UBB Final - Toulouse: Moefana - Depoortere a hellish duo "with superpowers"

The complicity and complementarity of its two three-quarter centers constitute a major asset in the UBB game. They have perhaps become the benchmark pair in France.

"Their partnership is not far from perfect. It's of the highest level and we'll see it again in the French team." One can take a very Toulouse-like view of rugby, like Erik Bonneval, the former international three-quarters for the Rouge et Noir, and still be seduced by the talent of the Bordeaux duo Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere. It's true that it's difficult to turn away from the obvious.

In Lyon, the two center backs played a major role in UBB's qualification for the Top 14 final at the expense of Toulon. Moefana shattered the Var defense for two of Bordeaux's five tries but also opened the door for Maxime Lamothe to score his second. Depoortere scored the first try, provided the fourth for his hooker, and cut off the Var attacks from wide.

Complicity, the ability to express themselves in different registers, to force the lock with shoulder strikes or to play in the gaps, the UBB duet offered samples of everything expected of a pair of centers against the Varois. In what is obvious as well as in the work behind the scenes. Saturday evening, the duel they will deliver to the Toulousains Santiago Chocobares and Pierre-Louis Barassi will be one of the keys to the final.

"They have an impressive range," emphasizes Christophe Laussucq, UBB's defensive coach. "They complement each other both offensively and defensively. Yoram is very good in tight spaces. In defense, he's tough on the man. He likes anything that hits. Nico, on the other hand, is quick on the outside. He's very good at reading the opposing attack. The 13-man defense is the most difficult, and he communicates very well. He's a real strength."

"We realized that we had the number 12 of the French team for the next five years."

Although their builds are very different - Moefana is massive (1.82 m – 97 kg), Depoortere is more slender (1.94 m – 96 kg) - the two can't be pigeonholed into stereotypical roles. "They complement each other, of course, but above all, they're versatile," says Noel McNamara, the UBB attack coach. "They're first and foremost very good rugby players. Nicolas has played both center positions and on the wing in the under-20s. Like Yoram in the French national team. They're both effective in the contact zone, but we can see that Yoram can also play playmaker. What's certain is that both possess superpowers."

There's always a maturation period in a player's career. Over the past two seasons, Moefana's untapped resources were evident. It was as if there was an inner barrier within this introverted boy. This barrier seems to have been lifted during the Six Nations Tournament, where the Futuna native has risen to a level that places him among the world's leading players in his position. "Look at the ages of the best 12s on the planet: Jordie Barrett (28), Bundee Aki (35), Sione Tuipulotu (28). Yoram, on the other hand, is only 24," McNamara points out.

"He went through a normal learning process," Laussucq analyzes. "He gained experience and faced the difficult game situations of international matches. He made mistakes sometimes. It's a necessary step. But like all good players, he doesn't make the same mistake twice. This winter, his talent was recognized at the international level. He was somewhat in the shadows, and then we realized we had the number 12 of the French team for the next five years, perhaps. The way others look at you makes you grow and gives you confidence."

Nicolas Depoortere (22) has never lacked this confidence. From the moment he made his professional debut, his speeches among the veterans were surprising for a 20-year-old. "He possesses a very natural leadership style," judges McNamara. "He is listened to," confirms Laussucq. "Nicolas has the charisma and character to be a future captain of the UBB."

The injuries that plagued part of his season—a broken cheekbone and a sprained ankle—and hampered his progress are now behind him. A radiant Depoortere has taken his place alongside Moefana. "They're two kids from Bègles. They grew up at the club, even though Yoram arrived later than Nico. In a way, they symbolize UBB's progression."

"What I feel is their desire to go out and get that little extra percentage," McNamara adds. "At their level, it's not easy to find. But they have that will."

This duo is an anchor and a promise for UBB.