Great architect of La Rochelle’s success at home against Racing 92 on Sunday evening (33-6) when he had not been included in the list of protected Blues with a view to the clash against the Springboks next weekend, Gregory Alldritt (28 years old) had very strong words after the meeting and delivered an update about his alleged injury. The third row of the Maritimes, who played his 150th match with the Rochelais, also declared his love for his club.
Alldritt, (very) strong words. There was no need to listen for very long to the star third row of Stade Rochelais at the microphone of Canal Plus after the new demonstration (33-6) of his team – still undefeated at home – Sunday evening against Racing 92 on the pitch of the Marcel-Deflandre stadium to understand how badly the former captain of the XV of France had experienced not having been selected, in the middle of the week, among the 23 players protected by Fabien Galthié in view of Saturday’s clash next at the Stade de France against South Africa.
His downgrade, Alldritt, who played his 150th match against the Ile-de-France residents in the colors of Stade Rochelais, certainly has a lot of difficulty digesting it, in the same way that he keeps it in his throat having heard that he was injured. “There were quite a few twists and turns and a lot of disappointment. I needed a little bit of love, whether from the team or the stadium, and they gave me a lot of it today. It’s a special evening. Many things have been said but it was a neck discomfort, nothing more. There was a sporting choice that was made, I respect it, and I wanted to give three hundred percent of myself for this club. »
Alldritt: “Want to do everything for this French team”
A club to which he addressed a declaration of love after this most special match for him in terms of emotion. As for La Rochelle supporters, they must have appreciated hearing that their favorite number 8, who received an incredible welcome on Sunday and whose name was chanted throughout the evening, was not about to leave Charente Maritime. “I repeat: I received a lot of love and that gives a lot of meaning to why I play here and why I played 150 matches here and why I want to do a lot more here. That’s why we do this sport, that’s why I play in this club and that’s why I want to continue playing in this club for a very long time. »
In the meantime, he will return to Marcoussis on Monday, without yet knowing whether he will stay or whether he will be left available to La Rochelle again, for the trip to Toulon next Sunday in a late match. But here too, Alldritt’s message, very poignant in addition, is very clear. “I love my country and I want to do everything for this French team. Whatever role the staff gives me, I will be at three hundred percent trying to help my friends beat the reigning double world champions, who want to come to France to impose their rugby. » It remains to be seen whether the one who certainly reshuffled the cards on Sunday in the mind of Galthié will have the opportunity.
