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Karmichael Hunt
Heineken Cup Final here we come!
He’s weeks away from coming back to Australia and joining the Gold Coast Football Club but right now he is focussed on success in a Heineken Cup final. Karmichael Hunt blogs exclusively for GCFC.
Its fair to say we went into our semi final berth, underdogs to the European giants Munster. The Spanish stadium of Anoeta provided the ambience of a true French final, with it packing out at around 32,000 people. As i've come to learn since playing in France, there is nothing more important then a home final. The team, especially the local boys truly get a huge moral boost from the home field advantage.
We went into camp for the big match, 5 days prior with the club president Serge Blanco putting us up in one of his hotels, in the beautiful Basque seaside town called Hendaye. After every training session, the boy's and I took part in recovery at Serge's Thalasso Spa (a local French creation) located in his other hotel just around the corner. With our preparation in order, we were more than ready for game day.
The Irish team were tough opponents, that are very well drilled and disciplined. Their side is filled with Irish Internationals who are very well respected among their international counterparts. We knew we had to turn up and give nothing short of our best. I had the privilege of teaming up in the middle with French International, Dimitri Yachvili. Working alongside such and experienced and respected number 9, made my job easier. With Munster crossing early courtesy to a handy counter attack, we had to knuckle down in defence and play field position. The forwards really stepped up in the set piece play, allowing us to gain more possession of the ball and in turn providing better field position. Yachvili was on song with his boot and despite not scoring a single try, we managed to come walk away with a convincing victory. All in all, it was a very encouraging and moral boosting win at the right time of the season.
Our next two weeks are going to be purely focused on our grand final clash against fellow French team, Toulouse in Paris on the 22nd of May. The Heineken Cup is said to be the second best rugby competition behind the World Cup. I can't express how fortunate and excited I am to be taking part!
More updates to come!
K
Nail Biter...
Nail Biter.......
Last week we travelled away to play one of the top 4 sides, Toulon. Boasting a team full of big names we knew the challenge of beating them at home was no easy task.
Despite being down two men in the dying stages of the game we put in a gallant effort, however a late try in the corner put Toulon within a conversation of taking the lead. The final score was 21-20, full credit to the Toulon kicker. This week, Perpignan away.
A win is a win
The home game against Brive turned out to be a low scoring affair with both sides only being able to manage 18 points between them. The Basque region had been under some heavy rain so the pitch was a sloppy mess and the wet conditions made it hard for the players to execute. The final score was 12-6 in our favour and all though it wasn't the prettiest of wins, the boys were happy to be in the winning circle. This week we have no competition game but a training match against our '2nd' side has been booked in. That's gonna be interesting. I am expecting a fiery clash, and I'm sure a few boys feel they have something to prove.
Cider House
We ended a heavy training week last friday with a team trip to a cider house in Spain. We were treated to an evening of tasting the various types of cider produced by the establishment and a traditional meal of Cote de Boeuf.
This week I started running for the first time after tearing my hamstring. I was hoping to be back playing this weekend but rather than rush me back for the match against Brive, club management have decided to reduce the chance of re-injury and push my return back until our next game.
The boys run out tonight in what is a crucial match, a win will put us on track to push for a top 6 finish. After watching the team final Captain's Run today, they looked confident and executed well throughout the session. Let's hope we can take that into the match.
Boys return from holidays
After loosing to Bayonne in the local derby we were allowed 10 days off to lick our wounds after the disappointing defeat.
The annual 6 nations Rugby Tournament forces the French Top 14 to break and it allowed a much needed rest for us players.
A lot of the boys took this opportunity to head out of the country however with my injury I was required to stay put and continue my much needed rehab.
With no game for another week I am fairly confident I can make myself available to play our first game back against Brive.
The hamstring is feeling good so with another week of rehab I'm hoping it will be 100% come next weekend.
Qualification and The Big Derby
Last sunday we managed to clinch a home Quarter Final in the Heineken Cup, with a tremendous win over the Glasgow Warriors. Our game preparation was of a high-standard and it showed in our performance, with the high scoring match turning out to be one of our finest outings in 2010 thus far.
The "high" of winning however was short lived, with the team turning their focus directly toward the big Derby match against Bayonne this Thursday. With this match being a highlight of the rugby calendar in France, I am deeply disappointed not to be able to take part due to injury. The mood down at training has been positive and the boys look good going into tomorrow nights blockbuster game. It is an important match-up, besides of course the local bragging rights which are on the line. The next few weeks we are without a match due to a break being imposed by the running of the Six Nations Tournament. We are hoping to take a win (and the bragging rights) into what will hopefully be a happy and much earned break for us.
Bittersweet for BO-PB
The game last week in Gloucester turned out to be a bittersweet moment for the club.
Although going down in defeat by 15 points to the English powerhouse we managed to snare a birth in the Heineken cup quarter-finals.
This week has been some-sort of a 'recoup' week in Biarritz. With a mountain of injuries hampering the coaches ability to select a 'full strength' side the trainers saw it fit to allow for an extra few days off so the troops could recover and gear up for sundays match against Glasgow Warriors.
If we win this coming match it will clinch us a home quarter-final berth. And in a competition where in its latter stages 'home advantage' can be a key component in advancing, The town is buzzing with hype.
I have trained with the team all week and will hopefully make a return to the paddock on sunday. My body feels great and I'm itching to get back on the field to help contribute to our team success.
When in Rome?
First and foremost, a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
The festive season is always one to look forward to and one which I'd much prefer spending in QLD with friends and family. However with the presence of my Dad and partner, along with the familiar christmas buzz and decor, my overseas apartment started to feel a bit more like 'home'.
The sad reality of missing Mum's Christmas food was easily forgotten when the Top14 competition ceased for the festive period, allowing us to jump on a plane and take refuge in the city of Rome.
