'I’d like to cry, I’d like to scream': Ronan O'Gara frustrated after La Rochelle KO'd from Champions Cup
La Rochelle’s Head Coach Ronan O'Gara speaks to the media after the match. Pic: Billy Stickland
Harlequins defied their abysmal domestic form to knock Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle out of the Investec Champions Cup at Stade Marcel Deflandre and secure home advantage in the round of 16.
England fly-half Marcus Smith was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Jules Favre in the 56th minute but upon his return, Quins produced the match-winning moment against the 2022 and 2023 champions.
It was Tom Lawday who delivered the decisive score with eight minutes remaining by storming over with a strong run down the right wing after being given sight of the line by a long pass from Jarrod Evans.
Man of the match Smith converted the try and added a late penalty to begin the celebrations, in the process leaving European heavyweights La Rochelle to reflect on their shock group exit from the competition.
With the score tied at 17-17 heading into the final 10 minutes, Harlequins kept their nerve to complete a famous win that means they finish Pool Three in second place behind Leinster.
"Harlequins fully deserved their victory," said O'Gara.
"They were the better team. They showed a huge appetite — a bit like us last week ( during the narrow 25-24 defeat to Leinster in Dublin). But unfortunately, we weren't able to switch [gears]; we weren't able to find the motivation to win in front of our home crowd. It’s an unacceptable defeat."
Asked could he explain the contrast between La Rochelle's performance against Leinster and their defeat to Harlequins, O'Gara said: "I’d like to cry, I’d like to scream, I’d like to do a lot of things... I anticipated this after last Saturday, that it would be tough. Because in six days, we slackened off. We thought it would be okay for 80 minutes, but sport is never like that. We didn't take the initiative. We did the opposite of last week. We are beating ourselves.
"We played [timidly] before contact. We didn't want to hurt them, to dominate Harlequins. I asked the players why we didn't want to put 50 points on Harlequins and have the crowd on their feet, everyone celebrating. Where is that ambition? It’s not an easy night. It’s a huge disappointment. The club, myself, everyone — we lost a lot this evening. It’s unacceptable. Especially when you look at the number of opportunities we had to stay in the competition. That’s why I’m so frustrated."
Leyds; Niniashvili, Seuteni, Daunivucu, Bollengier; West, Berjon; Kaddouri, Latu, Atonio (capt), Kante Samba, Boudehent, Jegou, Botia, Cancoriet.
Lespiaucq, Wardi, Sclavi, Kuntelia, Alldritt, Fraindt, Favre, Nowell.
T Green; David, Northmore, Bradley, Murley; Smith, Friday; Kerrod, Walker, Delgado, Launchbury, Petti, Cunningham-South, Kenningham, Dombrandt (capt).
Riley, Hobson, Williams, Treadwell, Carr, Lawday, M Green, Evans.
Andrea Piardi (Ita)
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