Captain of Stade Montois, South African Willie Du Plessis seems to be off, at 34, for another full year in the Landes. At the start of the week, the former RCT player returned to the first block made by his team, spoke about the expectations linked to the second and told how fulfilled he was today in Mont-de-Marsan.
Three defeats, two victories, what do you think of this first block?
The first three matches were complicated. It’s never easy to bow twice at home. Behind that, there was pressure. It was hot, but we didn’t change the way we worked because we told ourselves it would pay off. We finished with two great victories against SA XV and Brive. In these matches, we found our collective strength, that’s what we were missing. If we had won our first two matches at home, I don’t know if we would have managed to win at Soyaux and against Brive. I prefer to finish the block like this. We have regained confidence.
Has the season started?
There are still a lot of matches left. I think this weekend’s meeting is very important, because if we win, we can say that the season is really underway. We still have work ahead of us, but the good thing is that the collective strength and the state of mind are still there.
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Are you free in your heads?
What is certain is that it feels very good to finish the first block like this. It gives confidence to the whole group, as well as to our defensive or offensive system. We know that everything we do works. Now, after an “off” week, we are ready to attack the second block, where we will have to make up for lost points.
How do you plan on traveling to Nice?
I have never seen such a good level since my arrival in France, in Pro D2. Every match is intense, very hard. Nice is experiencing its first year in Pro D2, it’s never easy there. It will be a recovery match, in which we will want to maintain our state of mind, our confidence and our dynamic. I expect a very direct meeting. The team will need to be good at the basics of rugby, in terms of winning, discipline and defense.
I assume that if you work hard and work well, it will pay off.
What would you like to improve on during this block?
I want us to keep the same energy, on defense, as that displayed during the last two matches. We showed that Stade Monois is still a collective strength. In terms of camp outings, I think we’re not too bad. We have to find our system in attack, keeping the ball with a little more depth. What we have put in place is working. It’s just a question of feeling.
On a personal level, how do you view your start to the season?
Look, I feel great. This is my fourth year here. I am mentally and physically fit. This is all positive.
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As captain, how did you get through the difficult start to the championship?
It wasn’t always easy, but I told the guys that we had to keep the same state of mind during the week. I assume that if you work hard and work well, it will pay off.
Since your arrival in the Landes, you have only played one match after another. What is your secret, at 34?
I do a lot of recovery after each meeting. In the weight room, I do little things, exercises that suit me. I don’t do really heavy stuff like 20 year old guys. This year I also lost a lot of weight. I feel good physically and mentally. I try to enjoy each day and that goes a long way. Today I’m 34, but I feel like I’m 28. In fact, I’m a bit like French wine (laughs).
Are you experiencing a second youth in the Landes?
Yes. Let’s just say that I really enjoy training. When it’s a bit boring to go to the stadium every morning, you have to start thinking. This is not my case at all.
I wasn’t in my right mind to play
You seem to be reborn after not always easy years in Bayonne and Biarritz…
It’s certain that in Biarritz, the first year, I had a lot of concussions. The second, I had to play seven matches. It wasn’t easy… When I signed for Mont-de-Marsan, I told my wife that it was the last chance, the last challenge. In one month, I found pleasure again and rediscovered a love for rugby. Now, I have been here for four years and I have found everything I wanted.
Have you thought about stopping your career after Biarritz?
Yes, but it was mainly because of the concussions. I wasn’t in the right mind to play. It was a bit hard for my family and me. In my misfortune, there was the Covid and “fortunately”, in quotes, because it allowed me to take three or four months at home to think carefully.
Your contract ends in June. What will your future hold?
I would love to continue playing. How many years? I don’t know, but I would like to re-sign here. However, to this day, I am not focused on that. I want to stay focused on the game, the team and the rest will come later. Afterwards, to answer your question, yes, I want to continue.
For two years, you have defended the colors of the Netherlands. Will you join the selection in the coming weeks?
I will not go with the selection in November, because we will play against Biarritz and Dax. On the other hand, we will see in February, for the 6 Nations B.
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