Top 14 – Dimitri Delibes (Stade Toulousain): “Toulouse, I’ve always had stars in my eyes for this club”
TOP 14 – With the approach of the reception of Bayonne as part of the seventeenth day of Top 14, the multipurpose center of the Toulouse Stadium, Dimitri Delibes, present at a press conference, returned to the victory against Montpellier, and on the reception of Bayonne on Saturday afternoon. The player also returned to his extension with the pink city club.
Dimitri, against Montpellier, did you feel the contribution of the bench?
In the second half we were more relaxed, we had more benchmarks than in the first period. I think the bench gave us solidity, especially up front. We really relaxed when we got back from the locker room and we had a great time on the pitch. We sent more play and that worked for us in this game.
How did you experience your match with Juan-Cruz Mallia at the opening?
He’s not originally an opener so there’s a bit of adaptation, but I think he played a great game. He still has small details to work on, but it’s logical that it’s not his training position. After him personally he is a great player, he knows how to adapt for the collective to the position he plays. Honestly it’s a treat to play with him.
Against Montpellier, the Argentinian started at the opening
With five points taken the gap is widening, is the place in the two at the end of the season acquired if the result against Bayonne is positive?
We’re not going to rush. The main thing is to win, on taking five points against Montpellier, so much the better, but we will take the matches one after the other. Last Sunday, it was very delayed, and against Bayonne we will not have to rush. You have to do things in order.
Is your versatility an additional asset in this period of duplication?
Of course ! You have to be versatile and here it is perhaps even more important. After all, the final goal is still to help the collective as much as possible by being able to evolve in several positions. It’s true that I’m more comfortable on the wing or in the middle. At the back I did it against Stade Français, but it was not a reference match (laughs).
The center of Stade Toulousain is able to play in several positions in the back lines
Is this Bayonne team the surprise of this season?
Bayonne has always been a land of rugby, it’s a big team and it shows in the standings. But anyway in this Top 14, today there are no more small teams. They haven’t stolen anything from anyone and they play their rugby very well.
What will be the keys to the match?
We know that they are catchy and brawling in the phases of rucks and on the ground in general. We will have to be ready to respond to this fight that they are going to offer us.
You tasted the extended group of Blues, you were disappointed not to be there this time?
The disappointment, (he hesitates) yes asked when you tasted it, you want to go back every time. But there is a logic, because in view of my last performances, I was not in a good period, I did not chain the meetings in club and my performances were not excellent either. Then I stay here in Toulouse, and the importance is to play and that’s the case with this jersey, so I’m the happiest.
Dimitri Delibes with Romain Ntamack during the preparation of the fall 2022 tour
With your recent extension, do you have a clearer mind?
Yes, we can think of something else now. It was a bit of a special period because it was my first extension as a professional player. Now it’s signed and I have more peace of mind and I’m having more fun on the pitch.
Was it obvious for you to extend with Stade Toulouse?
It’s a certain continuity, I’m at home here, I have my family, my friends. I started rugby at Blagnac, so Stade Toulousain always had stars in my eyes for this club when I saw them play on TV. Now I also have a little taste of unfinished business, because when Toulouse won titles, I was in the squad, even on the bench, and now the goal is to be on the pitch and win them. playing (laughs).
