“The best atmosphere? Bayonne, it's a 100% Rugby crowd!”

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Still held by Joël Koffi (329), the record appearances in Pro D2 is increasingly threatened. Notably by Francisco Fernandes, the pillar of Béziers, and his 316 matches before the 12^e day which will take place on November 28 and 29. His best anecdote, the most aggressive player, the warmest atmosphere or his most beautiful friendship, “Chico” indulged in At the time of Rugby for our section Memories of Pro D2.

The match record in Pro D2

“It’s one of the challenges I set for myself. Because after a while, rugby is always a bit the same, if there aren't a few challenges to push me, it's not through weight training that I'm going to do it, isn't racing or speed, that's not my thing (laughs). So, every year, I look at what there is to do. I think it's still going to be complicated this year, I missed a whole block. I'm missing 13 games, something like that… It's doable, but I have to come back quickly (he's been injured since mid-October, but is now fit, Editor's note). And that would allow me to finish in style since it will be my last season. At 39, I've had my fill! »

Your best memory?

“My best memories are mainly those of maintaining my skills, particularly during the first two or three years with Béziers. It came down to a lot on the last day, often against Aurillac. There was so much cohesion in the group, with the wives, the families, we had big parties in a tent (next to the Mediterranean stadium at the time, editor's note). »

Your worst memory?

“It’s going to be the death of a friend when I was at Tyrosse (where he made his debut in Pro D2 before going down to Federal 1, editor’s note). He played in reserve, I was in first place. We were playing the qualifiers, he died on the pitch, sitting on the ground… He was one of my best friends. After that, the week was a bit complicated. The reserves had stopped playing even though they had qualified, we continued because we were playing to move up to Pro D2…”

The strongest player you have encountered or worked alongside?

“Among the great players I played with, there was Rémy Martin who arrived from Montpellier, who knew the French team. There was also Jordan Puletua, a lot of talent but a little lazy! That said, when he arrived in Carcassonne, he stopped going out, he lost weight and he started to party. »

The match played in the worst weather conditions?

“For me, it was a match in Biarritz, with this pitch they have, horrible, we couldn't run. In fact, when we were running, we couldn't see our crampons because it was raining so much. At the start of the match, you say to yourself, it's okay, and the more you play, the worse it gets. When we were doing the scrums we had grass that was above our ankles. Suddenly, we were sinking, it was horrible. And when you're fat, you're in a scrum, you're out of the scrum, you can't even run anymore, it's hard… Afterwards we don't care, we won! »

Your best anecdote from before or after a match?

“The moments that I keep in mind are mainly the bus returns. One of which, on the way back from Biarritz, I was so burned out that I fell asleep in the toilet. I didn't see it coming, I went to the bathroom to urinate and I fell asleep because I was so stuffed. We will say that it was part of rugby, but we no longer have the right to do so. We're already in everyone's crosshairs, we're going to calm down a little. »

On this topic: worst bus ride?

“The worst bus journeys are to and from Vannes! Over two days you do 12 hours on the way there, 12 hours on the way back. You leave Vannes, it is 11:30 p.m. or midnight, and when you get off the bus it is daylight. Except that there is no sleeper bus because of the absence of belts. Frankly, it's horrible, especially since you rarely win in Vannes. I never won there even though we often took bonus points. »

The best audience or the best atmosphere?

“Bayonne!” Well, it's true that it's almost at home, but over there, it's huge. There is an audience that is magical. Vannes is not bad too, but it's a little more respectful, there's not too much noise either, it's not the same. Bayonne is truly 100% rugby. There are real spectators who yell at the players, who insult the referee. It’s a real crowd that supports their team. »

The fairest or least fair player?

“It’s not a question of fair play or not, but the most aggressive guy is a friend of mine. It's one of my best friends, Marco Pinto Ferrer. On the pitch, he was terrible. He spoke sometimes, but it was mostly gestures, little things. On the other hand, as soon as they saw him, they were disgusted. Afterwards, that's also why he was respected. That was a bit like rugby. Besides, even me, at the time, before playing in front of cameras, I was one of the biggest idiots! (laughs) »

The player who most symbolizes Pro D2?

“The one who is truly the symbol of Pro D2 must be Joël Kofi. Until I get past him, it will be him. »

The action or attempt you will never forget?

“It's a bit off topic but it's an action against Fiji in the last World Cup. We were in our 22, they kept playing time, we multiplied ourselves so as not to let them score, we made tackle after tackle. I think in 1 minute I must have made 4 tackles. And there is this last tackle that I made with Martins where we turned over a player, the video had filmed everywhere… An action of 2 minutes or 2 minutes 30 which will stay in my head. And then in Pro D2, it's more of a breakthrough. I don't remember when it was, I think it was in Agen, I had Jérémy Chaput score after a breakthrough and a chistera which had fallen into his hands. For a pillar, that’s not often! »

A long-lost teammate that you would like to meet again?

“Steve Fualau, a former Australian hooker from Béziers. I am still in contact with him, but since he has returned to Australia it is more difficult to see each other. We are really friends, even his wife and mine. It's a shame they left. They were like us, good-natured. As soon as we called for an aperitif, they were there, we didn't live far away, 400 or 500 meters away, it was convenient. »

The player with whom you created the best friendship?

“I still have one or two. I especially have Rémi Villeneuve, my colleague from Tyrosse. We started Soustons together and normally, the Soustons go to Dax. But we were the two ugly little black ducks who left for Tyrosse. There is him, Marco Pinto Ferrer whom I have known for 14 years. And obviously Pierre Caillet. We played together, now he coaches me. But I still stay in my place, I know what his status is, I know what mine is. I don't take advantage of these situations, I don't necessarily go to his office anymore. It's easier to say things to each other and get into him because we're friends. When you're a player, you're always a little scared. If I bump into him, you say to yourself “maybe he'll put me in the fridge for a month”, but that's fine. »

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