Entering the game early in place of Jean-Baptiste Gros, Rochelais Reda Wardi played 77 minutes at the Stade de France which he will remember all the longer because his direct opponent was his club partner Joel Sclavi. A look back at an unusual evening…
It's a habit that we're getting into in the French team, the pillars coming in after three minutes…
It’s sure, there was the same thing with Georges-Henri (Colombe, NDLR) last week. He had managed to play a good game. Tonight, it was me, but I still have a thought for “JB” Gros, because it made me sad for him to see him go out so quickly. I hope he recovers quickly, because he was really in good shape. Yes, I have a big thought for him. Afterwards, when you wear the Blues jersey, it's just fun. You don't think about anything other than enjoying the moment. This is what I tried to do…
You also found yourself face to face with a direct opponent that you knew by heart, which was not necessarily planned…
Yeah, for sure. (smile) With Joël Sclavi, we know each other well. I've already had it all week in La Rochelle, Joël… So it's sure that it was a different match, even if it had to remain an opponent like any other when you wear the blue jersey.
Was it different to face him in the Argentina jersey? Have you found another Joel in “Puma” mode?
We exchanged two or three words during the match. I told you, we know each other well, we have played together for several seasons. During the match, we did what we had to do and afterwards, we sat down to chat a little.
To take a step back, your efficiency was once again astonishing this evening, as during the other two tests…
Because we worked hard all month. The coaches have placed a big focus on efficiency, whether in attack or defense, because it is essential at high level not to be effective in just one area. We wanted to do a big tour with this group. I think that after these three matches, we can be proud of ourselves when we return to the club.
How does a forward feel when he sees his three-quarters score, punishing the opponent with a counter-attack?
We work on all that in training. When we get the ball, we try to place it quickly in the right areas that will allow us to play efficiently. It's easier when we have players who are capable of making the difference individually… With the speed they put in and their intelligence of the game, it's simpler for us and it allows us to score quickly.
Defensively, you also recovered two balls in the goal against the Pumas…
ÇAlso, it can be worked on. Believe me, we work on him in training all the time, not just since this tour. Since I have been here with the French team, we have tried to work on these attitudes every week. There is no coincidence when we manage to reproduce this kind of gesture in a match.
