Bernard Laporte on mission at the MHR: “When he enters a room, everyone is silent”

Bernard Laporte, le directeur du rugby du MHR depuis le 19 novembre dernier. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

Arriving on November 19 at MHR, Bernard Laporte is currently unanimous in the locker room. The results of the coming weeks will be decisive.

He takes a chair, sets it up in the middle of the locker room and sits down. Amid the noise of crampons, bags and straps, Bernard Laporte observes. He doesn't say anything, just looks, analyzes everyone's attitudes.

This scene occurred against Oyonnax on November 26. The final result was not there (14-26 defeat) but the former coach, who had only arrived a week ago as director of rugby, was already setting the tone.

Also read: "Was Montpellier the best choice for Bernard Laporte ? I'I'm not sure", Amélie Oudéa-Castera on the MHR rugby director

Even if he is not the athlete's decision-maker, leaving control to Patrice Collazo, the call from the field is too strong. At each training session, the former president of the French Rugby Federation puts on jogging pants and a down jacket to take a look and say a word to the coaches or certain players. 

"If you don't speak French, don't worry, you understand very well"

His presence does not offend the staff, aware that a permanent sports advisory would cause discomfort. "He intervenes but at specific moments, never over the staff. Bernard is a facilitator. He knows rugby and still has this soul of a coach, of a competitor, assures Collazo.

Those who didn't know Bernard Laporte quickly discovered the guy. “If you don't speak French, don't worry, you understand very well,” smiles fly-half Paolo Garbisi. Cobus Reinach noticed this after the match against Bayonne (34-19 defeat), while he lifted the World Cup a few weeks earlier. Some of them took their rank after Lyon (20-18 defeat), too. "He is not afraid to target,  even those who have of the prize list,” continues Garbisi.

"When he enters a room, you feel him immediately"

Hat on his head, always with his eternal round glasses, "Bernie" imposes it. "When he enters a room, you feel him immediately. I don't know how to explain it but there is a kind of aura, a presence. Everyone is silent, it’s impressive. Without him speaking, we feel that he is the boss. I find it good. If someone had told me that I would be coached by so many guys like that… I think that's cool,' slips the third row on his side Clément Doumenc.

Also read:Bernard Laporte faced with the words of Amélie Oudéa-Castera: "In three years, no one will talk about her anymore, I know the story"

"So many guys like that". Patrice Collazo, Vincent Etcheto and Christian Labit are all number ones, with strong characters. Laporte knew how to make them work together and avoid misplaced egos to ensure he saved the MHR from relegation. These four, plus Antoine Battut (touch), Didier Bès (scrum), Benson Stanley (defense) and Jérémy Valls (football), live pleasantly together.

"I'm always a fan of his speeches. He is direct, frank. It's important in rugby."

"In the long term, he will have a positive effect on us", feels second row Paul Willemse, who rubbed shoulders with him with the XV of France when Laporte was still president of the Federation . "I'm always a fan of his speeches. He is direct, frank. It's important in rugby."

For the moment, the Laporte effect is being felt on the athlete. He does not intervene directly, does not make compositions or give his opinion on the strategy, but he provides a link. On all floors. On recruitment, he is active, has already activated his network.

🎙️ Bernard Laporte : "Ça ne me fait jamais plaisir de voir Toulon perdre."

La réaction du directeur du rugby du @MHR_officiel après la victoire contre son ancien club 27-17.#MHRRCT pic.twitter.com/vbKintlm2x

— CANAL+ Rugby (@CanalplusRugby) January 7, 2024

In the offices, his relationship with Mohed Altrad is still intact. Even if the association of the two men, linked by a legal matter, is disturbing.

At the same time, Bernard Laporte does not hesitate to respond to requests from the media, does not speak in wooden language. He continues to give his opinion on the XV of France, to implicitly castigate its enemies. 

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