We don’t always choose our exit. Eternal competitor, Kockott would undoubtedly have preferred to hang up at the Stade de France, the day before his 36th birthday, in a role other than that of mentor which he occupies without flinching at the end of the season.
The CO’s emblematic scrum-half, with whom he has already raised the Brennus shield twice in 2013 and 2018, has been overtaken in the hierarchy of the position by the Uruguyan Santiago Arata and the young Jérémy Fernandez.
Even if he does not play, the French international (11 selections) of South African origin “is 200% involved” in the group, salutes the Castres rear coach David Darricarrère.
“Of course it is difficult humanly (to leave him in the stands), but we are there for the athlete. We also and above all have to think about that, ”he explains.
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“Disappointment and frustration”
In Montpellier, too, the stakes go beyond feelings. Even for a monument like Ouedraogo (35 years old, 39 selections), the man of a single club, whose colors he proudly defended for eighteen seasons.
Like Kockott, the third line was not on the score sheet in the semi-finals and, barring injury, should not be either on Friday evening in Saint-Denis.
“Our third line is quite well balanced. This is perhaps the position where I currently have the most staff, ”explains Montpellier coach Philippe Saint-André.
“It’s difficult for him, but I’m also here to make decisions and try to make the most competitive team,” adds the former coach of the Blues (2011-2015), hailing “an exceptional guy in terms of ‘state of mind and professionalism’.
Carried in triumph by his teammates after the victory against Bordeaux-Bègles (19-10), Ouedraogo admitted to the specialized bi-weekly Midi Olympique that he had felt “a lot of disappointment and frustration” before the match.
“We had to put that aside,” he said. “I have always asked non-group players to stay with us. Now that I’m on the other side of the fence, I can’t afford to behave differently than I expected from others”.
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” A page turns “
Came into play in the second half against Toulouse (24-18) in the semi-final, the second line of Castres Loïc Jacquet (37 years old, 4 selections) says he measures “the chance” he has to withdraw weapons in hand.
“We will all be keen to offer the best possible outing to our legends (Kockott and Ouedraogo)”, he promises, without spreading out, out of modesty, on his own case. “It’s a normal week. I don’t live it more intensely than any other. I don’t think about the after”.
The former Clermont player was the captain of the France under-21 team, crowned world champions in 2006, of which several players (Maxime Médard, Damien Chouly, Lionel Beauxis) have just retired.
“This generation is coming to an end. It’s a page that turns. That’s life, that’s how it is, ”he relativizes.
Among these Blueberries was also the Montpellier hooker Guirado (36 years old, 74 selections), who should also be entitled to a last dance at the Stade de France.
“I would have signed with both hands if I had been told at the start of the season that the last match of my career would be a Top 14 final”, savors the former captain of the Blues, with whom fate has not however always been tender.
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