Toulon boss explains his criticism of SA star Eben
TOULON president Bernard Lemaitre has explained his January criticism of Springboks talisman Eben Etzebeth as “a handicap” for the French club.
At the time, the club looked destined for a relegation battle - only to turn things around since.
Lemaitre had taken issue with Etzebeth being expensive and often unavailable. However, since then, Etzebeth, who will join the Sharks next year, has proven crucial to turning the club’s fortunes around since returning to the side.
Asked in the latest edition of Midi Olympique for his verdict on the Toulon revival, Lemaitre said: “It’s a magic trick... No, more seriously, there are a lot of objective factors in this return to the fore. Eben Etzebeth took over in February, Charles Ollivon and Baptiste Serin also.
“I won’t teach you anything by telling you that they are very important in the squad. The end of the Six Nations tournament also allowed us to recover Jean-Baptiste Gros and Gabin Villiere and behind that, Franck Azema was able to restore the players’ confidence,” explained the Toulon president, who then reflected on his criticism of Etzebeth.
“In reality, there was above all a misunderstanding when I indicated that the situation of Eben Etzebeth or Facundo Isa was a handicap for clubs like ours because these guys play five months out of twelve. I was talking about their situation, not about the quality of the men.
“We will be very careful,” he added about recruiting South Africans and Argentines in the future. “If we recruit them, they will be very high-level players with a winning mindset. This state of mind, Eben Etzebeth has it. He can’t stand being dominated and, in fact, showed it to Maro Itoje the other day.”
“Eben, to our great disappointment, decided to terminate his contract because he is in love, his wife works in the southern hemisphere and he wants to have a family.”
WALES No.8 Taulupe Faletau starts on his final home appearance for Bath this weekend.
The three-time Lions tourist will feature for the last time at the Rec before his move to Cardiff as Bath host London Irish. It comes at the end of what has been one of the most horrific seasons in the club’s history. Bath are currently rock bottom of the Gallagher Premiership with a points difference of -289 after a series of humiliating results.
Dragons-bound Max Clark, England winger Semesa Rokoduguni and Valeriy Mozorov, who are also leaving the club in the summer, also play as Bath aim to climb off the bottom of the Premiership.
Irish, currently in eighth place, are playing their final game of the season, while Bath still have a trip to Worcester following this weekend’s action.