- Cameron Woki is one of the big ribs to integrate the XV of France.
- Talented and ultra-complete, the third line of UBB is back to its best level this season.
- The Bordeaux is part of the new generation called to bring France to the world title in 2023.
He is not shy about it. It is not his type. Cameron Woki loves light. And this Wednesday noon, he still hopes to attract him around 1 p.m. on the occasion of the announcement of the first list of Fabien Galthié, the new coach of the XV of France. "It's a kid's dream!" I'm waiting for the list… ”, he said again a few days ago. If his UBB teammates Jefferson Poirot and Matthieu Jalibert are almost sure to be there, the impatient third row of the Bordeaux-Bègles Union is one of the big odds. These newcomers that France rugby awaits.
However for specialists, his presence would only be a half-surprise. Cameron Woki is one of those players with a clear path. These kids that we notice right away because they are "above average with physical and technical qualities out of the ordinary" as explained by one of his trainers in Massy, Joffrey Delacour. It was his brother Marvyn who at the age of 10 brought him to rugby when he played football at the time.
The sufficiency of the talented
The two brothers, inseparable, will then follow each other for many years. In Bobigny, then in Massy: “Despite our two years apart, we even played a season together. It was cool. It makes great memories, ”recalls the elder, second line of training. And very quickly the "little one" stands out thanks to his talent. It does wonders but not only:
“He was able to make extraordinary matches against Clermont or Racing and get through against smaller teams. He put himself at the level of the opponent. He sorted his matches. He is a player who must be challenged all the time. Don't let go. An "attachment" as they say "
Joffrey Delacour will even have a few clashes with his young nugget which he shaped for almost three years. "He's a great kid. Always smiling, well educated but above all very impatient, ”adds the trainer. So at 19, Cameron Woki decides to leave his cocoon. Direction UBB. Objective to take the plunge and show everyone what it is worth at the very highest level.
A member of the golden generation
He knows an unforgettable first season from a personal point of view with 20 match sheets with the professional team and especially a title of world champion U20 with the Ntamack, Bamba, Carbonel, Joseph, Barassi… This famous generation which must bring France towards world coronation in 2023. But for that the third line of the Bordeaux-Bègles Union must not rest on its laurels as it tends to do at times:
“Last season, he questioned himself a lot because he didn't understand why he played less. He worked and progressed on this point. He understood that you had to be good all the time. He's another player. "
Marvin Woki knows the high level requirement well, he who plays today in Tarbes. He knows like his talented little brother that you cannot cheat, even less with a trainer like Christophe Urios. And as luck would have it, Cameron Woki has returned to his best level since the start of the season (10 games for two tries).
An Olivier Magne of modern times?
Despite constant competition, the elongated Bordeaux (1.96 m) reigns on the sidelines and the game of his team like his devastating breakthroughs which reminds an Olivier Magne of the great era.
" It's exactly that. We can clearly compare them. Cameron can do anything. Run, jump, pass, mark ... It has the whole panoply. He could even play in 4 as a Lambey. He is an ultra-modern player. No surprise to see him knock on the door of the XV of France, "says Joffrey Delacour. So does he have a chance?
"It depends on the profile you are looking for. If you want a tackler, he's not the right guy. By cons if you are looking for someone good in touch, very mobile and strong in the corridors, I think he can be a contender. Cameron has a huge room for improvement, he's a kid, he's at 80% of his capacity. "
Listening to Christophe Urios, one wonders what it will be 100%.
Sport
UBB-Le Rochelle: As a good winemaker, Rémi Lamerat improves over time in Bordeaux
Sport
Bordeaux: The very big blow of the UBB which prolongs its nugget Jalibert until 2023
How many UBB players with the XV of France?
This is the question that arises after the excellent first part of the season produced by the Union Bordeaux-Bègles. She has not necessarily gone unnoticed, particularly with Fabien Galthié. With his staff, they have spoken in recent weeks with eight players from the leading club of the Top 14 (Poirot, Cazeaux, Roumat, Woki, Lucu, Jalibert, Ducuing and Buros). UBB captain Jefferson Poirot and opening half Matthieu Jalibert should be part of this first list.
For others, nothing is certain. In the second row Cyril Cazeaux has a card to play like the young third rows Cameron Woki and Alexandre Roumat. For the other three, all very fit since the start of the season, competition looks tough at the post of scrum or back half.
- Sport
- Aquitaine
- 6 Nations
- Top 14
- XV of France
- Bordeaux
- Rugby
- Fabien Galthié