JUNE/JULY 2015 // NZ RUGBY WORLD //
77
[ top 14 ]
BEING HIMSELF
Stephen Brett feels
much more at home
with Lyon.
Brett was part of an ambitious recruitment strategy, supposed to
lead Bayonne to the Top 6, and qualify to play in the European Cup.
From the start, however, things weren’t painless.
Bayonne, on the Basque coast, is one of those clubs with a long
and rich history of successes and disappointments, of fiery
supporters and internal squabbles.
When he arrived, the environment wasn’t the most peaceful he
could dream of. Brett wasn’t able to establish himself as the
unquestionable leader of Bayonne’s attacking line. He started only
13 games, and gradually lost his place in the starting group. He
wasn’t even on the game sheet for the last four decisive games.
Matches that would decide Bayonne’s future in Top 14.
For a talented player such as Brett, who led his Blues side to the
semifinals in Super Rugby back in 2011, it was quite a
disappointment to say the least. Several factors can explain this
unsuccessful first season.
For many players from the Southern Hemisphere, adapting to
Top 14 can take some time. The physicality of the game, the style,
and, obviously, the language make it difficult to adapt. It’s a whole
different thing from Super Rugby.
Possibly, his position made it even harder for Brett. “Top 14 is a
totally different game. It was a frustrating first year, especially
being a No 10, because you have to control a lot of things, you’ve got
so much on your shoulders. The language barrier certainly makes
it worse: I was trying to talk to the French boys but I couldn’t
understand them. “With two teams relegated at the end of the
season there is a lot of pressure. I wish I played fullback, I would
have had just to stay in the back and play. But I have played in a lot
of teams in professional rugby and I just have to respect the game
NATURAL GAME
At Lyon Brett has been
encouraged to play the
type of rugby he loves.
