He came to test the waters, smell the atmosphere, set a date. In the aftermath of the historic success (10-53) of the XV of France at Twickenham, Emmanuel Meafou, the second line of Australian origin of the Toulouse stadium was called by the coach Fabien Galthié among the 42 Tricolors (Paul Willemse, the 2nd line Montpellier , injured, then left the group) responsible for preparing the reception of Wales, Saturday (3:45 p.m.) at the Stade de France, the last match of the Blues in this 2023 Six Nations Tournament.
This Tuesday, the 24-year-old player with an impressive size (2.03 m, 140 kg), born in New Zealand to Samoan parents before emigrating to Australia, took part in his first collective training on the main lawn of the national center of Marcoussis (Essonne). While Fabien Galthié made some adjustments to his starting XV by reintegrating Uini Atonio, back from suspension, placing Charles Ollivon in the 2nd line, and giving Sekou Macalou a chance in the 3rd line, Emmanuel Meafou sharpened his imposing carcass among those under 18 requisitioned for an opposition.
His first steps with the Blues simply constituted a contact. They will not allow him to play the final day of the competition against the Welsh and he should be released this Wednesday evening. He does not have a French passport, a mandatory condition of the French Federation to claim to play with the XV of France, even if the steps have been started.
“He will not be lost, he will already be connected with everyone”
“Everyone knows him, some play against him, others with him, there, this week, they are all happy to have him with them, smiles assistant coach Laurent Labit. Summoning him is interesting for the future. Having forty-two players at our disposal allows us to integrate young people or newcomers to our project. Emmanuel Meafou can thus discover how things are going here and, when he is selectable, he will not be lost, he will already be connected with everyone, he will know what is expected of him. »
The staff also wanted to show their interest in a player with very high potential, who will be eligible from 2024, and perhaps even a little earlier. Arrived in France in December 2018 and never selected for the Wallabies, the Toulouse second line must, as required Word Rugby Rule 8.1having spent five years in his country of residence before being able to play for his selection.
However, before January 1, 2022, three years were enough, which allowed Emmanuel Meafou to find himself mathematically eligible for a few days in December 2021. Can a player be deprived of such a right on a rule change? This is what New Zealand pleaded, before receiving the agreement of the International Federation to select the Tongan of origin Folau Fakatava, who was in the same case. Will this verdict serve as case law? The staff of the XV of France hopes, like Meafou who could thus, once his passport obtained, participate in the World Cup in France (September 8 – October 28).
The possible starting XV against Wales: Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Dumortier – (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Cros, Alldritt, Macalou – Flament, Ollivon – Atonio, Marchand, Baille.