/ 19 September 2007

French ‘Caveman’ earns cult status

France have traditionally had an iconic player in their flair-filled rugby ranks, whether it be Jean-Pierre Rives, Jo Maso or Serge Blanco. And to these ranks can now be added Sebastien Chabal, such has been the adulation from the French spectators for the 29-year-old.

”The Caveman” is just one of the nicknames he has accrued in recent times for his unfashionably long hair and beard, and his two tries against part-timers Namibia last Sunday only served to increase his cult status among the French supporters.

For such an immense person he is remarkably disarming and understated off the field. Not for him the cryptic musings of former France international footballer Eric Cantona; even his choice of car is minimal as he drives a Smart car.

”Must be a higher roof than usual, or else they will have to have taken the roof off,” remarked one of his teammates.

With his barnstorming performances, Chabal has become the darling of French children, with offers from a chocolate firm, a cereal company and others, but his agent, Karine Rossigneux, sister of French team press spokesperson Lionel, has rejected offers from construction firms trying to exploit his size.

For their part the French management team have performed a smart u-turn when it comes to assessing Chabal’s sudden importance to the team, as the normally back-row forward has been included in the squad to be a lock instead.

Laporte acknowledges that Chabal, who has won 33 caps that have been spread over seven years since he made his debut against Scotland in March 2000, is worth every penny and that he has made remarkable improvements in his game since he joined English Premiership side Sale in 2004.

”Now he has the capacity to last the whole 80 minutes,” said Laporte.

Maso, who was one of France’s most flamboyant centres, was understandably more flowing and complimentary about Chabal than Laporte, who was an above-average scrumhalf for Begles-Bordeaux.

”Four years ago, he was a different player,” said Maso, who has displayed remarkable survival characteristics in remaining manager of the French team for three World Cups.

”It is wonderful, because he is always progressing. Everyone was sceptical apart from us when we opted to make him into a lock instead of the back row.

”We are delighted with the way he has made the transformation.”

For the massive scrummager — who has also accrued the monikers of ”Attila”, ”Rasputin” and from the English media, the ”French Beast” — all this is like water off a rather large duck’s back.

”So they [the French supporters] chant my name. So what. Let’s not talk about it.”

And with someone the size of Chabal, one does not argue with the point as the Irish will find yet again on Friday. — Sapa-AFP