To say that the CO’s start to the season is not the best is anything but misleading, you will agree. With 11 small points taken in 7 days and despite conditions that we know not really favorable to the Tarn workforce lately, the Castres have experienced a more serene start to the championship in the past. Nevertheless, the latter can be reassured of their contents of this month of November, which despite very dull results (2 defeats and 1 draw in the last three matches) gave some certainties to the men of President Revol. After all, winning in the snatch or losing by a hair against displacement of the caliber of Racing or Bordeaux has never been very shameful, when winning two points on the lawn of a Stade Toulousain deprived of its internationals but aligning half of his XV champion of France 2019 is worth its weight in gold.
And this regain of form after the spankings of La Rochelle and Toulon finds an echo in the arrival of the club’s latest recruit. Not the best known, nor the most impressive at first glance, Tom Staniforth was announced as arriving on the banks of the Tarn in mid-October in complete anonymity, local eyes being rather fixed on the departure of the darling child Anthony Jelonch, whose departure – probably towards Toulouse – was recorded on same day. Arrived at Pierre-Fabre on Monday, November 3, the former captain of the Australian U20s was established five days later only against Toulouse, at the request of his teammates to the staff! Supersonic adaptation.
Roaring premiere
And what a first! There, we could hear the impacts echoing in the rainy Ernest-Wallon sky each time the second line also intervened. Here we also already live his remarkable qualities as a fighter and ball carrier when, often used as the first anchor point by Reggiardo’s men to attack the opposing defensive curtain, it made the martyr to the Stadist defense suffer throughout the afternoon. Not for nothing that with 18 races and 71 meters covered the swelling in the hands, “Stani” was even elected man of the match on the visitors side. “Arrived on a Monday, he played 80 minutes on Saturday and 70 the following week (against Bordeaux, Editor’s note). We can say that he has integrated very well. He already knows perfectly our game plan or our announcements in touchdowns. He also has a player profile that corresponds well to the identity of our club. It is an added value to our squad “, also recently launched a dithyrambic Mauricio Reggiardo about his new protégé in the columns of Rugbyrama.
A boy of just 26 years old, graduated from some 60 Super Rugby matches with the Brumbies then the Waratahs but who is nevertheless passed through the mesh of Australian rugby detection nets. Behind the double-meters of Arnold, Rodda then Salakaia-Loto or other Phillips, it remains difficult to express himself and “Tommy” therefore took the step to leave his native island-continent for France as soon as the opportunity arises. presented through a clause in his contract. For the beginnings that we know.
A very beneficial situation for the CO who, eager to put a very used Hans Nkinsi in competition and to bring down to number 8 the ball sorter that is Tyler Ardron, seems to have found the beam of his pack. Massive (1m98 for 119kg), Staniforth also brings this additional density and aggressiveness that the Blues and Whites seemed to lack for two seasons. While waiting to know when the next match of Castres will be played, there is already no doubt that the former Waratahs should start with the number 5 in the back. And could well become, at this rate, one of the sure values of our championship, yet forgotten in their native Australia. In the tradition of James, Holmes, Gill or McIntyre?
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