Champions Cup – Rory Cocotte (Stade France): “I think referee Luke Pearce has a great future”
Despite his team’s defeat, Stade Français scrum-half Rory Kokot chose to stick to the proposed content, especially considering the match against UBB next week. However, after the chaos that followed the two consecutive yellow cards of Kakovin and Kastets, he lightly joked about the performance of match referee Luke Pearce.
What are your feelings after this latest defeat in the Champions Cup?
We are very disappointed with the result. We really wanted to win this last match. But I am a little proud of the content of the meeting. Especially after our attitude the past few weeks. I think we got some of our rugby back, but we lost some details in some areas of the game. Against a team that is generally consistent in all areas, we have to be able to compete.
Despite the lack of real stakes, we still felt Stade Frances was very determined…
Absence of stakes is an expression often used in the press, but we wanted to play. for us. For our supporters in the stadium when it’s -3°. And above all for the club’s values. This is what we wanted to present. We had a good match in some areas. Compared to our last outings in recent weeks we wanted to progress in others. Unfortunately, there are things we cannot control.
It has to say?
Honestly, what happened around the 70th or 71st minute, I had never experienced in my entire career. I have known Luke Pearce (match referee) for a long time. He is a very serious man, who knows rugby very well. I have no doubt that he would never do anything negative in a rugby match. Especially since he knows the rules better than us… I have faith in him, I think his future is bright.
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Champions Cup – Stade Francis – Stormers: Summary of the Parisians’ defeat
Wasn’t your scrum penalized too much?
I think other areas of the game have penalized us more. There are details, obviously, to sort out, especially against a team that is very strong in this area and specializes in playing very long scrums. It is their DNA. We should be better at it.
Can we talk about that defense on third line center Morabe in front of your try line?
We, small boys who don’t have a big frame, should be able to do such things (laughs).
You haven’t played since December 3 against Stade Toulouse. How did you judge your performance?
At my age, it feels good to cut a little bit (laughs). More seriously, I am proud of the team on the content produced.
