“I struggle every day with my weight”: the colossus Posolo Tuilagi confides before France-Italy

Posolo Tuilagi est entré en jeu lors du premier match du Tournoi des 6 Nations face à l'Irlande. MAXPPP – Andrew Matthews

Après deux premières sélections contre l'Irlande et l'Ecosse, Posolo Tuilagi devrait vivre sa première titularisation avec le XV de France, ce dimanche 25 février, contre l'Italie. 

Tuilagi, is it a difficult name to have in rugby ?

No. It's a name that I bear with pride and honor. I come from a family that has a great heritage in rugby. I'm just trying to live up to it. My family is everything to me. My father (Henry Tuilagi, ex-Samoan international and 2009 French champion with Perpignan) is really present. We debrief the matches, he gives me advice. He experienced what I am experiencing now. Even if rugby has changed a little since its time (smile), the basics remain the same. He reminds me every day that to succeed, you have to work hard.

What do you remember from your first selections for the French team ?

What struck me was the intensity of the matches. It's different from what I've experienced so far: you sprint 80% of the time, or more; the collisions are harder, rougher… But I like it (smile) The biggest difference is the precision. Opposite me, I have players who have a lot of experience, who know exactly what to do, when to do it.

Sunday, you could experience your first start with the XV of France.

I hope so! We will see. I enjoy being there. It's an honor to be part of this group. But whether I'm a starter or on the bench, I accept my role. I am at the service of the group: if I have to finish the match, I do it; if I have to start it, I do it. Just being there, sharing these moments and the experience with the group, it's great!

I learn new things every day and it makes me gain confidence. Little by little, I hope to improve my level and improve myself as a person.

"I know what I have to do"

How do you view your association with Cameron Woki ?

It's a different profile from mine. He's a really good player and he helps me a lot, especially on the keys or the running game. He took me under his wing a little, I admire that. But the whole team advises me: I keep my ears open and I take everything I can get.

What does the staff ask of you ?

They tell me to use my qualities and really not to change what I do on weekends. Just to do it a little more precisely, a little faster.

These are details that are necessary to pass the international level. These are not big changes, it is small details that change a match. I still have a lot of progress to make. Being here makes me progress. I'm learning, I'm learning. Here, I see aspects of rugby that I don't see elsewhere.

Do they talk to you about your weight ?

One of the first things that was said to me when I arrived was William Servat who explained to me that, no matter what weight, I just need to be happy in everyday life. That’s what’s important to him.

I struggled a lot with my weight (146 kg) so hearing him tell me that gave me confidence. I struggle with my weight every day. I know it's important, although I try not to pay too much attention to it.

At the end of the day, you are responsible for yourself, it's not possible to have someone on your back every day. I know what I have to do: if I eat a little more at one time of the day, I will eat a little less at another… These are details that change the situation.< /p>

Who is the biggest eater in the Tuilagi family ?

(laughs) He's my little brother! He's 15 years old, he's already my size and he weighs 125-130 kg. He plays like me at Usap, in the youth categories… I hope that we will see a team made up of Tuilagi soon!"