On the eve of playing his first Top 14 final, Maxime Lucu delivered. The Union Bordeaux-Bègles scrum half returned to the imbalance that exists with Stade Toulouse and evokes the uncertainty that persists around the tenure of Matthieu Jalibert.
After the semi-final victory against Stade Français, there was a lot of euphoria. Is this still the case ?
Since the semi-final victory, there are a lot of expectations and a lot of excitement. We wanted to bring Bordeaux to the final. We have failed over the last three years and we really wanted to experience it with this group. This finale is the fulfillment of all the work we have done this season. We want to win the title because it has never been done before. The dominant feeling is obviously a lot of excitement.
Do you consider that the Stade Toulouse is a real mountain?
Toulouse is clearly a mountain given their season and their record. They are also used to it whereas for our part, it will be our first final so there is necessarily an imbalance in the experience even if in a match anything can happen.
How are you coping with the uncertainty surrounding Matthieu Jalibert’s tenure?
Matthieu suffered a tear so we knew he could recover faster than expected or vice versa. At the end of last week, the signals were positive. He trained away from the group to recover as quickly as possible. He will test himself this afternoon and he will make the decision whether to play or not. In any case, he prepared for this final by telling himself that there was a chance that he would play. If everything is good, he will be able to wear number 10. He is a player who is very important in the game.
From a personal point of view, what does this final mean to you?
It’s a lot of childhood memories and memories with parents during village festivals. At home, in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, it’s the village festival right now and before, we celebrated while watching the Top 14 final. It’s weird to think that today it’s It’s me who plays the final whereas before we watched it on TV.
Do you feel that there is more enthusiasm than usual from your audience?
We discover a lot of things. All season, there is a strong enthusiasm with the supporters but it is true that we felt a different enthusiasm at the start. These are good moments to experience. It is our first final and to discover that, it is beautiful. It is also nice to see everyone enjoying every moment. Even if there is the pressure of the result, we must not forget that it is extraordinary to be in the final.
Stade Toulouse is clearly the favorite, how are you coping with this situation?
It’s always good to say that we are arriving in a final where, given the difference between the two clubs, we are a bit like “Little Thumb”. Anything can happen in a match, there are game events that can change the situation. Toulouse thwarts all the teams but we showed during the season that we were capable of competing. Now, it’s up to us to put in the right ingredients, otherwise, we all know the result.
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