“Louis Bielle-Biarrey is incredibly fast, isn't he? » Scott Roberston is therefore proof that we can scrupulously scan the international scene as the All Blacks do to prepare for test matches and, despite everything, still be surprised. When commenting on the dazzling counterattacks of the French XV on Saturday evening, the New Zealand coach still seemed marked by the speed of the UBB winger. There's something there.
The sprint he unleashed in the 51st minute of this brutal match, to catch a small kick from Thomas Ramos after which he scored the try which revived the Blues, went on repeat on social networks this week . All accompanied by a statistic: it was “flashed” at 34.9 km/h. We are still far from his small personal best (37.8 km/h). But it's still not bad with almost an hour of high-intensity gaming in the legs.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey is fast. Very fast. And he knows it. “I think I have other qualities, but it’s certain that speed remains my superpower,” he breathes, using a term commonplace by members of the staff during Fabien Galthié’s first mandate to designate the strong points of the players.
“Massive Finish” Weapon
As rare as it is dazzling, its maximum speed is indeed a “massive finishing” weapon at the international level. However, his ability to reproduce runs at more than 36 km/h in a match is probably not as formidable as his propensity to clear 10 meters in less than two seconds. With a record time of 1.54 seconds over the distance. In a sport that promotes explosiveness, that makes all the difference, recalls Thibault Giroud. “Over 10 meters, he is regularly less than 1’55”,” insists the performance manager who took care of the Blues from 2019 to 2023. “It’s the best on the planet. »
There are necessarily innate qualities behind such speed. But not only as Louis Bielle-Biarrey tells us: “When I was in Grenoble, there were people who intervened specifically for speed. We had classes to work on speed but also on the way of running. I did it from 13 to 18 years old. Obviously, beyond natural qualities, running technique develops speed. »
“It’s not that it’s a waste of energy, but I don’t think I can run much faster now.”
Nothing revolutionary extends the Bordeaux winger. But effective enough to sharpen its potential. “It was quite simple: it started from the sheathing, we did a lot of 1080, a kind of machine that puts resistance on you (Editor's note, via a cable). We also worked on how to place the foot. Afterwards, it becomes more natural on the pitch. »
Franck Copy, coach of US Talence sprinter Hugo Cerra, appreciates the result. “All the placements are quite fair,” he observes, rewinding the winning sprint of “LBB” against the Blacks. “The knees are high, the push is complete, with a free segment in amplitude… And above all, at his maximum movement speed, he continued to combine frequency and amplitude with a strong push on the ground. It is the ideal biomechanics to generate speed, he undeniably has the physical qualities to “run fast”. »
“He doesn’t waste time”
How much? Trying to find out what his potential would allow him to “touch” over 100 meters does not make much sense in relation to rugby. We still asked Franck Copy the question. “With work, he would easily be under 11 seconds. And closer to 10 seconds. » Even if he continues to challenge himself on his times, this is not Louis Bielle-Biarrey's priority. “Not that it's a waste of energy, but I don't think I can run much faster now.” »
Which does not mean that the winger with 9 tries in 12 caps has reached his glass ceiling according to Fabien Galthié: “He is becoming an international class player. Maybe he already is. He understands everything, he doesn't waste time. » Here is yet another coach who noticed it.
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