Raring to go: Antonie Claassen
South African-born Antonie Claassen insisted that despite criticism of his being selected for France's squad for the Six Nations match with England his heart belonged to the French.
The 28-year-old flanker, who moved to France in 2007, first playing for Brive before moving to Castres, was a surprise pick by coach Philippe Saint-André on Monday.
However, Saint-André - desperate to get France off the mark after two defeats, against Italy and Wales, and stave off talk about a first wooden spoon for the French since 1957 - opted for the highly-rated South African.
"I let it slide," said Claassen about the criticism that greeted his selection, the first South African-born player to be named in a French squad since centre Brian Liebenberg in 2003.
"I tried not to read too much of the press this week. Of course it puts a bit more pressure on me, that is normal.
"But I received plenty of messages, on Facebook, Twitter or my mobile phone from France and South Africa. I understand that it gets people talking. Yes, I am South African but my heart is here and I am going to give everything for the country, I am going to play to my limits."
Claassen said that he had received a gentle ribbing over how he was going to address the French national anthem.
"The Marseillaise? I know it by heart, don't worry," he said.
"I was the subject of teasing in the Castres changing room because of that. I don't know who, but someone stuck the words onto my locker. It made me laugh."
Claassen said that his call-up was still sinking in.
"I am very proud. It is an honour. It is extraordinary to be here," he said.
"It was a pretty crazy week. When I arrived in France, it wasn't for the money or the contract.
"It was just to discover the country, to play here. It is a huge day, five-and-a-half years after my arrival in France, I find myself in the French squad.
"When he (Philippe Saint-Andre) told me that I was in the 23 I said that I was ready.
"I still do not believe it, it is magnificent. You always dreams of this day but I never thought it would arrive so quickly. Now it is for me to do the job."
Comments
gozar2013 says...
Nothing against Classenn but I can't make any sense of Saint Andres selection when.he has plenty of good young frenchmen to pick from. It does nothing for the morale of the young French forwards trying to get into the French team. He should also be trying to build a young side in preparation for the 2015 world cup. I'm.afraid with Saint Andre in charge France will continue to go downhill and in someday I Hope it happens in the six nations, because the sooner he is gone the better.
Posted 01:50 19th February 2013
KiwiRooster says...
@Lyhel "And is French redneck's point of view, Belgium is just a forgotten French county and French-speaking Africa is still a colony..."
Wow! Are you still living in the 50's, Marty McFly?
Posted 18:00 18th February 2013
KiwiRooster says...
I have not heard too many complaints from the French supporters about Claassen. Everyone knows Claassen has been a class act for quite some time, the only surprise could come from the fact he has not been picked earlier in the national blue jersey.
Remember that Wenceslas Lauret would be playing instead of Claassen if it was not for his late injury. Antonie Claassen always gave his best at club level, I have no doubt he will bring steel to the French third row, possibly replacing Thierry Dusautoir who is yet to recover his best form.
Now the question is: can Claassen and Dusautoir keep it going until RWC 2015?
There is no shortage of flankers with international potential in France: Lauret, Lapandry, Hezard, Guiry, Gerondeau, Burban, Chollon, Gunther, and Nicolas mostly. Lauret unfortunately seems injury prone which is a pity because he is one of the most complete flankers in the game among the French youngsters. Guiry is another one I really like, the kind who does not mind sticking his neck where it hurts. Gunther of course has been talked about and although I initially thought of him as a number 8, his appearances for Toulon tend to prove he is more appropriate at 6 or 7.
So overall, there is little doubt Claassen fully deserves his selection for the consistency he has shown at club level. Whereas he will succeed in making one of the two flanker positions his own remains to be seen. It is a long way until RWC 2015 and Saint-André will certainly move things around.
My personal guess is that the number 8 position will be assured by Louis Picamoles and Gillian Galan for the years to come. Lakafia has not made any stride at this position since his first national selection from Marc Lievremont.
The current French flankers are in a very competitive place, that's for sure.
Posted 17:55 18th February 2013
kybone says...
luv2h8- Please don't misunderstand my point. Im not trying to create another debate about player eligability. I was simply challenging the statement 'Claassen about the criticism that greeted his selection, the first South African-born player to be named in a French squad since centre Brian Liebenberg in 2003.' Of course he is the first South African since Liebenberg but it seemed to me like they were suggesting that he'd be the only foreign born in the squad. I mean, why is it a particular problem that he's South African?
