Tolofua-Garbisi exchange between the MHR and Toulon: “When I see press releases like that, I want to laugh”

MHR manager Patrice Collazo spoke at a press conference this Saturday, January 27. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

The week was hectic off the field for Montpellier Hérault Rugby and Rugby Club Toulonnais, between the announcement of the arrival of hooker Christopher Tolofua at MHR in exchange for fly-half Paolo Garbisi . Hérault manager Patrice Collazo, questioned on this subject this Saturday January 27 after the victory against Pau (22-17), spoke.

He hesitated. Between remaining measured and saying what he thinks, Patrice Collazo took a middle ground. "There is a season in progress, players in the middle", prefers to temper the Montpellier manager. The subject ? The announcement in the press Thursday January 25 of the imminent arrival of the Toulon hookerChristopher Tolofua (30 years old, 8 caps) in exchange for Hérault fly-half Paolo Garbisi (23 years old, 31 caps with Italy). According to our information, the operation should have taken place at the beginning of next week.

But the transaction took a turn for the worse as of Thursday evening. RC Toulon, in a press release, denied these transfer rumors. There are rumors that the operation could completely fail.

Le RCT a découvert avec surprise les allégations de transfert publiées par certains médias concernant deux de ses joueurs.

Christopher Tolofua est engagé avec le club et poursuivra sa saison en 🔴&⚫. Il en est de même pour Dany Priso qui est sous contrat jusqu'en juin 2025.

— RCT – RC Toulon (@RCTofficiel) January 25, 2024

"I saw that Toulon had been surprised"

When asked about this, Collazo first cut it short: "The club (from Toulon) has issued a press release, the subject is closed."

A short silence settles in, faced with the absence of reminders from the journalists. He continues: "I don't I don't really know what to tell you. I have direct management, no weather vane", he slips. That is to say ? "Those who know me know that I am not into mythomania. Surprise has its limits. I saw that Toulon was surprised. When I see press releases like that, I want to laugh. I too was surprised to read it."

Behind these statements, we can understand that the file did exist. That the arrival of Tolofua in exchange for the departure of Garbisi was at a very advanced stage. It even seems that the Italian carried out a video interview with the Toulon athlete. But the file would be on standby. To be continued.