The third row of Union Bordeaux-Bègles, Temo Matiu, will be able to return to competition during the trip to Castres this Saturday at 9 p.m., after a period of forced rest due to a concussion suffered during the victory at Vannes. He doesn’t hide his impatience after missing his team’s last three games.
We left you in Vannes with a rather impressive shock. How are you ?
At first I got a little dizzy and felt a little strange but now everything is fine. I returned to training and I am very happy to be able to resume with the group because it was a bit long. Above all, at the beginning, you can’t do much and I only started with a little cycling and then a little running, but it also allowed me to regenerate. It also feels good.
Have you ever experienced such a shock?
I have just experienced my first two concussions, in Clermont then in Vannes. I had never experienced that. It’s true that it feels a little weird. This is where we can perhaps measure the intensity of the Top 14. I wasn’t lucky, but since then, I’ve been working a lot on my neck to avoid that. If we work on the neck, the head moves less during collisions.
Temo Matiu, son of international Legi Matiu, has long favored basketball over rugby. Chase away the natural, it comes back at a gallop… Now it’s on the Top 14 grounds that it impresses!
Portrait of this 23-year-old athlete.L’article : https://t.co/bgB8T3Eyhe pic.twitter.com/xAbACFNdeo
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) https://twitter.com/RugbyramaFR/status/1848424015511359619?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Everything has gone very quickly for you since your arrival at UBB. Did you expect to play so much when you discovered the Top 14?
The goal was to come and play. I didn’t think I would have so many opportunities from the start, but I’m very happy. I’m trying to keep it going.
How did you experience your call-up with the XV of France in November?
I was also a little surprised, but I was very happy to go up to Marcoussis and experience this adventure. It was short, it was only two days, but I was still very happy to be there and to be able to discover this group. I had already been to Marcoussis for training courses with France 7, but it’s true that it was very funny to be there with the XV of France group.
As announced earlier today, Jalibert is not part of the group of 42 to prepare for Argentina. Penaud is also absent. Another UBB player appears, third row Temo Matiu.
Full list and info > https://t.co/gzhPJX7twy pic.twitter.com/b1ZWuvDPxa
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) https://twitter.com/RugbyramaFR/status/1858233516871630932?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
How are you approaching this match in Castres?
We have just achieved good results in the Champions Cup and we are on good momentum, but we know that we have to be wary of this big Castres team which is very dense, which has not been beaten at home for a long time. It will be necessary to submit a perfect copy, particularly in terms of discipline. The Castres have a big pack, so the start is sure to be important. We know that we will be expected.
In your first months in the top 14, what is the biggest difference you have noticed compared to your seasons in Biarritz?
Compared to Biarritz, it was above all the intensity and speed of the game. I was able to measure that the number of tasks to be done was much greater. We also had to adapt to the repetition of tasks.
Do you feel like the UBB game suits you perfectly?
It’s true that when there are spaces, I like to run with the ball (laughs). It sure helps a lot to be in this UBB team, which manages to put in place long offensive sequences and inevitably spaces open up.
In which sector do you still have room for improvement?
I started rugby a little late, so I think I can progress in all areas, especially on fundamentals, positioning, everything that is technical too. I am looking to progress in all areas because I know I still have a lot to learn.
