They are fourteen. To sweat blood and water in training since the first course, mid-January in Nice. To participate in the sessions in opposition before being released, on Thursday, to return to the club and tread the lawns of the Top 14 when twenty-eight of their companions are preserved, incubated, to play the matches of the Six Nations Tournament. A fate not always enviable. Especially for those who, neither injured nor promoted, have not left this list, this airlock for the great French team since the first day on the Côte d'Azur. Almost six weeks ago.
These are called Selevasio Tolofua, Louis Carbonel, Gervais Cordin, Kylan Hamdaoui, or Gabriel Ngandebe and Killian Geraci. They are still awaiting their first selection. Hoping to join the bench. Like Jean-Baptiste Gros, who entered halftime in Cardiff, or Dylan Cretin, two short minutes of play in Cardiff. Neo-capped them. Like, at the start of the Tournament, Boris Palu and Cameron Woki. "Six weeks has been a long time," forces Gabriel Ngandebe to smile.
" It's hard but I don't want to complain. I am closer to playing than those who are not there… ”
Gabriel NgandebeThe Montpellier winger begins to have ants in his legs, even if he tries to do good luck against bad luck. “I live wonderful moments. I profit, I learn, I store. It's good to be there. A lot of players would like to be in my place, so I don't take my head. ” Positive is the key word. “It is better to be in the group, to lay pawns on the future, completes Kellian Geraci, the second-line from Lyon, incidentally double world champion with the Bleuets. We must take a step back, tell ourselves that we are when in the group that is being built. It's already huge. It is not a waste of time, especially when you are young. We work a lot, we learn things. You have to take this. Like pleasure, something that brings you, and not like negative… ”
It's sincere. This does not prevent patience from being tested. "I hope to have a chance in every game," admits the pocket wing of the MHR. After, it's like that. These are the choices of the coach. It's hard but I don't want to complain. I am already here. I am closer to playing than those who are not there ... "Not winning the match reward can however annoy and undermine. "Of course there is a little frustration. We all want to play, to have a first selection. And we know we have to go get it. But it must be taken in hindsight, asserts Geraci calmly. I managed to take it. You have to be patient and keep training to hope to win this selection. ” “It's frustrating but good frustration. I continue to work and, if the coach calls on me, I will try to answer this, ”continues Ngandebe. Without ever giving in to weariness? A long silence. Embarrassed. "Pfff ... Obviously, I want to play. But I don't know what to answer. I'm taking my pain patiently, let's say… ”
" The training is so intense that it replaces that of the matches a bit "
Killian GeraciLike the front of the Lou, he insisted that "it's not a waste of time". "I've improved. In defense, where I get used to going strong. And on the move. " Killian Geraci appreciates him "being with guys who make you gain confidence, a new dimension. We don't work here anymore, and we gather lots of advice. ” Often in opposition training which "helps to dissipate frustration". "Because you don't play here, but you don't play a lot in club either because Pierre Mignoni prefers to line up the players who stayed all week, recalls the Lyon second-line, only twelve minutes on the field (facing the 'UBB) in 2020. So it's good to play in training. The sessions are so intense that it somewhat replaces that of the matches. It makes it possible not to be on the street when we resume. I don't fear a lack of rhythm. ”
Gabriel Ngandebe is less convinced. Despite their harshness and intensity, the training "does not replace a game ... I am starting to miss a bit of playing." It may be for Sunday in Edinburgh, these two players having a real chance of being promoted to the bench. They will then display the same banana as Dylan Cretin. The Lou's third row only spent two minutes on the lawn of the Millennium. But two unforgettable minutes which justify all the efforts made during training.
"It gets worse," smiles the Lyonnais. It is pleasant, very pleasant even, to honor your first selection. These are great weeks to live in, with a weekend that ends perfectly. It's all beneficial ... Even if the playing time is short, because there are not twelve changes like in Top 14. It is therefore normal to wait a bit before returning. There is no frustration. I was just happy and satisfied. Even if it was two minutes, the match was not yet won or lost. It was a great time. ” The one where we finally leave the list of alternates.
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