Tour of the XV of France in New Zealand-“Smile before the shot makes me a lot”: the confidences of Damian McKenzie, the opening of the All Blacks

What are you waiting for on Saturday evening. In addition, against the XV of France in Hamilton?

An injured France team is a very dangerous team. Furthermore, The Blues. Consequently, who must be a little disappointed with their last two outings, will want to end their trip on a positive note. Consequently, […] We therefore know what they are going to put on energy and aggressiveness in this ultimate test of the series. Therefore, They have nothing to lose and that is what will make their greatest strength, tour xv france new zealand-“smile in Hamilton.

Do you think that your team, much better in Wellington than it was during the first test, can still progress?

Yes, and it is necessary. Furthermore, The goal is to win the three tests in the series. Similarly, the last is no less important than the two having preceded it. Therefore, In this Waikato region where rugby is at the center of everything. Therefore, we have to finish the tour on a good match: that would allow us to send a positive message before approaching rugby championship in a few weeks.

What have you thought of this French team so far? Meanwhile, And do you agree with your compatriot Justin Marshall, when he talks about a C team, concerning it?

Not at all, no. Moreover, This turnover just proves the workforce depth of French rugby. In addition, since the Blues really pushed us in our last entrenchments during tour xv france new zealand-“smile the Dunedin test. Furthermore, The future prospects are therefore exciting, for the XV of France. For example, […] So far, they have largely lived up to the event.

Tell us a bit about you, Damian. However, How did you start rugby, rightly?

I was born in Invercargill. at the southern tip of the island and as far as I remember, I have always been surrounded by rugby. My father Brent played, my brother Marty too. Small, they were my idols and I followed them, that’s all.

And your idol at the All Blacks, who was it?

Christian Cullen, without possible hesitation: he was fluid, easy, elegant, creative. I always dreamed of looking like him and wearing this black jersey one day.

You have a fairly special routine when you hit the goal. You seem to smile. For what ?

When I started my professional career in chiefs (super rugby). my percentage on penalties was not too bad but some kicks put me in important states of stress. The pressure was negative and I could miss important strikes. I then decided to work with tour xv france new zealand-“smile a mental trainer, David Galbraith.

What did he tell you?

He asked me a question: “What are you feeling when hitting?” I replied: “Pressure”. He then asked me to apprehend this game phase otherwise. to embrace the moment, to see him as a game and to smile. This is what I do now. The smile before the shot makes me a lot. I am relaxed, what.

Tour xv france new zealand-&quot. smile – Tour xv france new zealand-"smile

Jalibert and Ntamack both have a lot of instinct and I imagine that I look like them, yes, in a way

Your way of playing is very spectacular, a little flashy …

I have always considered rugby in a very instinctive way. I take into account the system but very often. I look at what is present in front of me and I improvise. Sometimes it works. Other times, it caused me problems. […] Now that tour xv france new zealand-“smile I have aged (he is 30 years old, editor’s note), I have slowed down a bit. Above all. I understood that the forwards like to play with the ball in front of them and do not necessarily appreciate making a thirty-meter turn to help a three-quarter having missed a revival. (Laughs)

Do you know Matthieu Jalibert?

Yes of course.

We say that he looks like you. in many ways: talented, creative, fast, capable of playing rear or opener but in a national team, he is however only the replacement of Romain Ntamack.

(He cuts) Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack practice a rugby that I like, an expansive, nervous, spectacular rugby. They both have a lot of instinct and I imagine that I look like them, yes, in a way.

Europe was a very tempting option, yes …

Is an expansive rugby compatible with the international level. the tour xv france new zealand-“smile two titles of world champion of Springboks have proven the opposite?

We. All Blacks, like to practice both styles: we know how to move the heavier teams than we by a fast game like going through something more direct, more frontal, as was the case last weekend, in Wellington.

Have you recently chosen to extend your contract with the New Zealand Federation until the spring of 2029. Why did you turn your back on certain offers from the Top 14?

I wanted to have the opportunity to represent the All Blacks at the next World Cup in Australia. But Europe was a very tempting option, yes …

The Stade Français was apparently very interested in your profile …

It seems, yes! (Laughs) Two of my very good friends play there: Brad Weber and Tawera Kerr-Barlow. But it was not further than that.