Chabal to get physical Down Under
Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:24
Caveman cometh: Sebastien Chabal arrives in Australia
France forward Sebastien Chabal arrived in Australia on Tuesday, vowing to get physical against the Wallabies in a two-Test series kicking off in Sydney on Saturday.
Instantly recognisable because of his shaggy beard and flowing locks, Chabal is the highest profile player in a French squad missing many of its major stars as the domestic season builds to a climax.
Chabal, nicknamed 'Caveman' for his rugged, hairy appearance, said he wanted to inspire France to their first victory over the Wallabies in Australia since 1990, employing his trademark direct style.
"For me, it's good to carry some ball and, after, the team can follow me," he told reporters.
"My principle quality is to be direct and to be physical... you can't change that.
"Because I started rugby quite late, 16 or 17, now with the years I try to open a bit my eyes and to play a different type of rugby. But I will keep being direct until the end of my career because that's my game."
Chabal said he accepted his fame in France but also appreciated the relative anonymity of England, where he plies his trade with Sale Sharks.
"If I was playing in France, it would be difficult because my life now in France, everybody knows me," he said.
"But because I'm playing in England, my life is still the same in England. I am quiet and that's what I like."
The soft-spoken Frenchman said he would let his rugby do the talking on the field.
"I don't want to talk about myself, that's it. I'm here to play rugby. I'm not here to speak about me," he said.
AFP
