France – New Zealand: “An experience of life”… The memories of Adrien Pélissié, hooker for the Blues during the 2018 summer tour on the other side of the world

It’s the story of a rapid rise. From a “little guy” from Septfonds, a town in the Tarn-et-Garonne countryside, who climbed the ranks at great speed to find himself, barely a year after leaving Pro D2, in the middle of one of the legendary rugby stadiums, Eden Park in Aucland, New Zealand. It was in 2018.

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2018 is the year of all exploits for Adrien Pélissié, hooker then aged 28. “I left Aurillac the previous season, where I played in Pro D2, for Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB). And everything happened very quickly,” explains the man who is recovering from an operation to treat a nasty injury at the knee.

Seven selections with the Blues

After a great first part of the 2017-2018 season under the orders of Christophe Urios, he managed to make it to the selection of the French Barbarians in November 2017. “At the time, it was a bit like the antechamber of the XV of France I remember that we beat the Maori All Blacks in Bordeaux. It was already a memorable memory,” says the man who subsequently continued his career in Clermont.

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Continuing his performances, Pélissié was called up by the new coach, Jacques Brunel, for the 2018 VI Nations Tournament. He played five matches as a replacement for the captain at the time, Guilhem Guirado. Two victories, three defeats, a fourth place in the general classification. But the best is yet to come.

“At that time, there was a class gap”

In June, Adrien Pélissié wins the right to face the reigning double world champion team at home, in the land of Fougère. “The season had been very long. I admit that I finished the championship on the knees that year. But when you are told that you are going to represent France in the country of rugby, you find additional resources to go there !”

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In sporting terms, the memories are… contrasting. “At that time, there was a big gap between the Blacks and us. So obviously, on the pitch, when you take fifty points, it’s difficult to enjoy the moment,” admits the hooker with seven caps.

“There are rugby pitches in Auckland parks”

Because at Eden Park in Auckland, the teammates of Beauden Barrett, already starting at the opening in 2018, inflicted a scathing 52-11 on the Blues. “We held them until half-time. But then we broke down physically. As soon as you make a mistake against players of this quality, you pay them cash,” analyzes Pélissié.

Despite the scenario of the match, Pélissié remembers the side effects of the tour. “The 17 hours straight on a plane in business class, the arrival in downtown Auckland where there are rugby pitches laid out in the parks, the haka on the lawn or even all the black supporters dressed and constantly cheering on their team,” he says.

A week later, the sanction is less heavy, even if the Septfontois is not on the Wellington field (11-26). Before a third act where Brunel gives number 16 back to Tarn-et-Garonnais. With a similar outcome to the first match (14-49).

“A life experience”

Despite everything, this expedition will remain in his memory for the rest of his life. “It’s a great life experience. There aren’t tons of French players who have played New Zealand at home. Even less in a stadium like this. I remember that in 2011, I watched the World Cup final on television. There, I was on the pitch… Everything happened so quickly. At the time, you don’t think about what’s happening afterwards. Should have enjoyed it a little more, but it remains engraved. forever”, smiles Adrien Pélissié.

Six years later, Pélissié will be on his sofa to watch the opposition between Antoine Dupont’s teammates and his 2018 enemies, Saturday November 16, 2024 (9:10 p.m.). The one who has started a new rehabilitation, however, hopes that the Blues will overcome the triple winners of the Webb Ellis trophy in their lair at the Stade de France. “I see a very close match but I hope that France will win. I would see a score of 32-28, something like that”, decides the Tarn-et-Garonnais.