"It's always a great feeling for me to play at Mayol": Florent Vanverberghe, a Toulon-trained player from Castres, speaks out before the RCT play-off.
You can't get any more Varois than that! Born in La Seyne in July 2000, Florent Vanverberghe discovered rugby at the age of 5 under the RCT colors. The youngster then went through all the categories of the red and black team, until wearing the first team jersey in October 2018. And at 24, now one of the Top 14's references in the second row position, "VVB" is (finally) preparing to realize a childhood dream: to play a final phase match at Mayol. Except that contrary to what he imagined as a child, it is not with the RCT jersey that he will enter the Toulon pitch, but rather with that of Castres. A special event.
You qualified with just one point ahead of 7th -placed La Rochelle. Did you experience it as a milestone or a sigh of relief?
At the start of the season, we set ourselves two goals: to qualify for the European Cup, which we did, and to finish in the top six in the Top 14. So our season has already been quite successful. However, don't imagine that this is an end in itself. We are three matches away from making history, from experiencing exceptional emotions, so we want to go as far as possible. We are aware that it will be very, very tough in Toulon, and that we will find ourselves in an extraordinary environment, but we want to play our luck to the fullest.
Were you afraid that qualification might escape you?
Not really, because since his arrival last summer, Xavier [Sadourny, manager of CO] has brought us a lot of rigor and precision. And we have seen on several occasions that what we were doing on the pitch could have some impact. Then we spent the last three or four months in the top 6. So this qualification, we did not steal it. So everything was not perfect, obviously, but we were consistent in our effort. Perhaps the only moment when I doubted was in the 60th minute of the last day, when I looked at the scores on the other pitches and I saw that we were no longer in the top six. So it lasted twenty minutes, and finally we are there (laughs) .
Toulon has been running a little less smoothly in recent weeks. Does this reassure you?
Not really, because we're not at the level we wanted in terms of content either. No, the RCT is very dense, and deserved to finish behind Toulouse and Bordeaux. It's a complete team, with talent in every position and which will offer us a lot of fighting. We know it's going to be tough, with stifling heat. It's going to be difficult to manage, but we're ready, excited.
Does the end of the season for Montauban ( 6th in the regular phase, who eliminated the 3rd , 2nd and 1st to win the Pro D2 title) inspire you?
We like to draw this parallel; it works and can give us ideas. Just like PSG in the Champions League. These are two teams that started from a long way back, and who ended up winning the competition. I believe that in sport, in general, nothing is written. What makes the difference is the solidarity between the guys. This ability, when it's hard, when it hurts, to sacrifice yourself for your friend. Do I want to make an extra effort for this guy who's next to me and whom I love so much? We, at Castres, may not have the most impressive team, nor the one with the biggest names, but I know that in terms of spirit, we'll always be there.
What does playing a final match at Mayol mean to you?
It's likely to be emotional, I'm preparing for it. I'm going to feel a lot of things, but I have to ignore the environment... There's enough pressure with the fact that it's a playoff match to add to it... But it's always a big deal for me to play at Mayol.
When you were young, you dreamed of playing in the finals on this pitch with Toulon. You're going to do it, but in a different jersey. Is that a little strange?
Coming to Toulon is always a special match. To say otherwise would be a lie. The preparation is different, and so is the pressure. I dreamed of playing in the final stages in the red and black jersey, but it didn't happen. And today, I'm in Castres, I'm very happy, I love this team, these players, and it's with the CO that I want to win.
Should people come and see you?
A little, since I have already reserved fifteen places (laughs) .
On May 8, Castres Olympique experienced a real tragedy, with the death of its winger Josaia Raisuqe (30 years old), following a car accident. A tragedy that obviously shocked the Tarnais, who continue to mourn every day the loss of their teammate, their friend.
"As you can imagine, it was terribly complicated for us. We experienced some difficult weeks. But paradoxically, this period allowed us to get closer to the Fijian community, which is extraordinary. Fijians spend a lot of time together, and following this tragedy, they welcomed us with open arms. And we experienced some magical moments with them ," says Florent Vanverberghe, still deeply affected by the loss of his friend.
And he continued: " If you can put it that way, it's the 'gift' Josh gave us, which allowed us to experience moments we probably never would have experienced otherwise. The group has therefore become even closer with this mourning. And we continue to pay tribute to him after each match. Josh is still with us, he helps us, is still there."
Var-Matin
