He will return to competition in Toulon this Saturday. Uzair Cassiemthe third of theRowing Bayonnaiswill start for the resumption of the Top 14 at Mayol. The South African international, indestructible, who has played six games out of nine this season, had been spared for the Toulouse reception. Uzair Cassiem (34 years old), team executive and key figure in the Bayonne pack, discusses the current success of the group, the management of player rotation, and shares his deep attachment to Bayonne and the Basque Country, which he hopes see it become the last chapter of his career, he who has started discussions with the club management.
Apart from the objective of a result, what is your state of mind at the time of resuming this trip to Toulon?
Uzair Cassiem : I think for us what motivates us is that we don't forget what happened last time, in Anoeta. You know, it's always difficult. But I think that's what pushes us to work harder and strive for victory. This week we had excellent preparation. There are a lot of smiles in the group, everyone is happy, and that makes us want to go out on the pitch, play with intensity, put physicality and put them under pressure to get the victory.
Do you feel that something is happening in the group over the last four games?
We had a lot of new players this season who needed time to adapt to the system and the way we play. But now we are at the right time. Everyone understands what they have to do, whether on or off the field. The team is starting to come together well, and most of the guys are healthy, which is very important for us. We are at a point where we have leaders in the group to guide us during matches, and experienced players to help the younger players settle in. It feels like everything has come together, and it shows in our workouts too. The level is high. No one wants to disappoint the team, and we all do our best.
After the victory against Toulouse, did the break do any good? At the risk of breaking the dynamic…
It came at the perfect time. Last year we played four matches in a row (Racing, La Rochelle, Lyon and Toulouse), which was really trying for us. This season, getting positive results in those four games before the break was incredible. That was our goal, and I think this break was well deserved for everyone. The guys came back refreshed, happy and ready to go again.
Even for you? In Lyon, you were started even though you were having difficulties during the week, and against Toulouse, you did not play…
This is a big improvement. In my position, there are Rodrigo (Bruni) and Giovanni (Habel-Küffner) and we know that they will be at the level and that the job will be done correctly. Compared to two years ago, where there was a huge difference between the top five players and the rest of the team, today we have a lot more depth. This year we've rotated a lot, using around 40-42 players over nine games, and everyone who comes in knows what they have to do. This makes things easier for me, because I know that whoever takes my place will do the job just as well. We have built a squad that can rotate without the level dropping, and that is a huge strength for us.
In the first block of the season, you only played the Top 14, over the next ten weeks, you will have to manage the championship and the Challenge Cup. Is this different?
Winning creates positive momentum. When you win, it motivates the whole group. Everyone wants to play, everyone wants to contribute, and that pushes the level up. Whether in the Top 14 or the Challenge Cup, the objective is clear, qualification, and the players, whether old or new, who arrived this summer, know that they must perform at a high level to hope to obtain a starting place. This competition within the group is really beneficial for us.
You arrive in end of contract at end of seasonwhat do you want to do? Continue to Bayonne, France?
Yes, it's my dream. I've been here for three seasons, and I feel like I've played an important role in the club's progress. Bayonne is very close to my heart: the club, the people, the supporters. I love being here, and I dream of this being my final destination, the place where I will retire. This is what I want, and I hope we can achieve this soon. I have confidence.
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