Toulouse. Marion: “It’s the best team”
The 3rd line of the TO, happy father of a little Mattéo, born last Saturday on the return from Wakefield, approached the reception of Saint-Helens with respect but without fear.
The happiness of being a father for the first time. Anthony Marion knew him last Saturday, when he got off the plane bringing the Toulouse team back from Wakefield where the TO had lost the day before (18-6). He did not have time to think and a dark at the bedside of his wife, Marie, who had just given birth to little Matteo. “It made my weekend more beautiful”, confides the 3rd line from Toulouse, now focused on the reception of Saint-Helens, the ogre of the Super League.
Anthony, were there a lot of regrets following the defeat at Wakefield?
Yes because we make too many mistakes against a team that is well within our reach. We did not know how to seize our opportunities unlike them who were able to score on theirs.
Five games, five defeats, the start of the season is complicated for e TO.
We expected it. We are in full learning but we are still frustrated by certain results. However, we know that we can obtain maintenance.
What is the morale of the troops at the moment?
Monday, the return to training was not the easiest, we have a string of defeats, it is not easy. But the group lives well, works. However, we will have to have results because it will become complicated. But we are working, we are trying to erase our mistakes and then I admit that the departure of two major players (Ford and Kheirallah, editor’s note) three weeks before the start of the season did not help us…
Well, what about the reception of Saint-Helens today?
It’s not the easiest way to get the first points! They have been the best team in the Super League for several years, complete everywhere, in all sectors, they have no faults. It will then be complicated, the objective will be to put our system in place while erasing unnecessary errors. On seeing it well against Wigan, anything is possible. But we couldn’t kill the game and they came back to score for the win. It’s experience, the one we lack at this level.
On a personal level, how do you feel about facing Saint-Helens?
It’s always a pleasure to face a team of this caliber, it’s still the biggest team in the championship. It’s motivating and above all not scary because matches like these mark a career.
Your team-mates Joseph Paulo and Dominique Peyroux recently played for Saint-Helens, did they advise you on certain aspects?
You know, Saint-Helens is so complete… Above all, we will have to make the almost perfect match to resist. It is still the best team in the Super League on what they show, with the Catalans Dragons.