Substitute against Japan, the center of Racing 92 will find a starting place on Saturday against the New Zealanders, against whom he experienced serious defeats but also two recent successes.
In Marcoussis
His role as substitute against Japan
Gaël Fickou: “I experienced it very well. Even if it was a little cold on the bench… (smile) It's the life of a group, we can't play every match. There are great players in my position who are pushing and who have talent. Like Emilien (Gailleton), like Yoram (Moefana), like Paul Costes who are super players. It's a good thing for me because it puts me in difficulty and that's what it takes to get the best out of yourself -even. It’s up to me to be good to stay there.”
Competition in the French team
“I’ve always been challenged honestly. Before, it wasn't Paul Costes or Emilien, it was other players like Rémi Lamerat, (Wesley) Fofana, and so on, there have always been very great players in that position. It was never easy, I always had to fight. And I continue to fight and if one day I no longer have the level, I will return home (laughs).”
The challenge of the All Blacks
“I think it’s 50-50. We have as much talent as them. It's a very good team. They are performing very well at the moment. We saw it against England and Ireland. We will face a big match, against a very good New Zealand team. But we have the means to compete with them. We are going there with a lot of desire and a lot of enthusiasm. It’s a team we love to play against. These are always extraordinary matches, with an extraordinary atmosphere. There is always an incredible favor. It's always a separate match. A bit like the Crunch. This is one of the big matches that the French love to see on TV or at the stadium.
What reaction to the haka?
“We respect the haka but we are not afraid. They are men, we are men. And we don't go to war like some people do, we play a Rugby match. At first, when you're young, it's intimidating. Today, I respect him and I look at him. And I wait for the whistle to start. It’s always a duel of looks, a bit of confrontation… But for us, apart from respecting what they do, we just can’t wait for the whistle to start.”
Has the fear of a rout disappeared?
“I've already taken 50 against them… (smile) But honestly, I think that with this generation, everyone is alert. There is no one who thinks they are someone else, everyone is humble. We are preparing for this match in the best possible way. We are all questioning ourselves, even after a fairly large victory against Japan. So we are aware of the level of the New Zealanders, we do not take them lightly. And we know that if against them, we relax for just one second, it can be paid for in cash. We will be on alert for 80 minutes.”
The awakening of the All Blacks against England and Ireland
“I'm not surprised given the quality of their squad and their coach (Scott Robertson). I was sure that the last Rugby Championship (two defeats against the Boks, a setback at home against the Pumas, Editor's note), was just a start. I think it took them a while to build their team. It's a new team with a lot of young players. It's taking shape and we can see it, it's two matches that are extremely efficient. We know what to expect. The last two matches against them were very big matches. I hope this third one will be too. And that it will work in our favor.
Write a new page in Blue
“Every game counts honestly. Whether it's New Zealand or Argentina afterwards. They will count as much as each other. Afterwards, New Zealand is definitely always rewarding. Because it is the nation of rugby, it is the people of rugby. Against New Zealand, we know that we are challenging ourselves against the best.”
His busy start to the season with Racing 92
“Honestly, I feel really good. I feel in good shape. The break, mentally, did me good too. Because it's been a long time since we've been on vacation. Being here allows me to sleep well and recover well. And the fact of having played very little against Japan, I hope to arrive with a lot of freshness for the next matches. (When you're a substitute) You take fewer hits, it's as if I hadn't played against Japan. As if… (smile) There is much less fatigue. I'm used to playing 80 minutes, it has nothing to do with it.
