Leaving Pau for La Rochelle, Antoine Hastoy made a move

Still progress. Get out of your comfort zone. Leave in the off season peehis training club and Bayern, where he was born, Antoine Hastoy He wanted to continue his progress and give a new impetus to his career in the Rochelles Stadium. “I wanted a change of scenery, I only knew Bao at the end of my career, I felt it was time to grow up, to play at the top of the tableI realized without wood language. And the fact that it is a family club, as in Pau, suits me perfectly and quickly convinced me.

Used to playing bottom of the pecking order with Division Baloise, the one who started rugby at RC Billère ASPTT Lescar (aged six) put himself in a serious challenge by joining The club is the European champion, who also plays the main roles in Top 14. At the age of 25, he clearly felt that he had done the question rounds in Pau. Last season, he was the tournament’s second-leading scorer (250 points), behind Lyonnais Leo Purdue, with the 760 points he scored in six seasons with the division. His passing has left some with logical disappointment: “Honestly, the first week was difficult, especially with the fans. With some anyway who, as I know, are not the majority.»

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The whole thing was to see how his adaptation would play out at Charente-Maritime, where he was expected to take control of the game and the role of top scorer, after leaving Checkered Ihaia West (Toulon) Based on Jules Blisson (Clairmont), which manager Ronan O’Gara no longer wanted. Antoine Hastoy, who was crowned with a reputation as a talented player in the making, therefore intended, in his new club, to integrate “as soon as possible»And the “to Dissolve in what is needed here, and bring my qualities“Addition to that.”The most important thing is to get used to the players who are here.”

“It’s a complete life change.”

It is clear that her mission was accomplished for those who knew all the French teams in the youth category (U16, U18, U19). Quick adaptation to his new club, despite some minor physical glitches (sprained ankle at the end of September). The first half quickly made his mark and established himself as the playmaker the Maritimes were looking for. His manager was not surprised by his success, as he confided in it Southwest : “It was not me who gave him this place, it was he who won it in training. There is never bad luck in rugby, the best meets the best. Antoine is full of energy. He is even better than I thought.”

From now on, Antoine Hastoy forms a complementary and effective joint with Former All Blacks scrum-half Tawera Kerr-Barlow. To think that French openers especially value New Zealanders: at Pau he made his mark with Kiwi internationals, openers Colin Slade and Tom Taylor. Before his arrival in La Rochelle, he did not feel the same as before Extra pressure“:”I work to be good and regular. The past years, she smiled at me. I will continue to work at the same intensity. Maybe more than that…»

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According to him, La Rochelle’s environment is conducive to performance. “The group is great, they lift themselves up without negativity. It’s not a boat thing, I felt it from the start. Confident, demanding, It is detailed in Southwest.A big club, the feel of the training, in the structures and the environment too. Pau is organized in this direction, but I can see the difference. For me, it’s a complete life changer. »

“Obviously I’m #3 in the opening position”

Will his impressive debut in his new colors allow him to get on the right bandwagon for the World Cup arriving in eight months? Competition is fierce in the opening, beyond the basics Roman Netmac And the Matthew Gallibert. There is still one ticket to be taken and it will be played between Rochelais, Louis Carbonellalso in the presentation of his new club, Montpellier, OR Leo PerdueDecisive with Leon.

Right now, the No. 10 from La Rochelle only has two options, during the summer rounds in Australia in 2021 then in Japan last year. Did he put himself in danger by changing clubs in a World Cup year? Incredible. “In the end, what do I have to lose? At the moment I’m clearly No. 3 as an opening player in the France squad, captured him Rugby News. The two are in front of me (Netmac and Gallibert) Take the initiative, we can’t hide it. I think I have nothing to lose by coming to a club that wins trophies and wants to play in the finals. For me, I don’t take risks.»The first indications during the upcoming announcement of the selected group Next Six Nations Championship.