American Carcassonne: New Zealander James Ah Hing fears the French

Just hours before the Rugby World Cup kicks off, all the oval ball fans are running out of patience. At 9:15pm this Friday at the Stade de France, the opening poster was drooling. Because the French, at home and the big favorites for the competition, in the wake of their captain Antoine Dupont, have been challenging the All Blacks from the start. Picking New Zealand (three-time world champions) which is always exciting. Between fear and admiration. Within the “yellow and black” of USC, one player will experience this encounter more intensely than others. New Zealand youngster James Ah Heng (20) who arrived in the off-season is “Impatient” To find himself in front of his television set, with USC’s Samoan three-quarter center Jordan Politoa. This small pocket of Pacific Islanders in the land of Aude will push hard to support the All Blacks. But when it comes to predictions, James Ah Hing is rather pessimistic about his team. “I think France will win.”

It must be said that the results of the gang in Galthia, and the increase in their quality over the past four years, are enough to arouse admiration. “It will be difficult to beat the French, especially at home and in front of their fans. They are very strong. I think at the moment they are better than the New Zealanders.” He confesses. However, he does not despair. “I hope we play well and meet the French in the final.”He offered with a mischievous little smile. Behind the sincere humility, so often shared by his country’s players, James Ah Hing hides a true love for the game, like all his compatriots. in new zealand, “Rugby is part of our culture”trusts the man who was born in Oakland, the most populous city in the country. “It means a lot to everyone.”

It doesn’t take much for New Zealand children to be running around playgrounds from a very young age with an oval ball in hand. “A lot of people in my family play rugby.”It is clear. Even at the highest level, in relation to his uncle Sam Tuitobo, his mother’s brother. “He wore an All Blacks jersey.” That was between 2004 and 2006, years during which he collected 9 selections for the central three-quarter position. Before that, Sam Tuitopo captained the New Zealand Under-19 team, the Babies Blacks, who were world champions in 2001, and the Under-21 team, which also won the title in 2004. “And my half-brothers are also on the junior national team.”

This means that when he sees the black shirt with fern on the screen on Friday, he will have a little pain in his heart. Even if he mentions France and South Africa among the candidates, he has a secret hope of seeing his people live up to his legend.