On the eve of facing Argentina, the captain of the Blues presented himself at a press conference this Thursday, after a final training gallop on the snowy lawn of the Stade de France.
A risk of relaxation after the victory against the All Blacks?
“It’s a real threat coming tomorrow (Friday). We are aware of it. Of course, we only had six days but we are used to having this format in the Top 14. The danger comes mainly from what the Argentinians have been able to show in recent months. To go and win in New Zealand, to have beaten South Africa at home during the Rugby Championship, it’s not trivial. (…) It is a team which puts a lot of intensity into its game and which has progressed in its offensive animation. The Argentines are offering more and more danger.”
The new changes in the starting XV
“It is not the system that adapts to the players but the players who adapt to the system. This is a reality that has been true since the start of (Fabien Galthié’s) mandate. Whatever the compositions we had, whether because of Covid, on summer tours, for some injuries or other reasons, the France team remained efficient with the same playing identity .”
Mallia has a knowledge of the game and rugby qualities which allow him to be good in all situations
Facing his Toulouse teammate, Juan Cruz Mallia
“We know what he is capable of, whatever position he plays. Beyond his physical qualities, he has a knowledge of the game and rugby qualities which allow him to be good in all situations. We have been warned. The match he played in Ireland (last Friday) gives us an additional alert. I hope he won’t be too good tomorrow evening, that he keeps the energy to come back to Toulouse after… (smile)»
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“This kind of reward is always nice. It’s always a lot of pride to receive this kind of trophy, even if the ones we chase after are always the collective trophies, the ones that provide the most emotion because they are shared with our teammates, with everyone. the people who support us.”
