A “finisher” who finishes strong, these are the words for hooker Peato Mauvaka. The replacement who has become indispensable for Julien Marchand, marked the fall tour of the Blues by signing five tries in three meetings, including a double against the All Blacks.
Behind the seven tries of Damian Penaud, best scorer of the XV of France in 2021, there are the five of Mauvaka.
The Toulousain who discovered the Blues in August 2019 is a little more essential in the French clan at barely 24 years old. He is even on the verge of securing, barring a disaster, a place in the 23 for the 2023 World Cup, scheduled in France.
–
A revenge for the one who, moreover, is in the process of ruling out competition from players of the caliber of Camille Chat (Racing 92), Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle) or Gaëtan Barlot (Castres) …
He suddenly loses his father at the end of 2018
A great reward for him who had experienced a real tragedy at the end of 2018 when he learned of the sudden death of his father, poisoned by a fish. While he had to honor his first tenure with Stade Toulousain, the native of Noumea was keen to do him honor. “I wanted to pay tribute to him. I had to be at the funeral but he would have wanted me to play this game. I knew that and I spoke to my mother who said to me: ‘Whether you come back or not, whether you play or not, he will be proud of you. ‘ It touched me, ”he explained at the time.
The players and managers of Stade Toulousain then organized a pot to help him return to New Caledonia and help his family. And Mauvaka came back, still brave.
Very strong impression against Argentina and Georgia
Replaced this fall in the shadow of Julien Marchand, it has become essential with the Blues.
Returning to Marchand’s place, Mauvaka had distinguished himself by a double in front of the Lelos, as much as by his dynamism. He had already made a good impression, the previous week, by registering the decisive test to get out of the clutches of the Pumas (29-20).
For his second tenure, his first for almost a year to the day (November 28, 2020), against the legendary All Blacks, Mauvaka has shown that he is more than a simple “finisher”, to use the term dear to Fabien Galthié.
–
Very moved after the match
He had a full game, proving his coach right, who explained recently that “Peato has qualities that we think are important to ‘match’ in the last minutes. He has a very good shot, explosiveness, power in melee”.
The serene Mauvaka did not tremble and made his qualities speak. Then he came out on time to the cheers of a white-hot Stade de France. “It was a dream. Playing against my dad’s favorite team. There you go, that … I couldn’t describe my emotions. I’m sorry,” Peato said on France 2. Sorry only that I couldn’t. talk longer. Because he was crying.
–
