2023-11-17 13:18:27
The international retirement did not last long. After deciding to end his career in the jersey of the XV of France, Uini Atonio finally decided to return with the Blues, at least until the 2024 Six Nations Tournament. The 33-year-old right pillar of La Rochelle ( 57 selections) returned to his choice, made official by Fabien Galthié after the French elimination (28-29) in the quarter-final of the World Cup against South Africa on October 15, after having exchanged with the coach and other staff members, depending on The Team.
The forward, who resumed competition with La Rochelle on Saturday (18-15) against Bayonne, refused last week at a press conference to discuss the content of his conversation with Galthié. But Uini Atonio should, barring injury, return to the selection in January to prepare for the Six Nations Tournament, which will begin with the reception of Ireland, title holders, in Marseille on February 2.
No successor has emerged
His presence is a relief for the Blues staff in a right pillar position where the Rochelais established himself during the mandate of Fabien Galthié. None of his competitors, such as Sipili Falatea, Dorian Aldegheri, Demba Bamba or Thomas Laclayat, stands out to take over, while Mohamed Haouas, holder during the technician’s first selections, has been excluded since his sentence to one year in prison for domestic violence.
Uini Atonio should increase his number of caps for a year, or even two. It does not seem credible to see him push to the World Cup in Australia in 2027, where he would be 37 years old. His change of mind also allows Fabien Galthié to benefit from an additional framework to attack his year 2024, while Antoine Dupont will miss the Six Nations Tournament to prepare for the Olympics with the Blues of the French sevens team .
The other player to have hung up after the World Cup, second row Romain Taofifenua, has confirmed his international retirement. But the position is more provided, notably with the recent naturalization of Toulouse’s Emmanuel Meafou.
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