The Argentinian Racing 92 winger, author of the winning try against Toulon, talks about his team’s qualification. But remember that this is just a step before the final stages.
What predominates after this victory against Toulon And the essay you entered?
Juan Imhoff : The emotion is complicated… There are a lot of people who think we won something but we just qualified. I’m honest with you: it would have been the first time that Racing didn’t qualify for the Top 14. Can you imagine that? Me, in my head, I was stressed all week. For me, we achieved our minimum objective. We are in Racing to win titles. I do not hide from you that I am still angry about the European Cup (defeat in the semi-final against La Rochelle, editor’s note). A qualification in Top 14, it is not nothing. That’s our first objective… Hot, I can’t manage to share my feelings. It was weird that the last game of the season was so tight. It’s not easy, it was a real round of 16.
And your test?
I’m happy, we needed it at this time of the match. It is a test that is not given. I don’t even know where the bullet came from. I was surprised. But that’s how it is, I’ve always been told that you have to be in the right place at the right time. (…) I wouldn’t say it’s talent. But what made my strength in my career is to be everywhere, all the time.
Read alsoRacing-Toulon: the favorites and scratches of our special correspondent
Is it still a relief to say that you are not the first Racing team not to qualify?
This time, we really came close to failing to qualify. I don’t want to be too hard on myself and the team, but sometimes we see each other too handsome. Rugby is not that, it is not talent. With fifteen talents, you do nothing at all. I think getting back to basics has done us good. I’m a little tired of people saying that rugby is a reaction team. It’s hard because after a while, it won’t go away. As an experienced player due to my age, I try to convey this message. We just did the job, we are in the quarter-finals.
You’re not going to see me with a beer or eat anything. I have a match to prepare, maybe the most important because it’s the next one
Juan Imhoff
Have you ever had such a decisive last regular season game?
No. There is one against Bordeaux in 2017, apparently it was the only game like that. When you have it both ways and you don’t have a large enough squad, it’s complicated. The Top 14 is the longest and most complicated championship in the world. We saw it with Toulon who chained twelve matches in a row without having a weekend off. It is too hard…
Racing is still in the final phase but wins few titles. How to cure it ?
Personally, my priority is my recovery. You’re not going to see me with a beer or eat anything. I have a match to prepare, perhaps the most important because it’s the next one. I try to convey this message to young people: nothing is guaranteed. I am never satisfied. Even when someone comes to congratulate me. I’m touched because there are guys who leave and who are brothers. True brothers.
