The Stade Toulousain hooker delivered a colossal match against Japan, even finishing the match on the third row. He returns to this start before the clash against the All Blacks.
How do you feel after this big match where the Blues scored more than 50 points ?
Peato Mauvaka : A little flushed, personally, but happy to come out with the victory. But we have a lot of areas to improve on defense where we were penalized a lot. We wanted to put too much aggression and commitment into the rucks and we were penalized several times. This will be a good point to work on in the coming week.
Jean-Baptiste Gros confided that at halftime, there were words in the locker room despite the score (31-0). What did he say to himself?
It wasn't a first half that we were used to giving, especially on our defense and in the ruck areas where we were penalized a lot. It was not in our image, but it is also the fact of wanting to do well and save the team by being more aggressive than the opposing team. Sometimes it didn't go our way. We will have a lot of work next week for the New Zealand reception.
Which position did you prefer to play: hooker or third row?
Wingman! (Smile) I felt good. I have already started playing Rugby at center. I also played several years on the third line, so I had the chance to also finish a match in this position. In training, I sometimes rotate in the third row. I know I will be ready if I end up in this position.
How do you view the All Blacks? We thought they were in trouble after the Rugby Championship and, in the end, they had two huge matches…
I always found the New Zealand team monstrous. We were lucky enough to beat them twice recently. Against Ireland, it was a big match in terms of commitment and “physicality”. We will be keen to answer that next weekend.
It's true that the last Six Nations Tournament didn't go very well for me. I wanted to show that I was still there
Peato Mauvaka
In 2021, you scored a double against them. At the 2023 World Cup, you also had a big game. This must bring back good memories…
I hope it will be a good memory next weekend (Smile).
How did the reunion with the Stade de France go, one year after the World Cup?
There was a lot of pride in coming back here, even if there is this bad memory of the quarter-final. We have started a new cycle and we must also think about now, not dwell on the past. Otherwise, we'll burn ourselves. We want to move forward and prepare for each match seriously. We had managed to prepare well for Japan and we now have to switch to New Zealand.
Federico Pestellini / Panoramic
Personally, how did you experience this reunion with the XV of France?
I wouldn't talk about bad memories, but it's true that the last Six Nations Tournament didn't go very well for me. I wanted to show that I was still there. So I gave it my all.
How did you find Antoine Dupont for his return with the XV of France?
He was having a bit of trouble! I gave him some advice on the nine position, if he wanted me to replace him… (Laughs) More seriously, he does good on the pitch, with his leadership. He takes us forward and we are happy to have him back with us.
Did he complain when you didn't score, at the end of the match, after his foot pass?
It was because of fatigue! On the first hook, I didn't know I had passed, then my field of vision reduced. I didn't know what to do anymore and I preferred to keep the ball.
Grégory Alldritt upset you by saying that you were in the red at the end of the match…
I'm not used to playing 80 minutes and especially finishing on the third line. So, I see what Greg feels in every match. But I think I was still less in the red than him (Laughs).
