You are often presented as a phenomenon. What does this inspire you?
I started quite young, maybe that’s why they say that (smile). Everything happened very quickly for me. But I don't give much importance to that word.
Despite everything, haven't you reached a milestone this season?
We are well into the start of the season at UBB. Individually and collectively, since we are at the top of the table. I scored, but above all I had a lot of fun. I don't think I've revolutionized any area of my game in particular since the restart. But put everything together, it looks better and better.
“I think I'll be better as a winger: at international level, that's where I'll perform best”
You are installed on the wing, but you can play at the back and it is at the opening that you were trained. What does this palette bring to you?
The winger and full-back positions are similar in the current game in Bordeaux: we have a lot of freedom, we are allowed to take initiatives. It is in the static phases that it changes in relation to the placement. As a full-back, you have more responsibility for running the game and organizing the backfield. I think it's a position where you have to be more managerial. The two positions are complementary.
Which position do you feel best in?
I think I'm better as a winger. At the international level, this is in any case where I will be most successful. To play at the back, with the responsibilities that requires, I need to gain experience. In this respect, playing on the wing in very high level matches will help me perform well at the back. It takes me a little time to be a better guard.
What do you like about the winger position?
Finish the shots. We touch fewer balls, but they are very good. I take great pleasure in rewarding the team's work.
Is it an obsession with scoring?
Frankly, no. I think I'm one of the altruistic wingers. In any case, I don't set myself any goals in terms of testing. That's not what drives me. I know I can have a very good match without scoring. And conversely, I can be catastrophic and score two tries because someone gave me the two good passes.
Don't we need extra determination to score?
Yes. It’s true that we need that on the wing. When I moved from fullback to the wing, around 18 or 19 years old, I didn't have this mentality of finishing shots 100%.
In the French team as in Bordeaux, we push you to rezone. What does that ask you?
It's a question of reading. The reasoning is quite simple. When there is no space in front of us, it is because it is somewhere else. So you have to go get it. It requires reading the defenses, making the effort. Because running from one wing to another requires running a bit (smile)… We are given a lot of freedom in game plans. If we stay on our wing, we are out of place.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two new tries against Japan.
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
“I make sure to soak up everything I see and use it for the future”
Yannick Bru, your manager at UBB, explains that if the winger position is your priority, it is in anticipation of the France team. Do you approach it that way?
Yes. I have medium and short term goals. If I play more at the back in Bordeaux, I will be less good on the wing. But I don't think that in the French team I'm a priority at the back either. For me, it's important to work on this position. But I also work a lot on the full-back position since there are now a lot of 6-2s (on the bench, Editor's note). It's important to be able to cover two positions.
Noel McNamara, in charge of the UBB attack, says that you have progressed through contact with Damian Penaud. In what?
Damian has this ability to be in the right space. He reads defenses and balance of power very well. I watch his movements on the pitch a lot. It's not for nothing that he scores a lot of tries, he is often in the right place at the right time. He also scores a lot. Which shows that he is always in the right zone and not necessarily just on his wing. It's strong, I try to be inspired by it.
Your coaches usually say that you set very high goals for yourself. What place does this take in your daily life?
It requires being demanding of yourself. On and off the field. This obviously requires having a good lifestyle, otherwise, you inevitably pay for it sooner or later. On the pitch, that means doing extras, staying longer. But it’s also about listening to your body. If you don't train smart enough, you can't be good on the weekend.
You have played in a World Cup, a Six Nations and now a tour. Did this act as a maturity accelerator?
Everything has gone very, very quickly since I started as a professional. I maintain a certain form of carefreeness. But I try to make sure I absorb everything I experience to use it for the future. I played several tournaments with the under-20s, a tournament and a World Cup with the French XV, final phases with the UBB. All this allows you to gain experience.
“You have to know how to work something else. You can't be the same player at 18 and 35.”
Do you feel scrutinized now?
The element of surprise comes into play at the beginning. But it’s certain that after a while, people know us. You have to know how to reinvent yourself, work on something else. You can't be the same player at 18 and 35. That's why I'm thinking about developing the fullback position or my leadership.
Noel McNamara rightly says that you are progressing in leadership. Do you have a taste for that?
It's a request from the staff, I agree with it. But I like to take my time, not impose myself. It's not because I've competed in a World Cup and a Tournament that I have to give my opinion indiscriminately. I don't put too much pressure on myself about that. But I have to give my vision on the game when it is legitimate. To motivate guys, there are people better suited than me.
So you want to influence game choices?
In Bordeaux, there is a group for attack and another for defense. I'm in the second. Max (Lucu), Matthieu (Jalibert) and Romain Buros speak for the attack. But I have the same vision as them: so I will not paraphrase them. As I am in the defense group, I am also asked to speak. I do it at my own pace, I want to stay true to myself. I'm not someone who shouts and gets carried away by my emotions.
Your name evokes the attack. Do you have a particular taste for defense?
The general public doesn't necessarily see it, but the wingers have to organize the defensive line, replace the guys… I like that. In addition, in the defense group, we analyze in depth the teams we are going to play. It helps me in matches to understand their game system. Given my size, I have to think about things differently.
In charge of defense in Bordeaux, Christophe Laussucq says of you: “With his slightly frail 12-year-old size, he sticks to it. »
Since I was little, I have had this image. But I don't really care (smile): I have my qualities. That doesn't stop me from knowing how to tackle and bring guys down. Maxime Lucu is not the strongest in the world. And yet he makes 15 to 20 tackles per game while throwing himself.
Facing the Blacks is the promise of coming up against formidable wingers…
Since I was little, the Blacks have been the best team in the world. Even history. A France – All Blacks is a dream. (Will) Jordan, (Caleb) Clarke, (Mark) Telea, they have some nice clients. But playing (Chelsin) Kolbe or (Kurt-Lee) Arendse (the Springboks wingers, Editor's note), it's not bad either.
Supersonic Bielle-Biarrey
Flash. Louis Bielle-Biarrey is one of the fastest wingers in the Top 14: the Bordeaux player was “flashed” at 37.8 km/h. Even more telling, since more in tune with the reality of a sport which favors explosiveness, he cleared the 10 meters in just 1'54. The fruit of natural dispositions, obviously, but also of sustained work. “I challenge myself on my times. Particularly over 10 meters and, sometimes, at my maximum speed. I don't want to lose any. ” Logic. For Louis Bielle-Biarrey, it is a weapon. But not the only one. “I think I have other qualities than speed. »
