And if that was the secret. The little dishes concocted by Manu Tuilagi for his new friend Sireli Maqala, sparkling with Bayonne since the start of the season. “We spend a lot of time together, we tell each other stories, we eat dinner together but, it’s true, it’s always him who cooks,” bursts out laughing the 24-year-old Fijian, more talented in making essays. Six in seven matches. They made him the best scorer in the championship.
“I didn’t wait until this year to know that Sireli is one of the best players in the Top 14”
The three-quarter center is not just a finisher. He is also an incredible duel player. Before being rested last weekend in Lyon (38-49), he had the highest number of defenders beaten (32) in the entire division. “He’s one of the best crossers in the championship,” appreciates his manager Grégory Patat. He loves duels with spaces. » Yannick Bru remembers it well. The UBB technician had him under his control in 2021-2022. “I have more than followed its evolution since we were also victims of it in Chaban. » Maqala did not score on October 5, but he made the Bordeaux defense suffer (30-27). “Despite my warnings during the week, he managed to win many duels with the ease we know him to have. And I really thought he was crucifying us at the end of the match. On an inside hook, he escapes Mamad' Diaby. I thought he was going between the posts. It's a miracle that we managed to recover it. »
“He is capable of anything”
With Bielle-Biarrey, Capuozzo, Jalibert, Couilloud and Attissogbe, Maqala is one of the best three-quarters since the restart. “I didn't wait until this year to know that Sireli is one of the best players in the Top 14,” laughs his teammate Cheikh Tiberghien. When I was in Clermont, it was already monstrous. In Pro D2, the same. He really impresses me. He is capable of anything. As soon as he touches the ball, something happens. You have to be in his support and move as quickly as he does in his head because anything can happen. »
“I like this player because he revives an era when centers did not weigh 120 kg”
In matches, but also in training. “All week long, he’s like the weekend: full blast!”, appreciates the 3rd row Baptiste Chouzenoux. He is an explosive player. A true Fijian. A real ball player. He smells like rugby. It's great to play with these guys. It's also great to watch them perform because they put on a show. » Jonathan Wisniewski confirms. Now a consultant for Canal+, the former Lyon and Grenoble opener commented on Bayonne twice, against Perpignan (21-19) and Racing (32-15). The little candy (1.72 m, 88 kg) from Rowing scored every time. “I like this player because he revives an era when centers did not weigh 120 kg. He seeks the exterior, the weak shoulders more than entering into the man. He plays in space, he has punch, gas and talent in one-on-one situations. His energy is interesting, like his activity without a ball. He makes efforts on lost causes: in an action with six periods of play, he intervenes three times because he is always in support. »
Tuilagi's arrival stung him
Of course, not everything is perfect. The “Flying Fijian” (8 selections), who will join his selection after the reception of Toulouse this Sunday, sometimes guards the balls a little too much. “He can improve by releasing balls to the outside,” notes Grégory Patat, taking the example of “three or four opportunities” against La Rochelle (37-7). He needs to make progress on that. »
“He’s a cat in the ruck zone. He doesn't have a huge size but he has great power in his legs and great flexibility in his support.”
However, it was day and night with his last season where the future father – his partner is the daughter of former international pillar Peio Dospital – returned exhausted from the last World Cup, and not always motivated, had a series of problems physical, up to an ankle operation. Far from the standards displayed during his first two years in France. Seeing him go through a series of errands and obscure tasks, the problems seem far away. “In addition to being able to play in the best attacks in the Top 14, he is a feline in the ruck zone,” adds Yannick Bru. He doesn't have a huge size but he has great power in his legs and great flexibility in his support. » His past as a septist has a lot to do with it: he was Olympic champion in 2020. “When he is at this level, he is incredible. He's one of the best in the championship. »
Top 14: Rowing Bayonnais in “All Basks” mode
Third in the Top 14 before hosting Toulouse this Sunday at 9:05 p.m., the blue and white also have the third attack in the championship. The statistics are even better over their last five matches. Explanation
One of the reasons may lie in the plate. Or rather behind the stove. “The arrival of Tuilagi gives him another importance,” thinks Jonathan Wisniewski. He is an Islander, like him, who arrived with the culture of combat and commitment. It stung a little. He puts in extra effort. It is about consistency, seriousness, evolution. The combination of the two is just exceptional. Tuilagi monopolizes the attention and Maqala, the more he plays, the better he is. And he is always good, even when Bayonne is less so. » Right now, the two go hand in hand.
The match
Aviron faces Toulouse during a double team period. This was already the case in the last four matches between the two teams. As a direct consequence, the Stadium will be deprived of Dupont, Mauvaka, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Roumat, Costes and Ramos, retained with the XV of France. Their absences are added to those of the injured (Ntamack, Arnold, Placines, Marchand, Laulala, Baille, Chocobares). On the Bayonne side, the main absentee is Tevita Tatafu, also in Blue. Aviron (3rd) therefore has a real challenge to play, this Sunday at 9:05 p.m., to get closer to Toulouse and UBB.
