“He wanted to redeem himself”: Habel-Küffner, a comeback and a victory with Stade Français after the sanction

2023-12-23 22:53:22

The sprint without opponents to the goal to take the time to savor. The cheers of Jean-Bouin’s audience. And the strong congratulations of its partners. Giovanni Habel-Küffner dreamed of it, of this try to mark his return to Stade Français. And turn the page on a layoff caused by an unauthorized night out after a defeat in Pau at the end of November, where the third row was guilty of an altercation with a member of the staff of the Pau Section, his former training.

But this hoped-for moment only lasted a few seconds, shortly before the quarter-hour mark of play late Saturday afternoon. Time for the video referee to detect this small charge from his partner Kylan Hamdaoui on an opponent in the air, and to cause the cancellation of this try and his joy (13th). So the 28-year-old Frenchman, born to a Samoan father and a German mother, was content with a more anonymous return, and above all with a victory (18-13) with Paris on Saturday against La Rochelle.

Applauded like all of its partners by the supporters when the teams were announced before kick-off, “GHK” first distinguished itself by being the author of the first foul of the match (2nd). Before bringing the impact of his 105 kilos to the center of the field, the reason which pushed the capital club to recruit the forward last summer. 54 minutes on the Parisian synthetic, where Habel-Küffner pushed his team forward before giving way to Sekou Macalou. Logical after a month without a contested match, where his team dominated Stade Toulouse in the Top 14 before missing its two Champions Cup matches.

“He is very appreciated”

“He’s incredible,” said New Zealand scrum-half Brad Weber. He brings that physical power, with his big body. It’s a good complement for the team. » “Having a big lifter like him is important in modern rugby,” greets his former partner, now attack coach at Stade Français, Morgan Parra.

Saturday evening, we obviously did not have the right to explanations from the person concerned at a press conference for his return. Summoned by his management who laid him off in addition to sanctioning him financially and inflicting him with internal community service, the player remains discreet. Both on social networks and in her hair choices. He who likes to dye his hair kept it simple for the reception of the double European champions.

“He wanted to redeem himself for the group,” slips Morgan Parra. Who obviously doesn’t blame him for this prank from Pau, as shown by the demonstrations of affection on the refused essay. “He is very popular,” continues Brad Weber, who debuted in November under his new colors. For me, for example, he serves as my translator on the pitch. »

“Each person who returns to the group does good, and that’s their case,” slips hooker Laurent Panis. For Habel-Küffner, this is even more true than for others. The imposing player is the only specialist in his third center line position in the Parisian squad. And his profile had attracted the interests of some, who came for information when the possibility of dismissal from the capital club was raised. So Stade França, settled in the lead car of the Top 14 before traveling to Toulon on Saturday, is now counting again on its former outcast.