Ibanez chat sparks Ashley-Cooper into life
The 31-year-old Australia international joined the French Top 14 outfit at the end of the World Cup in October but until Saturday had yet to get off the try-scoring mark in the league – he had managed one try in the European Champions Cup against Exeter.
The former Brumbies and Waratahs back put that statistic to bed in fine style against rock-bottom Oyonnax as Bordeaux romped to a seven-try 48-20 victory that keeps them fourth in the table.
"He's a player with a positive influence, but it was our right to expect more from him," said Ibanez, a former French international hooker.
"A world class player like him must expect his coach to expect him to take responsibility.
"He gave his answer on the pitch."
Ibanez described their pre-match chat as an "exchange" while Ashley-Cooper admitted they'd had "a constructive discussion".
Ashley-Cooper scored his first try on 18 minutes after an inch-perfect kick from Pierre Bernard allowed the wing to pluck the high ball out of the air before sprinting in to score.
Compatriot Blair Connor played the overlap perfectly four minutes later to send Ashley-Cooper in for his second try.
He completed his hat-trick 15 minutes from time, finishing off from the Oyonnax 22 a following Bordeaux move.
It was a welcome bonus for Bordeaux who had struggled to cross the whitewash this season, and have scored less than half as many tries as third-placed Toulon.
Agence France-Presse
