You played 65 minutes again on Saturday in the Challenge Cup. How did it go?
Not bad, it was better than what I had expected in terms of cardio. In the end, I was both disappointed to lose and happy with my recovery. I found some rhythm again, even if I still lack it. The Ospreys' long sequences were complicated to maintain.
Are you 100%?
I don't know, there is no 100% Rugby player. I still have to work, do treatment and strengthening on my Achilles tendon injury. Since the procedure, I have changed my routine to regain strength and power in my calf. I do a specific circuit with the physiotherapists every morning for around twenty minutes to kick off the day.
Your last match was 7 and a half months ago. How did you experience this period?
It went by quickly but it was also long. I had two surgeries during the summer break. The first was a cervical hernia, I lost all my strength in my left arm… The day after the match against Racing (June 1 in Auxerre, Editor's note), I had ants in my thumb (he shows a video of his paralyzed arm, Editor's note). It's a little scary at first. The most urgent thing was to free the compressed nerve, even if I still have a hole in my forearm (he shows). I still feel a difference between the two arms even if there is improvement.
We feel that there was anxiety…
Yes, I was scared, felt several emotions, I think it's normal. I asked questions to the specialists to understand what I could master and what I could not. I took the opinions of several people, other players, to find out what I could do and decide better.
The editorial team advises you
The editorial team advises you
And you returned to the billiards table right away…
A month later, I had my Achilles tendon combed, cleaned and scraped. It was thick and prone to tendinitis. We managed to manage that throughout last season and we decided that we would operate in the summer to be better afterwards. Everything was postponed because of the cervical and came together. But it's okay, it's much better than before.
Were you able to enjoy the summer a little?
We were able to spend some time together with my family because I had a week off. But otherwise, I have done a lot of strengthening and physiotherapy for several months. I worked quite a bit with Siate (Tokolahi).
You were coming off your best season in Pau. Were you frustrated with this forced stop?
Correct, I played quite a bit last year. I was a little disappointed not to launch the new season after that. But from the moment it was obvious that I had to do both interventions, I changed my mindset to focus on my rehabilitation, in order to be better when I return to the field. A rugby player's body always hurts but when you build muscle and get warm, it's okay.
-How did you feel when you knew that the last day against Perpignan would be without you?
I was there and suddenly, stop. It's true that a lot of emotions were mixed at the end of last season. More or less, we passed a milestone by being in the top 6. But we didn't succeed and I wasn't happy to end up with nothing. Then it was Sam's (his brother) last match so I was hoping to play with him. Unfortunately, that didn't happen…
The editorial team advises you
The editorial team advises you
The editorial team advises you
Was it difficult to digest?
I missed the latter with Sam but now I see things in a positive way. He came to spend 9 months here, we had good times, played together. It was really good to be with his family all this time, they were good memories.
Has he left again?
He stayed here for a few months after the end of the season but then he returned to New Zealand. He changed jobs, he works at home on the farm and does some coaching with his old team in Japan – the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights (in Kumagaya) – coached by Robbie Deans. He goes back and forth every 10 days or 2 weeks, he tries to see if he likes it and if he finds a balance.
He stopped at 36, the age you will be in 2026…
It's no secret, I'm closer to the end than the beginning. But I am 100% committed to doing things right. I hope I can have an influence on the group to continue working hard. I have this season and next under contract. I don’t know what I’m doing next week so next year… (laughs). We'll see, I said no (to continue, Editor's note), but we'll see (laughs). Our first boy was born in Pau, a second is arriving in April. So we will always have our little Palois even if we return to New Zealand later.
You returned to the group before returning to the field. Did he need it?
During the first 4 months, Seb and I agreed that I needed to focus on myself. Since I'm better, I've been able to participate in more meetings with the leaders to share before coming back, especially since Beka (Gorgadze) and Lucas (Rey) were also missing. Now I can try to help the team and do my job.
What message do you want to send as a leader?
We must continue to work on and off the field to advance our top 6 project […]. We have to stay focused and insist on the things we can control: it's easy to point out injuries, the referee or other things around a match. But the basis is our work.
