Ben Botica (SA XV): “It’s a tough decision we’ve made with Jacob”

FifthOn Friday evening, a few moments after SA XV’s victory over Provence in Chanzy, President Didier Picchu formalized the arrival of Ben Botica, loaned for the last four matches of the Pro D2 season by Castres Olympique, as he lost playing time. The New Zealand opener joins his younger brother Jacob in Angoulême, who plays in the same position, as regular Mateo Ugalde has been recovering from a broken rib since the match against Grenoble on March 17.

On Sunday, Ben Botica arrived in Angoulême, immediately joined the group and took part in rehearsals. With the task of bringing in Team 13^H from Pro D2 and joined the battle to retain the experience and talent of a 33-year-old opener who was crowned the 2018 Top 14 player with Oyonnax. Before passing through UBB and then Castres, with whom he was vice-champion of France last season.

Three days before the trip to Van on behalf of the 27^H Tournament day, Chanzy’s capture on Tuesday after training.

Whether it starts or not, I want to do everything I can for maintenance, that’s just it.

I arrived in Angoulême on Monday. Have you ever had the chance to come see your brother Jacob?

Ben Botica. No, it’s the first time. Sunday evening I arrived at his and his girlfriend’s house, with my girlfriend, my grandson and my dog. The house is complete!

Have you followed SA XV results and matches this season?

Yes, I watch all the matches, especially when Jacob is playing. I know the team quite a bit, and I’m here now to help them. It’s a little easier because I watched how they attack.

Is it difficult for an opening player to fit in the game’s patterns, combos, and ads in such a short time? Jacob helps you a lot?

Yes, but it’s a bit complicated. Especially for him, and for me too. It’s a bad decision, sorry (smiles), because if I come I might play and he doesn’t, and if I don’t come I’ll stay in Castries in the stands. It was a tough decision because I don’t play much and I want to play, but my brother is here.

It’s a decision we made together, and we’ve talked about it a lot before. I’m also coming for him, maybe we can play together for the last time because I’m older now, and I don’t know how much time I have left. So I decided to come and train with him, and maybe we’d play together. We’ve played seven times together, but this is the first time we’ve played on the same professional team.

She has played very little since the start of the season at Custer. Only 144 minutes in six matches. how do you feel ?

good, very good. I stayed in the weight room and trained with the loose team. It was a complicated year. thus. Castries decided to have the youth play Urdapilleta (Editor’s note. LeBron, 20, has played 16 Opening Games, including 7 starters). Me, I have to stay focused. When you don’t play a lot it’s very hard, but that’s what happens to a lot of gamers. You have to stay focused and if you have an opportunity, seize it.

SA XV is completely different from Castres?

Yes. Castres is a very strong attacking team. They like to put pressure all the time, they defend a lot, even if they played a bit more in the last two games and that was very good, since we beat Lyon and Toulouse. But usually, he applies pressure, he defends, and they take the penalties.

Vincent Ichito took a slightly different look at the role of the editor, which many expect in animation.

Yes, there are a lot of animations, but they are really good for me. If you can touch the ball as much as possible, that’s fine. I want the ball in my hands, to make decisions in attack, but I also have to press my legs. Today, moreover, he was very good at training.

SA XV is 13^H And he has four matches to guarantee his maintenance in Pro D2. Is it a big challenge to face?

naturally ! That’s the only reason I’m here to help the team. Whether it starts or not, I want to do everything I can for maintenance, that’s just it.

You know the Pro D2 Championship you feuded with Oyonnax.

Yes, with Oyonnax and Périgueux a long time ago (ed. note. in 2011-12 for his first season in France) with Pierre (Lafitte) and Gautier (Gibouin). There is not much difference between Pro D2 and Top 14, only the stars who play in Top 14. But defense and fighting is also difficult.

You’re talking superstars, but you’re the one who was voted 14th MVP of 2018 with Oyonnax, you’re the one!

no no no no ! It was just a great season for me. I’ve had a good nine with James Hall, a good twelve with UJ Seutini. They helped me all season. For me, it was a bit of a strange season because I was playing really well but we didn’t win (Editor’s note. Oyonnax is down to Pro D2). thus.

Ichito: “I had a lot of potatoes”

Last Friday after the victory over Provence, Vincent Ecchito said he was troubled by the fact that he wasn’t fixed on his future as he neared the end of his contract. “I had a lot of potatoes, now it’s over, we’re going to a fan match. We don’t talk about it, it doesn’t matter to anyone but me.”He evacuated this Tuesday at a press conference before wading into Ben Butica’s reinforcements.
“He’s trained really well. He’s a top 14 player, a great player. While we’re trying to get our rugby to be like high-level rugby, he’s found his bearings quite easily. pointed out the SA XV manager, who is expecting New Zealand’s opener on loan from Castres “Whether he’s a conductor, which is what I ask Mateo (Ugaldi), Yaaqoub (Botica) or Remy (Brucet, excellent in the post Friday against Provence). »
The only problem “It’s almost a sibling to see Jacob arrive with his brother who is a little more talented than him, who has more experience, it’s hard. She told Didier (Picchu, head of SA XV) that should be taken into account. After chatting with the two of them, they were in the same state of mind. It was a joy to meet again and a misfortune to step on each other’s toes a little bit. The choice has been made, I agree with it and I hope that these are the good sides that will turn out. »