Tour of the XV of France in New Zealand. Gaël Fickou, captain from the end of the world

• His life for selection – Tour xv france new zealand.

If it is a common thread in the career of Gaël Fickou. However, he is in his report to the French team. Meanwhile, It must be said that the story started very early for him. Furthermore, The interested party was called to Marcoussis during the 6 nations 2013 tournament. Furthermore, when he was only 18 years old, and had celebrated his first selection on March 26, against Scotland. Moreover, Since then. Furthermore, if he has tour xv france new zealand. not always had a crucial role to play during the first five years, he was without discontinuing in radars. Similarly, Still forging, over time, the unwavering link that unites it with the Blues. Nevertheless, Especially since. However, if he did not know the success he would have deserved in club (no title, nor any final), he has experienced his most beautiful triumphs with the national team in recent seasons (a great slam, a victory in the tournament, prestigious successes against New Zealand or South Africa). Furthermore, Asked. Similarly, a few months ago, on the possibility of signing in Japan end of career, Fickou had replied: “I don’t think it’s done for me.” Before developing: “My goal is to play for the national selection and compete in the maximum of major competitions. Moreover, Once I can no longer play in the France team and be efficient for my club, I will tour xv france new zealand. stop rugby.” At the start of the tour, he was also questioned about the reasons for his presence. Similarly, Clear answer: “I have never refused the French team. Nevertheless, I understand some players who have declined the invitation. Similarly, with the mental or physical fatigue of seasons which are increasingly harsh. Therefore, But my vision of things is that I do not see myself saying no to a selection. For example, I want to meet all the challenges with the XV of France.”

• With Galthié, the strong link

There is more than respect between these two. Nevertheless, Perhaps a reciprocal admiration, born during their experience common to the 2019 World Cup. Similarly, “Since we arrived. For example, with the first part of the staff, Gaël has been obvious, said Galthie said a year later. For example, […] He holds the barracks, is one of those players who assure, assume, make decisions and transcend. Similarly, It is a figure of our team. In addition, He brings us the exceptional man and player he is. He responds to everything. “ Even when you have to go and challenge the All Blacks with a very largely altered group. “The only times I have not come. is that Fabien decided not to take me, Noted Fickou at the start of the tour. If he calls me and tells me tour xv france new zealand. that he needs me, I come with pleasure. “ He evokes “Fabien”, this coach with whom he woven a link he had known with any of his predecessors. Until becoming a must on the ground. holder during each of the first twenty-nine meetings disputed under the Garthié era (excluding summer tour or the fall of the 2020 nations of which he was exempt, like all executives). And a privileged relay outside. “He often calls me to ask me questions, have my opinion on such a thing, had told Fickou. I have a great feeling with him. Humanly. I have nothing to blame him for: he is frank, right, clearly said to me when I missed my match but also knows how to congratulate me otherwise. “ And admit, before the 2023 World Cup : “This guy is a machine. Sometimes I tell myself : “How can he think of something tour xv france new zealand. like that?” It is sometimes believed that the good results of the XV of France are due at random. But nothing is due to chance, in fact. “

• Unanimous tour captain

As Fabien Galkié took the temperature from his major players. he understood how many they would be in New Zealand, he signed Gaël Fickou. And he appreciated the response of the three-quarter center, repeating it since: “Gaël wanted to be there.” In view of the CVs present in the summer group. even if Romain Taofifenua and Rabah Slimani also serve as “dads”, the evidence was imposed at the time of appointing a captain. Gaël tour xv france new zealand. Fickou and his (then) 94 capes, of course. The former Toulousain has always been one of the leaders meetings. he who is naturally close to all the movement: appreciated by the “old” in his early days, familiar with the “band in Dupont” and comfortable with the new generation. He even regularly assumed the captain of the match, when Dupont, Ollivon or Alldritt was out. But before the “friendly” meeting in England. and even more the first test in Dunedin, he had never been entrusted with this responsibility to kick off on the international scene. “It’s an honor, I hope to be up to it,” he said. I am happy to be here. “ A good humor that he clearly broadcast around him. If its exemplarity is unanimous in the staff. this is also the case with other players on this tour, especially less experienced. Behind the scenes, they keep renting tour xv france new zealand. its simplicity, its unifying side and its faculty to be interested in them. In all relaxation, as he claims: “They are pros, concentrated and determined. I just try to support them as best I can, staying myself.” Then resonate his words after success in Twickenham, almost a month ago: “The guys believed me and followed me.”

• Longevity in all events

Victim of a thumb fracture at the start of the year. Gaël Fickou had missed the first half tour xv france new zealand. of the last 6 nations tournament. And had only returned to the group in the competition. Admittedly, its unavailability was rather short … It is however to be emphasized, as the center has experienced few long -term absences in its personal journey. Something he recently recognized: “I very rarely injured myself in my career. I had talked about it with Charles Ollivon: between the championship. the Champions Cup and the international tests, only the long injuries offer us today physical and mental recovery beaches. Me, since I have always chained, I have never had this kind of long cut. But I will not complain: most of the time, we have a crazy life; Incredible. “ And he was thus of all the battles, or almost, as a national team. The proof? Since its beginnings in 2013, Fickou has participated in each editions of the 6 Nations Tournament. Or thirteen in tour xv france new zealand. a row, series in progress. In this legendary competition. he even became the French record holder of played matches (fifty) in March, tied with Philippe Sella. Then, he was also retained for the last three World Cups (2015, 2019 and 2023), during which he accumulated nine appearances.

Gaël Fickou is a huge competitor. And it is lucid enough to know that competition in its post has intensified in recent months. Between the dimension taken by Yoram Moefana. the return to the foreground of Pierre-Louis Barassi, then the emergence of tour xv france new zealand. Nicolas Depoortere and Emilien Gailleton, the XV of France has an exceptional pool in the center. But, at 31, Racingman learned to live with this constant emulation: “I have always been” challenged “in my career. Before, it was a lamerat, Fofana and so on. I have always had to fight and I will continue to fight. If, one day, I no longer have the level, I will go home, that’s all.” On the first test match in New Zealand. he showed how precious he was still at the highest level, thanks to his experience or his science of defense. But Fickou is also aware that. despite the confidence of Fabien Galkié, his position was weakened this season: he was replacing against Japan to start the fall tour or had to wait for Barassi’s injury to find his place at the end of the tournament. However, the interested party keeps a tour xv france new zealand. major ambition in mind: the 2027 World Cup in Australia. A final capital challenge in his immense career? It is likely, as he confided in November: “You can never be 100 %sure. But at 33 and with fifteen seasons of professional rugby behind me, I think I have had my time. When you have no big goals in front of you. when you can no longer go and get world cuts and titles with your club, it’s better to stop.”