Toulon (AFP)

Taulonnais locker room and exemplary on the lawn, the Italian Sergio Parisse (37) and the New Zealander Isaia Toeava (34) and Ma'a Nonu (38) quickly made us forget their age and their recent arrival in the Var .

Since his appointment in Toulon, manager Patrice Collazo has been at the base of a new project.

Forgotten the host of stars in the harbor, the Toulon Rugby club now wishes to rely on young French people and on its training center.

But to promote the explosion at the highest level of these young shoots, the staff quickly understood the importance of incorporating experienced players, connoisseurs of major events and able to supervise this golden youth.

With this in mind, Collazo went to look for Parisse at the French Stadium in the summer of 2019. Parisian for 14 years and double champion of France, the 36-year-old third line Italian at the time quickly integrated into the Red workforce. and Black.

"Daddy of the fronts" as the new president Bernard Lemaître calls him, Parisse "tries to convey confidence and serenity".

"The young people are listening. We are trying to help them manage the pressure of events and training a little," said the Italian to the 142 selections.

- Legends -

Three weeks ago in Bayonne, as a symbol, the former captain of the Azzurri sharply reframed his teammate Theo Dachary (23 years old), avoiding him to receive a yellow card.

The young Toulon center had just put his hands on the referee's shoulders to claim a foul.

Even when he is not a captain, his role with the referees is also essential.

Since this summer, Parisse has also seen New Zealanders Toeava and Nonu land.

The first, 2011 world champion and 36 times selected with the All Blacks, is also a connoisseur of the Top 14 after four years spent in Clermont.

Faced with the injuries of Julien Hériteau and Anthony Belleau, Nonu was also called back to the harbor to take up a final challenge at 38 years old.

The one that could allow him to pocket a club title for the first time.

"The arrival of Toeava and Nonu made me feel a little less old, laughs Parisse. They are legends of the sport. It's good for the team to have players with experience. because the success of a club depends on a good mix of experience and youth. "

RCT three-quarter and attacking coach Julien Dupuy confirms: "Having boys like that saves time for the kids and for us."

Same story on the side of the back Gervais Cordin (22 years), for whom the older + "also bring a lot of confidence just by their presence in the group and in the team".

- Nonu reassured -

Above all, the three executives are distinguished by their level of play. Parisse has chained 11 starts since the start of the season, with two tries and an indisputable offensive and defensive contribution.

Touched in the calf at the start of the season, Toeava has also just completed seven out of eight possible matches.

Capable of playing all three-quarter positions, + Ice + was perfectly safe at the center and then at the opening in the absence of Louis Carbonel.

Absent in Paris because of a painful knee, he has returned to training this week but could still be a bit tight for Sale's reception on Saturday in the European Cup.

As for Nonu, there was great uncertainty about his level of play after a stint in the United States.

But the former All Black reassured all the Var supporters by being a holder in Agen, just ten days after his arrival in Toulon, and by producing four solid performances since.

"I am not surprised by his level, confirms Julien Dupuy. The professionalism of Nonu or Toeava marked me. They are two very great players who are incredibly humble. They always want to learn and help others."

And on the eve of approaching the European Cup, the role of + grandpas + should continue to be essential.

© 2020 AFP