Pauline Bourdon-Sansus : « Avec les jeunes joueuses, j'ai un peu le rôle de maman »
La demi de mêlée de l’équipe de France Pauline Bourdon-Sansus revient sur le match Ecosse – France comptant pour la deuxième journée du Tournoi des Six Nations féminin. Si les Bleues ont signé un deuxième succès en autant de matchs (5-15), elles n’ont toutefois assuré cette victoire qu’en toute fin de rencontre. La demie de mêlée, sans langue de bois, évoque les difficultés liées à la mise en place d’un plan de jeu plus ambitieux, les pistes à creuser pour y remédier, et couve d’un regard bienveillant la nouvelle génération qui arrive déjà.
Pauline, contre l’Écosse, l’équipe de France a connu des difficultés pour terminer ses actions. Comment l’expliquez-vous ?
« C’est vrai que c’est un secteur qui pose pas mal de soucis depuis l’année dernière. On va regarder ça à la vidéo avec les coachs et travailler pour gommer ça. Je pense qu’on a trop laissé travailler les avants, et nous on a pris trop peu d’initiative derrière. On aurait peut-être dû ‘appeler’ un peu plus les ballons. Dans les zones de marque, on est souvent parties seule, ou à deux, donc c’était délicat de jouer. Il faut aussi dire que les Écossaises ont bien défendu. Elles nous coffraient en haut pour nous empêcher de jouer vite, et j’ai trouvé ça pénible. »
Est-ce une des conséquences du jeu plus déployé que vous mettez en place ?
« L’année dernière on n’osait pas toujours faire ces passes supplémentaires, alors oui, peut-être que parfois on perd le ballon. Mais plus cette situation va se présenter, plus on saura comment la corriger. Aujourd’hui (samedi), ç’a été compliqué, surtout en zone de marque où on n’a pas été précises du tout. Ça fait partie du jeu, on va repartir au travail. Il ne faut pas tout gommer, notre projet est en train d’avancer. Ça va rentrer au fur et à mesure des matchs. »
Voyez-vous déjà quelques pistes de travail ?
« Oui, notre système avec deux cellules de trois. Souvent la première travaille beaucoup plus que la deuxième. J’ai l’image de Romane (Ménager) qui traverse (la défense écossaise) et on est loin d’elle, on ne lui propose pas de solution. Il faut qu’on parvienne à être plus connectées et à finir les coups. Puis il y a ce problème dans les zones de marque. Aujourd’hui à la mi-temps le score aurait dû nous être plus favorable, alors qu’on est menées (5-3). Le groupe travaille fort et a toujours envie de mieux faire donc je n’ai pas de doute sur notre remise en question en vue du prochain match. »
Il y a beaucoup de jeunes joueuses dans le groupe, et vous vous retrouvez à 28 ans parmi les plus anciennes. Comment le vivez-vous ?
« Plutôt bien. C’est vrai que je suis plus sur la fin de carrière qu’au début. Je profite et je kiffe tous les instants qui arrivent. J’essaie au maximum d’accompagner les jeunes, de les guider, d’être positive. On essaie de faire avancer le groupe et moi la première j’ai un peu ce rôle de maman qui essaie de les accompagner au maximum. »
Parmi ces jeunes, il y a Kelly Arbey, qui a marqué son premier essai pour sa deuxième sélection…
« Je la côtoie en club, au Stade Toulousain, c’est une petite qui a envie de progresser, qui travaille fort. On voit qu’elle est déterminée, elle a plein de qualités qui vont lui permettre faire une grande carrière. Je lui souhaite en tout cas. Mais il faut aussi l’accompagner, comme les autres jeunes joueuses, car il ne faut pas que ça monte trop vite pour elles. On le fait au quotidien et Kelly apporte beaucoup de sourire et de joie au groupe, c’est agréable d’avoir une joueuse comme ça. »
Assia Khalfaoui fait aussi forte impression sur ce Tournoi…
« Elle est en train d’exploser, elle se sent bien dans le groupe. La semaine dernière, on l’a élue Femme du match, et ce n’est pas pour rien. Encore aujourd’hui (samedi), elle fait une très grosse performance. Elle nous permet toujours d’avancer, elle est efficace au plaquage. J’espère qu’elle va conserver cette dynamique, je n’ai pas de doute qu’elle va être une très grande joueuse. »
Comments on RugbyPass
Let’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
1 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
5 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
5 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
36 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
36 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
16 Go to comments