Author of a remarkable performance when he had his first start against a major nation on the occasion of his eighth selection, New Zealand scrum-half Cam Roigard told us about his trickster try, scored after intercepting Grégory Alldritt behind the blue scrum.
What is your feeling after this narrow defeat?
We weren't specific enough. The French took advantage of our mistakes. We committed hand errors which wasted some good testing opportunities, and these could have hurt the Blues. Instead, they stayed in the game and were allowed to keep hoping. The match itself was very tough, and we must salute the performance of the French, particularly in terms of intensity. We feel like we've created a lot of things, but we haven't gotten to the end of it.
You clearly had the advantage at half-time, but the Blues reversed the pressure directly after the second half…
We actually felt it. I think we couldn't have started this second half worse. This try completely revived the French while we led by seven points at the break. And afterwards, we know how it happens here: the public gets excited, the players transcend themselves, and everything becomes more delicate. We should have stayed in their half, kept them away from our goal line and they would have had a harder time getting back into the game. Still, it was a great match indeed, and I am very proud to have been part of it.
Also read:
Fall tour – Cam Roigard, heir to a position steeped in history
Tell us about your attempt where you intercepted Grégory Alldritt…
I saw that their scrum was under pressure and therefore Alldritt was also under pressure to get the ball out. I did my job as a scrum-half, which consists of further increasing this pressure on the third center line and the opposing scrum-half. I thought our scrum was excellent, and this test rewards their fantastic work. Ditto on the touchline, where we were dominant in the first half. Coming back to the try, I was simply in the right place at the right time: I saw him free his arm to attempt this pass after contact, and I jumped at the opportunity. I myself was surprised to find myself with the ball in my arms!
You had your first start against a major nation, how did you approach your match and especially your duel against Antoine Dupont?
It was great to face a player like him. It does good for our game, it popularizes it, especially in France and we were able to see it this evening! I also know that in New Zealand, a lot of people were waiting to see this duel between us. I hope I have done my part of the job, even if I am aware that I still lack experience in this type of meeting. It will come, but I loved competing against him. I am a competitor, and I always want to compete against the best. I have already played against and with very great players in Super Rugby, so this match is a great experience for me.
In New Zealand, there is always a lot of debate around the number 10, but it seems to us that the number 9 is not easy to wear either given the prestige of your predecessors like Piri Weepu or Aaron Smith… How does it do you live?
It is obviously a great honor to wear this black jersey flocked with the number 9, and even that of the number 21. As you said, such great players have worn it before me… Besides, you have forgotten my old one. club partner, TJ Perenara who is also one of the great All Blacks scrum-halves. I'm just trying to do my best to take this jersey even higher than where I was given it.
Do you have a preference between Beauden Barrett or Damian McKenzie in number 10?
No, not really. You know, they are two huge players. It's a privilege to play for them. It was the first time I started a meeting with Beauden this evening, and I had a blast. He has a lot of experience, always keeps his cool… and on the other hand when you play with “D-Mac”, you know that something can always happen so that’s cool too!
