The XV of France was looking for an understudy for the hooker position, he may have found much more on Saturday, November 20. In the absence of the indestructible Julien Marchand, forfeit after his rib injury against Georgia, it was Peato Mauvaka who donned the number 2 tunic during a match where the sparkling Blues dominated the All Blacks (40 -25).
Explosive, available in attack, generous in defense (13 tackles), the Toulouse Stadium player has planted two tries and thus fully participated in the feat of the Blues.
“Julien (Marchand) and Peato are two incredible players. We are lucky to have these two players in the France team.”
Cyril Baille, pillar of the XV of Francein press conference
With five tries in three games, he is the best French try scorer of the tour, and one of the great craftsmen of the tricolor box. Returned during the match during the first two test matches, the Toulousain spoke about his qualities of support and trickery to extricate himself from balls carried formed near the line and shine. After unlocking his counter in selection against Argentina (71st), he reissued with a double against Georgia (51st, 79th). Holder, against the Blacks, he confirmed his excellent arrangements by planting a new double, including the first try of the match (3rd, 32nd).
If the 24-year-old still has to progress in his throws in touch and be more disciplined, to see his evening performance and more widely on the fall tour, we could take him for an old man. However, against the Blacks, Peato honored only his 9th selection and his second tenure. The native of Noumea could experience the same trajectory in the French team as at the Stade Toulousain. Julien Marchand’s package (26 years old, 16 caps) was an opportunity for him to shine. He knew how to take advantage of it.
A scenario similar to the trajectory he knows at the Toulouse Stadium. Arrived on tiptoe in 2016 in the Pink City, the one who dreamed of being a volleyball player for a long time before being guided to rugby by his father, had been able to take advantage of Julien Marchand’s injury in early 2019 to find a place in the rotation. Third in the hierarchy, Mauvaka now shares his playing time with his captain in Toulouse (4 out of 8 games since the start of the season).
A situation which promises a good puzzle for the coach of the Blues, Fabien Galthié, and which will perhaps make some Toulouse bitch. From now on, they will have to get used to letting go of their two incumbent hookers to offer the cock smacked jersey the opportunity to shine.