Posted 16:41 18th February 2013
passtheball says...
Houston_11 - it is tiresome - but that didnt stop a decade or more of really tiresome bleating about NZ born PI players in the ABs that came from the UK press and fans. So now they are into poaching bigtime its OK now then? Forget the hypocrisy eh?
Posted 01:09 18th February 2013
PREEST says...
Cry me a river. Sean Maitland is as Kiwi as they come and he plays for Scotland. RICKY flutey and Thomas Waldrom are Kiwi and they played for England. Manu Tuilagi is the only one of his brothers not to play for Samaoa but plays for England instead.
I think people are getting up in arms about it because hes South African and has to speak French....And we all know how proud the French are, they're fans don't want to see a non-Frenchmen in the squad. I hope he plays well and shows the French how to go forward.
Posted 23:18 17th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Isograford: leave Samoa out of it. You can not accuse them of taking NZ talent. They have a diaspora that extends far and wide but it's not comparable if they draw on that.
Posted 23:03 17th February 2013
SaffainNice says...
Well done Boet! Do yourself proud
Posted 19:28 17th February 2013
Houston_11 says...
Tiresome is the exact word on this debate.
He's not doing anything wrong - it's well within the rules so stop bloody moaning about it. It's a level playing field for all countries.
Posted 18:35 17th February 2013
Isograford says...
@luv2h8 What 'non-maori' polynesians players for nz are you referring to? Have you ever been to Auckland? The Largest polynesian population on the planet, or do you just see polynesian and assume they're from the islands?
The All Blacks currently field the most home grown side of any of the top nations, the recent exception being Jerome Kaino, who grew up in Auckland but was born in American Samoa. But y'know, never let facts get in the way of a good myth.
If we're talking about practically 'foreign' sides taking the field these days, one should go through the so called Manu Samoa team (most born and raised in nz) and the Aussie team. England would be fast catching up in that regard too.
Posted 18:29 17th February 2013
papachinzo says...
@kybone yes, and Serge Betsen was from Cameroon. he played last in 2007 !
Posted 14:53 17th February 2013
Iyhel says...
@kybone: looks like the definition of the Wooden Spoon isn't exactly settled; when English-speaking people use it, it refers to the bottom standing team in the 5/6N; on the other side of the Channel it means one team losing all their matches. I assume this article is a translation of a French press release, hence the confusion.
And please note that from an administrative point of view, both Nyanga and Debaty have the French nationality, which is not (yet?) Claaseens's case. And is French redneck's point of view, Belgium is just a forgotten French county and French-speaking Africa is still a colony... South Africa is much more exotic...
Posted 14:39 17th February 2013
passtheball says...
What does this say about French born loose forwards?
Posted 13:26 17th February 2013
atg77 says...
This information is inaccurate. New Zealand - born Tony Marsh played center for France between 2001 - 2004.
Posted 13:21 17th February 2013
luv2h8 says...
@kybone. Besides fulgence ouedraogo and Nyanga both grew up in France so your point is invalid. Besides i'm not sure Burkina Faso or Zaire could even field teams. This is such a tiresome debate. Every country is up to it. Beast is from zimbabwe. numerous non maori polynesians play for both Australia and NZ. European talented nicking of SH players is well documented. In fact the so-called foreign players for france are less foreign than the others in the rest of the world.
Posted 13:16 17th February 2013
philip274 says...
PR - Check the third paragraph typo "desperate to get France off the mark after two defeats, against Italy and France" presume it should be Wales ;)
It's not the first time I helped you out, but you can thank me later.
Posted 11:29 17th February 2013
rugbyheim says...
Bonne chance Monsieur Claasen! I'm sure you'll do a fine job for Les Bleus. Give it everything you've got!!
Posted 10:37 17th February 2013
kybone says...
Well two problems with this form me. First, France finished bottom of the old 5 nations in '99, though i realise they may be referring to winless cmpaigns. Secondly, there are already a couple of players not born in France in the current French squad to my knowledge. One being Yannick Nyanga- Zaire, and another being Vincent Debaty- Belgium. I've noticed a few of these school boy errors creeping into this site. Sort it out PR. Most people might not be bothered, but its annoying the knowledgable readers when we read an article that states facts that we know to be wrong.
Posted 10:30 17th February 2013