The flamboyant Peato Mauvaka of the World Cup is back! Forgotten the Six Nations Tournament where he seemed worn out, the Toulouse hooker regained his splendor this Saturday at the Stade de France. Faced with an overwhelmed Japan (52-12), Mauvaka was everywhere. More than just a hooker, he embodied the spirit of a French XV that has fun and tries things. A good breath of fresh air before facing a completely different beast next Saturday: the All Blacks.
Mauvaka, the multifunction weapon
Remember, after the heartbreaking elimination against the Boks in the quarterfinals of “our” World Cup, Peato did not hesitate to say on Canal+: “I preferred to quickly resume, otherwise I was going to hang myself.” A raw sentence which reflected the extent of the trauma experienced by the Blues. Like everyone else, Mauvaka had to digest this slap and bounce back. Seeing him smile in the blue jersey is a sign that the page is turning.
RUGBY. ''He inspires me'': At only 27 years old, Mauvaka (Toulouse) is the idol of young people!
On Saturday, Peato once again proved that he is more than just a heel. Test in bulldozer mode on a key combination with Dupont. Almost a second in the winger position on a pass to the foot of the same Dupont. At 27, the guy can do anything. Placed back on the third line during the match after the entry of Julien Marchand, he offers a new option to the coach. Fond of versatility, there is no doubt that Fabien Galthié will use this new weapon in the Blues arsenal.
In the mixed zone, he even blurted out, smiling: “I hope to play center soon.” Versatile and in great shape, the Toulouse player was one of the major players in the movement game attempted by the Blues.
Galthié and Alldritt lodgers
In the columns of L'Equipe, Fabien Galthié was full of praise after the match: “He is exemplary physically, we should all take inspiration from his state of form. It matters so much at this level.” Grégory Alldritt couldn't help but qualm: “He was in the red at the end. But it's good, it makes him discover what it's like to play 80 minutes.”
With 24 tackles on the clock and total involvement, Mauvaka has established himself as a natural leader. But be careful, this Japan was not a big opposition. Confirmation will have to come against the All Blacks, a team which has already succeeded with a double in 2021.
An ambitious game to be confirmed
This match against Japan above all allowed the Blues to regain offensive momentum. “A more than positive copy”, according to Dupont, even if Galthié admitted that there was still a lot of waste: “We are not satisfied with everything, but it looks like our road map on work-study.” Translation ? The Blues want to play, take risks, and Mauvaka is the decisive element of this strategy in the new cycle leading to 2027.
