Saturday evening, in Hamilton, Thibault Daubagna should celebrate the second selection of an international career started at… 31 years old.
How do you understand this third and last test?
As a real opportunity for us. It’s a chance to win a match in this big rugby country, because it’s been a while since we won here. For me, it is also an opportunity to get a new cape. You know, last week in Wellington, it was incredible.
To discover the international level at 31 years old is something …
Yes, totally! Playing against the All Blacks for my first selection, living the haka in a big stadium was a strong and unforgettable moment. Two months before, I would not have thought it possible. I didn’t even think I was called for this tour. Finally, I was it but at the start, I was number 3 in the hierarchy (behind Nolann Le Garrec and Baptiste Jauneau). So I was surprised as a surprise. I see it as the culmination of the work provided in recent years.
Fabien Garthié pointed out that you played 300 games in the colors of the Paloise section. Is the account fair?
297, to be completely correct.
Have you ever wanted to leave? We remember that you had touches in Toulouse a few years ago …
I am a real Béarnais, born in Jurançon. I started in the Paloise section in 1999 and leaving for it was obviously difficult. However, I almost joined Toulouse (in 2019). I liked the idea but the project was also super competitive, since I would have been the number 2 of Antoine Dupont. I have no regrets today. I am proud to have participated in the revival of the Paloise section, which has just qualified for the first time in Champions Cup. This club works well. We will also be four Palois (Hugo Auradou, Emilien Gailleton, Théo Attissogbe and Thibault Daubagna) on the sheet on Saturday. It is a great reward for our training.
You played with a few All Blacks, in the Paloise section…
(He cuts) Yes, there was Conrad Smith, Colin Slade, Tom Taylor, Carl Hayman and Sam Whitelock. Conrad and Sam went to see us at the hotel in Wellington, before the match. Colin almost came to the stadium. I only have excellent memories of these players: they were of incredible professionalism, rigor and talent. From a rugby point of view, rubbing shoulders were a real richness.