“To maintain, it’s not the best at rugby who wins”, the best of conference before the MHR-Toulon match

Patrice Collazo et les joueurs du MHR affronteront Toulon, ce dimanche en Top 14. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Montpellier faces Toulon this Sunday, January 7 (9:05 p.m.) at the GGL Stadium, an important match as highlighted by MHR manager Patrice Collazo and second row Marco Tauleigne at a press conference.

Reunion with his training club for Patrice Collazo, the manager of the MHR. But for the latter, the only objective is to get the Montpellier club out of its misery. Having experienced it last season in Brive, he knows that the mission will be difficult. "Maintenance requires total commitment from the guys. Playing in this championship is not the same thing. it requires mental resources that you have to draw from deep within yourself. When you get a hold it's the price of a Brennus, he warns.

"You have to configure the players, after each setback, it’s very complicated. After the defeat in Lyon (20-18), we felt that the mental impact is essential. In this championship, it is perhaps not the best at rugby who wins, it is the one who, mentally, takes a step forward, analyzes the Varois.

"There are cursors to have but setting them up takes time. Above all, everyone must be on the same page. It takes crazy collective energy, we have to mobilize everyone. We won't do it with 15 guys. You have to create a dynamic in survival mode… Playing for survival is not at all the same sport. It’s exhausting for an entire club. The president was very marked after Lyon, the people in the offices… Everyone realizes this. It’s a general mobilization.

"We have the cards in hand"

Marco Tauleigne was also present during the traditional pre-match press conference. He who has regained playing time in recent weeks wants to remain optimistic about the MHr's chances of returning to success. 

"All matches are important, especially in our situation. We do our best, trying not to go there stressed, with a lump in our stomach. We are aware of where we are, and what we must do to get out of it. We must continue to move forward and not repeat what happened. spent last week in Lyon,” says the second line.

"This is the only way to get through it. I have confidence in the work and energy we put into it. I hope we get paid. We are the ones who hold the cards. But the truth will be Sunday and the next matches,” he assures us.