The Stade Toulousain hooker put in a colossal performance against Japan, even finishing the game in the third row. He looks back on that performance ahead of the clash with the All Blacks.
How do you feel after this big match where les Bleus scored more than 50 points ?
Peato Mauvaka: A bit drained, personally, but happy to come away with the win. But we’ve got a lot to improve in defense, where we were penalized a lot. We tried to be too aggressive and committed in the rucks and were penalized several times. This will be a good area to work on in the coming week.
Jean-Baptiste Gros confided that at half-time, there were a few words in the dressing room despite the score (31-0). What was said?
It wasn’t the first half we’re used to, especially in our defense and in the rucks, where we were penalized a lot. It wasn’t in our image, but it’s also about wanting to do well and save the team by being more aggressive than the opposition. Sometimes it didn’t go our way. We’ll have our work cut out for us next week when we take on New Zealand.
Which position did you prefer to play: hooker or third row?
Wingman! (Smiles) I felt good. I’d already started playing rugby in the middle. I’d also played third row for several years, so I’d been lucky enough to finish a match in that position too. In training, I sometimes play third row. I know I’ll be ready if I have to finish in that position.
How do you see the All Blacks? We thought they were on the back foot after the Rugby Championship, and in the end they put in two tremendous games…
I’ve always found the New Zealand team monstrous. We were lucky enough to beat them twice recently. Against Ireland, it was a big match in terms of commitment and physicality. We’ll be determined to match that next weekend.
It’s true that the last Six Nations Tournament didn’t go very well for me. I wanted to show that I was still there.
Peato Mauvaka
In 2021, you scored a brace against them. At the 2023 World Cup, you also put in a great performance. That must bring back fond memories…
I hope it will be a good memory next weekend (Smiles).
How was your reunion with the Stade de France, a year after the World Cup?
There was a lot of pride in coming back here, even if there was the bad memory of the quarter-final. We’ve started a new cycle now, and we have to think about the future and not dwell on the past. Otherwise, we’ll burn ourselves out. We want to move forward and prepare seriously for each match. We managed to prepare well for the Japan game and now we have to focus on New Zealand.
Federico Pestellini / Panoramic
On a personal note, how did you feel about your reunion with the French national team?
I wouldn’t talk about bad memories, but it’s true that the last Six Nations Tournament didn’t go so well for me. I wanted to show that I was still there. So I gave it my all.
How did you find Antoine Dupont for his return to the French national team?
He was struggling a bit! I gave him a few tips on the position of nine, if he wanted me to replace him… (Laughs) On a more serious note, he’s doing us a world of good on the pitch, with his leadership. He brings us forward and we’re happy to have him back with us.
Did he grumble when you didn’t score, at the end of the match, after his foot pass?
It was because I was tired! On the first hook, I didn’t know I’d passed, and then my field of vision narrowed. I didn’t know what to do and preferred to keep the ball.
Grégory Alldritt teased you about being in the red at the end of the match…
I’m not used to playing 80 minutes and especially finishing in the third row. So I can see how Greg feels every game. But I think I was less in the red than he was (Laughs).