Just back from injury and still sparkling in his new position as second center, as evidenced by his double and his defensive activity last night against Bordeaux-Bègles at the end of the 7th day of Top 14, Rochelais Teddy Thomas no longer has seemed so fulfilled for ages. A good omen, a few days before the announcement of the list of the XV of France for the November tour? If he has no illusions about his international status, the three-quarter with 28 selections, present at a press conference last night, could well see himself as a training partner.
We left you with a double in Toulouse, for the first start of your career as second center. You did it again as soon as you returned from an adductor injury, against Bordeaux-Bègles. The sign of a sparkling form?
Physically, everything is fine. We worked a lot during these four, five weeks to get me back on my feet. I had this match in mind. It was a bit ambitious, but I knew I could qualify for come back for this match. I thank the medical support and the physical preparation unit at Stade Rochelais for getting me back on my feet, I feel very, very good.
It is often said that life is good on the wing. It is especially in the center, for you, now?
At the moment I prefer it in the center, indeed (smile). But now I would like to make the wingers shine so that they can score tries. Because I have often been in their position waiting for the balls. For the moment, I haven’t delivered any yet but it’s something I want to do.
[ud83dudcc8ud83dudcc9LES NOTES DE La Rochelle – UBB]
In a match marked by indiscipline, La Rochelle was able to get the better of UBB (32-22). Teddy Thomas once again shone in the center, while many Girondins were unrecognizable…https://t.co/2ihe6SQG3w
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) https://twitter.com/RugbyramaFR/status/1848247763680514055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Despite everything, you score twice in a winger position, against UBB…
I score twice in a winger position, indeed (laughing). It’s true that the balloons went all the way to the wing. It’s good, we really managed to get behind, to take over at the frontlet them rest and not continually exhaust themselves as we sometimes do.
Can you come back to the genesis of this repositioning at the center?
It’s a desire that I’ve had for some time to try versatility in the center, so I discussed it during the preseason, this summer, with the coaches, and they gave me their confidence. I’ve worked quite a bit to try to tickle a few minutes in the center and it’s going well for the moment. But hey, it’s only two matches, the hardest part is yet to come.
Your understanding with Ulupano Seuteni was obvious in Toulouse in mid-September. Your injury in this last attack – where many already saw you crossing the field – must have generated contrasting feelings…
I was happy to have been able to play in 13 with La Rochelle. And, with “UJ”, we found each other really quickly, we worked together a lot during training. Obviously it was a little darkened by this injury, but I had no worries about my rapid return to competition because it was an injury that I had already had on the left side, so I knew it by heart the protocol to follow. We followed him and it went very well.
Your very aggressive defensive builds disrupted the Bordelais this Sunday. We feel really comfortable on the defensive level, despite few benchmarks in the position…
Yes, frankly, I’m comfortable. I went up quickly because opposite there are arrows, too. I experienced this when I was a little younger, when I was their age and I ran fast too (smile), so I had no other choice but to climb quickly so as not to make them take too much speed. The guys made me work a lot with them, they gave me a lot of confidence to release myself in defense. I knew that a lot would be expected of me on defense and, for the moment, I feel comfortable in that position. I feel comfortable with the guys around me and I hope that I look good to them and that they are happy with me.
The public seemed totally won over when you left the field (58e). Belle ovation…
It warms my heart (smile). This is not a public that turns its back. When things go wrong, these supporters know how to say it because there are demands and that’s normal. But, this evening, it really warms my heart to see the public giving me a standing ovation for my outing. For my family and I, honestly, it’s really cool!
In your opinion, could scoring four tries in two matches be likely to give ideas to Fabien Galtier (coach of the French XV, Editor’s note), a few hours before the announcement of the Blues list for the November tour?
I don’t think so and it’s something that no longer crosses my mind. There are really the necessary qualities in the French team group to be able to – I’m not going to say do without me but – not call me. I no longer have my place at all in this French team as I said quite a few times already at the start of the season but if I have to be called to be a training partner or anything, to help the group, I will obviously do it (smile). Because it’s always a privilege to go up to Marcoussis. But I am completely clear on the situation: my time has passed.
