To tell the truth against Racing, we still don’t know if there were one, two, three or four Setariki Tuicuvu on the pitch. Placed back on his wing after his recovery at the back against Bordeaux-Bègles, the Fijian scored a double… in thirteen minutes! First by being at the conclusion of an inspiration from Baptiste Serin (7-0, 6e) by scoring the first try of the match. The solid “Seta” (1.75m for 94kg) did it again seven minutes later when, opportunistic after a ball carried messed up five meters away, he moved inside and placed the ball on the line (12-7, 13e).
“He was exceptional”
If he showed his composure and his finishing qualities, the native of Nadi multiplied. Seven defenders beaten, four crossings, 85 meters covered, seven tackles (including two missed), one try saved, two aerial duels won, the timid Tuicuvu impressed. Jérémy Sinzelle, center holder, confirms its importance: “He was exceptional. Yes he scored a double, but he also saved us a try from five meters. He was good under high balls, whether offensively or defensively. He moved well and helped us to redistribute ourselves between forwards and three-quarters.”
Undefeatable last season, more discussed this season, “Seta” had the opportunity, for his eighth start, to show himself. Before the reception in Pau, Pierre Mignoni had asked him to “set the alarm”. It is clear that the message has gotten through. Enough to make the coach smile at a press conference: “I told him that he needed to light up a little. Good. Finally, he has to read the press. So much the better, that does us good.” And the main interested party responds, hilariously: “Ah yes, my alarm went off!”
“Directly, I say to myself: “Wow, the hat-trick!” »
Wide awake, sure of himself, the Fijian international (29 years old, 12 caps) almost scored a hat-trick. He says: “It was the end of the match, I knew they were going to hit the short goal kick to try to recover. I see that Dany [Brennan] turn your back. I call him to watch the ball… But I don’t know if he heard me (laughs). The winger misses the ball, I catch it and immediately I say to myself: “Wow, the hat-trick!” But I see the “9” come back. I sharpen it, I move forward a little and the winger catches me. manages to do an offload for “Sinz”. I wanted to score so much that I even tried a pick and go (laughs). Well, no hat-trick but we still scored the bonus try. That’s the main thing! »
“Valuable for the group”as Paolo Garbisi describes it, Setariki Tuicuvu reminded us against Racing 92 of the player he was. Able, while he was called into question, to pull off a boss match. Solid.
