Replaced at the rear for this first test match in Dunedin after the Tiberghien package, Théo Attissogbe still achieved a capital service. Brilliant in attack and Savior in defense, he still proved how much his talent knew how to express themselves on the international scene.
Thursday evening, when commenting on the team composition he had just announced for this first test game against the All Blacks, Fabien Galkié was obviously led to evoke the package of Cheikh Tiberghien, who was planned with the number 15 in the back to start at the Forsyth Barr des Dunedin. The coach had then focused on the tenure of Tom Spring’s wing: “At the start, he should not be on the match sheet, but Cheikh was the victim of an ischio-leg tear, which forced us to reshape the team and shift Théo Attissogbe in 15.” The technician continued his Laïus on the Bayonnais winger, also evoking his alter Ego Gabin Villière in passing, but did not see fit to return to the repositioning of Attissogbe. This can largely understand itself, as the Palois does not inspire today the slightest fear of the members of the staff and as it is already considered a safe bet in their eyes. All the more in this kind of tour with an extremely redesigned and inexperienced workforce. And, on the New Zealand lawn, the U20 world champion (in 2023) has still demonstrated to what extent he was worthy of the confidence granted to him.
First choice option
Attissogbe, however, has only one year of experience with the Blues. But what a year … already, he had been one of the immense satisfactions of the summer tour in Argentina in 2024, which had seen him start the two tests in the wing and register a test each time. Noticed performances which had enabled him to continue last November against Japan, when he replaced Damian Penaud at the raised foot. Then in a tournament of the 6 nations during which he was in the departure XV against Wales and in Italy, marking the trifle of three trials on these two appointments. This has definitely made a first choice option on the tricolor attack triangle, with the Ramos, pendading, Bielle-Biarrey and Barré. The two Bordeaux and the Toulousain not being the trip to New Zealand, and the Parisian rear being too fair to apply for this first duel, the protégé of Sébastien Picronies has logically appeared as the new taulier of a stripping sector. At only 20 years old, he was to assume in the country of rugby. He did it.
Decisive on all fronts
Already aligned at the rear two weeks earlier in England, a position he held eight times with the Paloise section this season, the interested party had made an excellent performance before giving way to half-time due to stitches, and had brought serious guarantees to Galkié. This Saturday, he in the outset posted his authority by going to capture a hot ball in the air in the 5the Minute, with his “basketball player” technique (arms tense to the sky) deciphered by us on Friday. He also proven his reading qualities by intercepting an opposing pass over his thirty meters (16e), while the situation was very dangerous at the end of the line for the XV of France. And what about his incredible offensive qualities? With crumbs, since the Blues have benefited from much less ammunition than the All Blacks, he was able to be decisive. Indeed, it is he who, of a devastating acceleration (18e) On an action in the first hand, torn the curtain and placed the New Zealand arrows thanks to its speed, before serving its Pote Émilien Gailleton inside. A sequence that ended with the first French test of Mickaël Guillard. For the rest? Attissogbe has stripped himself to effectively cover the bottom of the terrain, catching up in defense and saving his own despite the black pressure. If the Blues were heroic in Dunedin, he was an example of talent and selflessness. The return of Barré, for the second test, should deport it to the wing. But whatever his position, after having made an impression in this major meeting again, Attissogbe is a big one among the big ones.
