A week ago, he was in the shoes of a reservist, destined to follow the launch of the fall tour of the XV of France against South Africa from the stands. Saturday (9:10 p.m.), Grégory Alldritt will start and even captain the Blues to face Fiji in Bordeaux. A big gap for the 28-year-old third row, executive of the Galthié era (56 caps) which he returned to this Friday at a press conference.
How do you feel about being captain a week after experiencing the match in the stands against the Springboks?
GREGORY ALLDRITT. I’m very happy to be able to play. Every time we have the opportunity to wear this jersey, it’s a privilege. We never get tired of it. It was 15 days where I was able to work, and do my best, to be ready tomorrow (Saturday) evening.
Did you experience this absence as a sanction?
This was explained very clearly by the staff. I understood it. The first culprit in the story is me. I wasn’t necessarily the best performer in these matches at the beginning of October (with his club La Rochelle). The only person I was angry with was me. The staff explained it to me clearly. When it’s done this way, it’s always better.
However, after being sent back to the club, you explained that you “need a little bit of love”…
It was after an 80-minute match (Top 14, against Racing 92), I was very tired, and it was a sentence to thank this audience in La Rochelle who had given me an exceptional match in terms of atmosphere. There was no ulterior motive or any discomfort. I just wanted to express my gratitude.
“We are touched but not defeated”
How did the French XV experience the defeat (17-32) against the Springboks?
It’s never easy. We are a group of competitors, we want to win every match. We are touched to have lost this match in our Stade de France, but we are not dejected. We are aware that we could have done better and won this match. Afterwards, with “ifs”… We are determined, we got back to work.
Where does your team need to improve?
We have a few areas where we need to do better. We need to put more commitment forward in terms of conquest. The Fijians have proven that they are strong, it will be a big challenge for us.
France’s top seed for the 2027 World Cup draw is being decided on this fall tour. Do you think about it?
We have it in the back of our minds, we are aware of it. Now the pressure we put on ourselves is to win every match. This is above all our primary objective for the next two meetings.
“There are a lot of leaders on this team who are doing their job”
How do you experience these matches outside the Stade de France, in the provinces?
It’s also good to be able to get closer to our audience. We know that going to Paris for a match at 9 p.m. means spending the weekend there, booking a hotel, that can be restrictive. It’s good to go to this magnificent stadium.
What does being captain change for you?
Not much. I’m of course very honored, but there are a lot of leaders on this team who are doing their job. I am who I have always been.