MON DIEU: French rugby players Mathieu Zamdona, Clement Fillion, Simon Larsonneur and Clement Lallier have joined forced with Brothers Rugby Union Club. They practise their moves with new coach Sam Albert at Quarry Hill. Michaela Harlow
THERE has been a French invasion of the Brothers rugby union side with the addition of four new players.
Bonjour et bienvenue. Hello and welcome to Simon Larsonneur, Clement Fillion, Clement Lallier and Mathieu Zamdona.
The four friends hail from Bordeaux, in southern France, and have played together for 15 years, since they were six years old. Now in their early 20s, they have embarked on a 12-month working holiday in Australia.
Travelling the country and searching for work, the four were introduced to Mackay District Rugby Union through family.
They arrived in Mackay about two weeks ago without any rugby boots, a necessity which has since been supplied.
Simon, who translates for the other three, said they hoped to find work in Mackay.
The four played for Brothers on the weekend helping the team achieve their second win for the season.
Brothers’ president Darren O’Brien said the club was “struggling” for members and really welcomed the four.
They have really strengthened the backline, he said.
Simon is scrum or fly half, Clement F plays eight/flanker, Clement L plays centre/fly half and Mathieu is also a centre.
He said the clubs in Mackay were a lot closer than in France.
As the best English speaker of the four, Simon said he felt a bit like a teacher always having to translate and it made it difficult to find work.
However, the more time they spend with the other team members, the more comfortable the other three feel speaking English with them.
The language barrier may be a challenge, but one that seems to dissolve come game time.
O’Brien said they love singing songs.
“Never seen anyone sing in the shower like those boys,” he said.
The two Clements have even been nicknamed “Clemo”.
“They give the thumbs up, so I think they like it,” O’Brien said.
No comments:
Post a Comment