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'It isn't the divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, but there is pain and disappointment'
Laurent Travers has admitted he feels sad his extraordinary 14-year, co-coaching partnership with Laurent Labit is due to soon end.
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After successful stints together at Montauban, Castres and Racing 92, Labit is off to experience the Test arena after deciding to join the France national team set-up under incoming boss Fabien Galthie, a development that will leave Travers running the show at Racing all on his own.
Having won Top 14 titles at Castres and Racing, the pair seemed inseparable given their successful working arrangement as equal partners. However, that dynamic is about to to finally change, leaving a feeling of nostalgia in the air as Racing attempt to reach the end-of-season title play-offs.
“Of course (you feel nostalgic). It’s normal after 14 years and the results we had with all the players and staffs that we met,” said Travers in a rugbyrama.fr interview.
“This separation is difficult but it doesn’t erase what we achieved together for 14 years. Nor is it the divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. But as in any end, there is pain and disappointment.
Travers s’est confié pour Rugbyrama sur cette séparation programmée et a également dressé les contours du futur mode de fonctionnement du club francilien.
L'interview exclusive de Laurent Travers > https://t.co/bTQij4gGKH pic.twitter.com/5JjeaU1XvV
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) April 30, 2019
“There are choices that he and I take. A new challenge will be presented next season for him as for me, but what is certain is that everyone will want the other to succeed.
“Laurent had this opportunity to be an assistant, with superiors who will be Fabien Galthie and Raphael Ibanez. I wish him all the happiness and be able to succeed.
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“We sometimes had disagreements but I don’t know a couple who doesn’t have any. They were settled in an office and didn’t go further.”
Officiel : Comme attendu, Laurent Labit va quitter le Racing 92 et rejoindre le #XVDeFrance
> https://t.co/AHnzzUt7gF pic.twitter.com/XTxlPE2gzT— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) April 29, 2019
Having operated as a co-coach for so long, next season will be an adjustment for Travers as he goes it alone as a team boss. It’s a challenge he’s looking forward to.
“I will be head coach, that is to say that I will be in charge of all the professional and sports area of the club. It’s a great responsibility and I want to thank president (Jacky) Lorenzetti for the trust he gives me.
“This will not prevent me from continuing to be close to the field because that’s what I like, but I will manage a staff in the image of what can do Franck Azema in Clermont or Pierre Mignoni in Lyon,” he said, going on to admit that the names of Ronan O’Gara and Gonzalo Quesada have been in the mix to link up at Racing as an assistant coach.
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“Nothing is concrete, yet it’s true that they are part of the short-list. Ronan, I worked with him at Racing recently and I get on very well with him.
“The challenge would have interested him but unfortunately, he told me that we arrived too late because he had already given his word to another club (most likely La Rochelle). Out of respect, I did not ask him which one.
“Regarding Gonzalo, he knows the club and we have been in contact several times. I will not deny that there are contacts.
“What I can say is that next season, in addition to me, we will have a forwards coach, a three-quarters coach who will also be responsible for the attack and the strategy with me, and a coach of the defence. The staff will not be bloated, but everyone will have a well-defined mission.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments