The New Zealander, who arrived at USAP in mid-November, started for the first time last night with the Catalans at Aimé-Giral. A promising first as he was generous defensively.
Less than three weeks after arriving at his first practice, he was a starter. What's more, in Aimé-Giral. It was not a simple thing, especially since Max Hicks replaced executive Alan Brazo, side captain and combat leader. “At least he won’t have time to think too much.”quipped the coach in charge of the USAP sidelines, Guillaume Vilaceca. It is clear that the atmosphere of the big evenings, the light shows and the white-hot public facing the Toulonnais who came to hurt with their forwards did not make the New Zealander procrastinate.
In a group of courageous forwards who held their own against those of RC Toulon, he put his activity at the service of the USAP. In just one half, he had already made 10 tackles (11 in total). Only Ignacio Ruiz did better (12). Max Hicks was omnipresent in the fight. His clash with his opposite number and the native Mattéo Le Corvec is proof of this in a melee which turned and stopped by the referee (23rd). A duel which pleased Aimé-Giral and which shows his character. In this fight, he also knew how to contribute offensively.
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Max Hicks was one of the first to support his teammates, on the ground or to put pressure. With ball in hand, too, the New Zealander knew how to show himself. Isolated on the left wing, the Catalan number 7 was able to put the USAP in the lead at the entrance to the 22 meters, by moving inside and gaining around ten meters (24th). Imprecise in the first period, the blood and gold did not take advantage of it. However, Max Hicks was able, in less than an hour, to show his offensive and defensive range.
A stolen touch that blew away his defense
His presence as a starter was also due to his aerial profile. Alan Brazo absent, Mathieu Tanguy on the bench, Adrien Warion on the flank, one more jumper was needed, alongside the new sideline captain Tristan Labouteley. He should have been a real solution in this sector of play. But overall he was little used, Labouteley being the number 1 choice. At the final whistle, the New Zealander escaped with a poorly deflected touch (12th), two well caught (46th, 75th) and a volley in the 22 meters blood and gold (33rd), which did the greatest good to the Catalans who were able to restart with their hands behind.
A first performance therefore which does not show his total domination on the physical level, but which proves that he is a versatile scrapper who can contribute through his mobility. He has just arrived in France, he is probably not yet at the top of his abilities. The way in which he was eliminated by Teddy Babigny (17th), bringing Toulon into the last 10 meters and his missed “mark” on the cover (48th) which could have put Louis Dupichot, behind, in difficulty are proof of this.
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But he can only gain strength. And it will be necessary, the infirmary still being well stocked and Lucas Bachelier having perhaps filled it a little more (69th). Max Hicks was able to return to the field for around ten minutes after this injury, remaining in his register, offering solutions on the wing in attack and being generous in the fight. Without standing out from the rest in a Catalan collective taken by the (false) rhythm of the Toulonnais and their power.
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