Getting to know: France U20s out-half Hugo Reus
Thursday’s second match day at the World Rugby U20 Championship promises another edge-of-seat day of entertainment with plenty of must-see games. Amongst them is the heavyweight meeting of defending world champions France and current Rugby Championship champions New Zealand in Stellenbosch.
Both teams won their opening games last Saturday, the French defeating Spain at DHL Stadium and the Kiwis picking off Wales at Athlone. A standout moment in the victory for France was the incredible out-the-back, no-look pass produced by Hugo Reus in the third minute to create his team’s opening try. Hang it in the Louvre was the general reaction.
Reus was only a late confirmation in the French squad, as it wasn’t until La Rochelle were eliminated from the Top 14 at the semi-final stage that his name was pencilled in to travel out before their opening match.
The No10 was also named as his country’s captain, and it was after he had descended from a photoshoot on top of the DHL Stadium roof that he set aside a few minutes to rattle through the Getting to Know RugbyPass Q&A interview:
THE BASICS
Born: February 21, 2004;
Joined France age-grade: U18, 2021/22;
Club: La Rochelle;
Height: 6ft;
Weight: 84kg;
Position: Out-half;
Boots: Adidas Predator;
Gumshield: Prochocs;
Headgear: No;
School: Victor Louis.
RATE YOURSELF (out of 100)
Pace: Have no clue;
Passing: It’s good, it’s my position at fly-half. I don’t know? 80;
Tackling: I don’t tackle much in the game. 60;
Kicking: 90.
THE PAST
My favourite France player of all time is… I would say Freddie Michalak;
Favourite try I have ever scored is… I would say for La Rochelle (doesn’t specify which one);
A rugby memory that makes me smile is… Last year when we were U20s world champions;
The moment I realised I could make it is… I would say last year when I signed my first contract;
One piece of advice I would give to my younger self is… To continue to work hard;
My best subject in school was… PE;
The first player who made me fall in love with rugby is… Jonny Wilkinson;
Growing up, my position was… I played centre and yes, the back, but mainly fly-half;
The coach who has most impacted my game is… I would say Ronan O'Gara.
THE PRESENT
My best attributes on the field are… My kicking, I think;
One thing I’m doing to improve my education is… Yes, I do business school (Excelia);
My favourite current France player is… I would say Antoine Dupont;
My favourite YouTuber is… Yeah, yeah, I would say Squeezie;
My hardest working teammate is… I would say Leo Carbonneau;
My most skilful teammate is… Leo Carbonneau;
My favourite training drill is… To do some kicking;
My favourite music artist is… Now? Bigflo & Oli.
THE FUTURE
A player who could go all the way is… I hope some of the players do. I would say Mathis Ferte;
If I could play with anyone, I would like to play with… I would say Antoine Dupont;
I will be happy with my career if I… To go to the big team of French rugby and to win some trophy;
One thing I want to add to my game is… I would say my skill;
If I could play in any other country, I would play in… New Zealand;
One person I want to meet is… I would say Jonny Wilkinson;
One trophy I would love to win is… A World Cup.
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Latest Comments
That was foolish the 78th minute penalty attempt by Damian McKenzie, the Ref got it right at the 78:20 sec mark, as McKenzie takes forever to kick the ball. BUT, I was disappointed they went for the penalty with slightly over two minutes to go. If it were SA, they would have kicked the ball out near the 10m line, and gone for the lineout. By the time the two sides set for the Lineout would have left 90 seconds of play left, and a short throw in win on your own throw to muscle out the England near their goal line for 90 seconds, was better than defending in your own half. If McKenzie had missed the penalty shot anyway, England would have held possession to run it at the ABs, and drive themselves into the ABs half in hope to get a penalty. Because if England were to win a penalty in their own 10m goal line, its better than England winning a penalty in the ABs half in the last few seconds.
Go to commentsInteresting -England kick away twice as much ball, make half as many breaks = not a very attacking team like suggested -England tackle nearly twice as much but NZ only carry 1/3 more, so England catching passers (instead of ball runners) 50% more then NZ? = England defensively focused. Expected, but maybe not the volume they thought they would have to deal with so tired and succesfully changed the game up (slowed). -NZ 50% more threatening on attack (3x the strike power with %50 of the ball/opportunity) -NZ not rewarding for their forward dominance = lack of international fine tuning compared to Englands 7 games since WC and the referring change in styles/interpretations
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