XV of France: “I had the impression that something was missing”, Atonio explains why he continues with the Blues

As soon as the Blues were cruelly eliminated in the quarter-final of “their” World Cup by the Springboks (29-28), two players, both aged 33, announced their international retirement: second-row Romain Taofifenua ( Lyon) and right pillar Uini Atonio (La Rochelle). Two senior players from the French group, who wanted to concentrate solely on their club career. But, in the end, they reversed their decision and will extend their international career with the XV of France.

Guest on Tuesday of the Super Moscato Show on RMC, Uini Atonio returned to the reasons which pushed him to extend his lease with the Blues. “Yes, I am available. Afterwards, as I say every time, you have to perform well at a club to be selected for the French team. So, yes I am available, he said. Afterwards, it's the choices of the coaches but yes, yes, yes, I came out of my three-week retirement.

The massive right-hander from Stade Rochelais, double reigning European champion, also confided that he had held discussions with members of the French staff, who pushed him to reconsider his decision. “A little (calls) from everyone yes, there was for example William Servat,” he admits. Ditto on his return to La Rochelle, where his manager, Irelands Ronan O’Gara, pushed him to continue. “When I came home with Ronan, he told me to come home quickly to see him and he asked me why I was stopping. He told me that I had to continue a little longer, he confides. So, there you have it, I listened to everyone a little.”

Despite the cruel failure in the quarters, this long experience with the Blues, which began last summer with intense preparation, gave him a boost. “I thought I was suffering a little bit from training and matches. Finally, this preparation with the French team gave me a little boost of youth.” And added: “In fact I announced very early on, from the 2023 Six Nations, that I would stop when we were world champions. And finally, losing in the quarter-finals (against future champion South Africa, Editor's note), I had the impression that something was missing.

A long break after the World Cup, to regenerate, as his teammate Grégory Alldritt did, was not on the agenda. “If I stop for two and a half months, when I come back, I’m at 170 kilos,” he jokes. For Fabien Galthié's staff, replacing Atonio would be a headache. Because behind him, the competition has not yet managed to toughen up and offer other serious alternatives, whether Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Sipili Falatea (UBB, injured), Demba Bamba (Lyon) or Thomas Laclayat (Racing 92, ex-Oyonnax). Not to mention Mohamed Haouas (Biarritz), whose international career ended because of his troubles with the law.