Out of all the places I have experienced (not including the Cook Islands) Italy would have to be my favourite holiday destination thus far. During the week long stay we managed to see all the ancient remains (Colosseum was awesome), we took a tour through Vatican city and witnessed all its amazing scenery and before our departure, flew up to Venice. Now Venezia is one cool place, somewhere I have always wanted to go. It was cold whilst we were there, but i'm sure during summer its an awesome destination to visit.
On the football side of things, the team has been preforming reasonably well. With only a few days to get over the christmas and new year period (not to mention only a few days to run off the excess food!) the boys had to front up for a match on the 3rd. Out of the 3 games we have played this new year we have managed to grab the points in 2 of the clashes. Unfortunately I've had a minor injury that has kept me off the paddock for those games, but I'm due back soon.
Our next 2 games are Heineken Cup matches, a competition that we have preformed quiet well in this season, let's hope we can continue the good work.
Me in Rome
Me in Venice
Santa to the rescue?
With two loses from two outings from the recent week of football, the mood around the changing room is a bit bleak.
Our 'catch up' match against Racing Metro at home was a game we should have won. With our side clearly dominant for the majority of the game it looked like we were in for a win until I made a comical error. After one of the racing players kicked the ball through the line and went after it to score, I whisked over to impede. Not knowing about the rule of having to force the ball once you're in your own in-goal, I battered the ball dead like I would if I were in a Broncos jersey and to my surprise, gave away a penalty try in the process! The remainder of the match was a tight tussle, we ended up getting back within a whisker of winning but in the end lost 20-23.
Having put the close lost behind us and the comical errors on the shelf we travelled to Albi a few days later looking to bounce back with a win,
However Albi had other plans. To Albi's credit they played a smart game of rugby. Keeping the ball tight and using their massive pack to maul and drive their way up the field, we were starved of field position and dominated by an accurate kicking game. We lost by a try.
Our next two matches are against Newport in the Heineken Cup with a home and away leg to be played before the Christmas break. Maybe Santa will lend us a helping hand.
Clermont & Castre
Well I have managed to play two games for Biarritz so far. My debut against Clermont was one to remember with my team getting a win on the road against one of the best sides in the French competition.
My second outing wasn't a good result for the team. Castres who are currently atop of the ladder played a dominant game of rugby and showed great continuity with the ball in hand. Castres kickers were on song taking every opportunity given to put 3 points on the board. The margin was close before half time however having a man sent to the bin put us behind the eight ball and we never really seemed to recover after that point.
After returning from Castre a little battered and bruised we have been forced to recoup quickly before our 'catch-up' match is played against Racing Metro on wednesday.
After that its another away game on the sunday against a tough opponent in Albi. With all our internationals back from duty and in good nick we are out to put a few good performances in and hopefully collect some valuable points along the way.
Outside of rugby, the weather here in Biarritz has started to show her true winter colours! Its been blowing a gale, thunder and hail has been falling. Fingers crossed the weather clears up for Wednesday's game.
A 'friendly' in Belgium
Whilst on holiday in Spain I received a call from my coach at Biarritz notifying me that I had been invited to play for the french Barbarians at a "friendly" in Belgium. A little shocked but never the less accepting of the invitation I quickly had to reschedule my Spanish road trip to accommodate the Barbarians run sheet.
From one country to another then finally at a halt in Brussels, my rugby debut was near however in a guernsey that was slightly unfamiliar.
Enjoying the relaxed take to training and well thought up 'throw it around' game plan I was all of a sudden ready to take to the field for the first time in a few months.
The match was enjoyable and it was good to finally get back into some contact. My personal take on my performance was a little scratchy but better for the run.
This week, Clermont away. My debut for Biarritz!
Ready to go
It's been two weeks since we arrived in beautiful Biarritz, I am yet to don the jersey and the the weather is starting to show its traditional winter colours. I travelled away with the team to Montauban which is a solid 5 hour bus trek along the southern border of France not knowing whether or not I would be able to play. Although I have completed all the necessary tests the final nod only comes after the French association is satisfied with the clubs' financial state. Only then will they approve my registration, and the word from some is that things can often go at a snails pace.
The game against Montauban ended up being a scrappy display of rugby. The bad weather forced both teams to use the foot and both tried to pin each other in their own end. Score 14-5 to Montauban.
Landing in Biarritz
After spending the night in Paris all that was left of the long trek was a shortplane trip to a lovely little town on the French coastline called Biarritz.
Waiting at the airport to scoop Emma and I up were the coach and head trainer who took us to our accommodation.
Allowed two days off before I would commence my first training session with the team, Emma and I took the time to have a look around town and get used to driving on the other side of the road!
The one thing I was suprised about was to play in the French competition, you have to complete a number of tests. So mixed in between the training sessions and meetings over my first week I had to get a blood test, MRI scan on my neck, an ultra sound on my heart and a fitness test on a bike. While I was doing thefitness test I was hooked up to machine which took note of my heart rate and breathing pattern.
The team played away this weekend, we travelled by bus to Toulouse which was 3 and a bit hours away however I was only a spectator.
It was a close game for 60 minutes with both sides holding their own in defensive. While both sides struggled to hold the ball, the games only points looked like coming off the boot.
Toulouse blew the game open late in the second half with some handy drop goals and a try in the dying minutes. Score 23 - 3 (Toulouse).
Me at the Arc de Triomphe, Paris
Hooked up to a machine doing my fitness test
I'll be back next week with more on my French adventures!
Hello from France!
Hey guys
Well I have now touched down in France and will be reporting back to the Gold Coast here in my weekly blog. I'll be keeping you up to date with how things are going over here, so make sure you check it out.
Speak soon!
KH
