Emmanuel Meafou, called up this Wednesday in blue, should make his big debut with the French team during the Six Nations Tournament, the country which gave him his chance when he had once thought of stopping rugby. Since he began to stand out on the fields of the Top 14, Meafou, weighing 145 kg and 2.03 m, has always loudly proclaimed his desire to represent France at the international level, he who was born in New Zealand of Samoan parents and who grew up in Australia.
“Players of this size are generally content with a few charges in a match. He can do more than ten while increasing the number of tackles and clearances in the rucks,” greets his Toulouse teammate Jack Willis to AFP. “He deserves to have a chance in the French team and I am sure he will be up to it.” Author of 12 tries in all competitions last season, “Manny”, as unstoppable near the lines as he is fond of passes after contact, has been on the radar of the Blues staff for some time now.
“The French team is the level above,” warns its coach in Toulouse Ugo Mola. “We will see if he will be able to progress once again. I believe he has enormous room for improvement. He must be aware of this and not let himself be too lulled by the praise.” Very well integrated into the Toulouse locker room, the naturally good-natured second row, a fan of foie gras, was the most anticipated of the six novices called up on Wednesday by Galthié.
