Tokyo (AFP)
Fragilized in his role as captain, Guilhem Guirado will guide well the XV of France Saturday (16:15 local / 09:15 French) in Tokyo against Argentina in World Cup. His third and last, he approaches more open and with "confidence" in the capabilities of the Blues.
He was there, Friday in a lounge of the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo, for the match watch captain's press conference. Seven days back, however, he said he was not certain to lead the Blues for their most important game in four years, while he was Camille Chat's replacement in the last warm-up match on August 30 against Italy. (47-19).
The first question was about his presence on Friday, the day before this meeting already decisive for qualification in the quarterfinals. "You (the media) are asking yourself a lot of questions about it, you should not be asking too much either, but getting ready, getting ready, getting confident, looking forward to tomorrow and is excited, "he replied.
The Catalan (33 years old, 70 caps), captain of a XV of France with 36% of victories since taking charge, early 2016, never thought of giving up. Even after the beating in England in February in the Six Nations Tournament (44-8), after which the question of confidence was put to him.
"I said yes right now, without hesitation, I lost some matches, I got spanked too, so I did not think we had to question everything, but I can understand that they (the coaches) were able to ask the question of whether I still wanted to continue "he explained as well last Friday.
He has it, and is attacking his third World Cup, after 2011, where he only played thirty minutes, and 2015, where he was titular.
- "slaps" in his path -
He would never have hoped to fight as much, he who had to wait until November 2014, and twenty capes as a substitute, to get his hands on the job hooker.
"I'm proud of my career, there have been ups and downs, so much the better, some slaps allowed me to learn my trade," he said last week.
However, he tries not to look too much and to think about the close end of his international career, which will probably end at the end of the World Cup.
"I try not to think about it too much because I do not want to overplay, but I realize it, I know that my career is behind me, but there is still a beautiful page to write. important moments of men, "he added.
- "Another Guilhem" -
By the admission of his teammates (and followers), Guirado approaches the deadline more relaxed than previous meetings.
"I especially see a Guilhem who has taken a step back and gets better ... how to say it is more open.I can not explain it but I see another Guilhem," says Sébastien Vahaamahina, who 'knew in Perpignan before joining him in the French team. "I like it like that, Guilhem," adds the second line.
Charles Ollivon, his teammate in Toulon and Japan, confirms: "Yes, it is true, it is more open, smiling, maybe even more than in Toulon, so much the better because it is reflected on others."
What does he think? The question made him smile Friday, and he quickly evacuated: "I'm relaxed because the atmosphere is good, we work well, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. with + Jeff + (Jefferson Poirot, vice-captain and at his side): a World Cup is always apart, we want to take inspiration from the good times we live, because that's what will allow us to We will transcend tomorrow, I think I am natural, I do not think I am transformed, I am just happy to be with this group and the French team. " As long as possible, he hopes.
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