Hard blow for the French XV: Tevita Tatafu, the right pillar of Aviron Bayonnais, is officially out of the last test of the tour against Argentina this Friday at the Stade de France.
Released after only ten minutes during the intense battle against the All Blacks last Saturday (30-29), there was initially talk of a simple knee crutch, as Fabien Galthié explained. But the news is not so reassuring…
Loose ankle, forced rest
According to information from Midi Olympique, the problem goes far beyond the knee injury. Tatafu would also suffer from an injury to the ankle ligament, requiring wearing a boot for at least eight weeks. Suffice to say that his absence from the field could exceed two months.
Tevita Tatafu vs Tevita Tatafu, when international rugby brings family on the other side of the world together
A tile for the Blues, but also for Bayonne, which loses one of its strong men in the melee. Rowing only provided one player during this international period and will unfortunately pay a high price.
In-house solutions
Don't panic though: the Blues have resources. During the duel against the All Blacks, it was George-Henri Colombe who acted as right pillar, stringing together more than 70 minutes of high intensity. The Rochelais, who did not start the week in full possession of his means (calf problem), should be ready to apply to face the Pumas.
For his part, Uini Atonio was recalled this Sunday by the Blues staff to participate in the rally this week. If the La Rochelle pillar is present, this means that he can train and therefore potentially be fit for the match on Friday.
Galthié and his staff therefore have something to contend with, even if the prolonged absence of Tatafu remains a hard blow, both for the solidity in scrum and for the physical impact in the running game. See you on Friday to see how the Blues will adapt without their Bayonnais bulldozer.
