The third halves, between tradition and perdition? In rugby, the third halves, to decompress or celebrate a victory after the matches, are legion. Most of the time, it goes well and we can celebrate between guys after having chained scrums and low blows during the match. But sometimes it slips, degenerates or even turns to tragedy. The investigation continues to try to shed light on the drama around the death of Kelly Meafua. The player of US Montauban, a Pro D2 rugby club, died on Saturday after throwing himself from a bridge into the Tarn river, in Montauban, in Tarn-et-Garonne after the last victorious match of the ‘USM in Sapiac. What is certain is that it took place at the end of the third half for the Samoan warrior, after having celebrated the victory of his team all night long with friends and teammates.
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Learn from this tragedy
After the tribute paid to Kelly Meafua on Monday, at the Stade de Sapiac in Montauban, the president of the USM, Jean-Claude Maillard, put the subject of the danger of third halves in rugby on the table : “There are two phases: the first, the immense sadness that we experience; and the second, trying to understand what happened and learn from it. And we must not forget to do so Because what happened in Montauban has already happened around the world and will happen again” he explained to Midi Olympique.
The president’s warning about the dangers of third halves raises the question of coaching. Should we frame or limit these post-match celebrations in rugby? And how ? In any case, between rugby fans, practitioners and union, there is debate.
“Things have to change.”
In Montauban, the drama is still in everyone’s head, Jeannine and José, rugby and USM fans get up from the table when they are told about what happened this weekend in the city, they instinctively give their opinions on third halves in rugby: “we must supervise them”, launches the one who does not miss a USM match on TV. “Shouldn’t delete them, but…. limit them all the same”. She is immediately cut off by her spouse José, “that’s part of the game too the third half hey!”. They disagree and argue. “Joy is part of our sport”, Jose replies. Impossible to contradict him, that is not the issue. On the other hand, for Noélic, a rugby fan, and from Montalban, we can let this joy burst otherwise: “We have to change things. Rugby players in general do what they want after games. They should stay in the spirit of the club and celebrate their victory within the club and do that in a small committee, so as not to happen to such dramatic things. explains the one who played eight years at Racing Club de Montauban.
“It is not our vocation to use dramas like this to hope for an electroshock.” – Malik Hamadache, vice-president of the Provale rugby players’ union and MHR player
The Provale union at the bedside of rugby players
It is precisely in small groups, between friends and especially in private that many third halves take place. So it’s complicated to frame or limit them, especially since some players rub shoulders with addiction or depression. This is why the Provale players’ union supports rugby players and raises awareness about addiction. “We try to have this emotional and psychological sensitivity with the well-being cell” explains Malik Hamadache, vice-president of Provale.
The union provides players two psychoanalysts, “the first two sessions are paid by the Proval union, to encourage the player to talk about his problems, whatever they are. This can lead to solutions and less drama” specifies the Montpellier Hérault rugby player. “The objective is to support and secure the player in his post-career and the well-being unit is used to dialogue during weak moments during or after his career. Players need an ear or a shoulder to lean on to be able to help them as much as possible”.
The death of Kelly Meafua is not directly linked to the third halves according to Malik Hamadache who refuses to comment. “It is not our vocation to use dramas like this to hope for an electroshock. We have already carried out awareness campaigns on addictions in particular”. The vice-president of the Provale union also specifies that a documentary to raise awareness about the rugby player depression will be out soon, “because a lot of things can be linked to dramas”. No electroshock therefore, but any private act under everyone’s responsibility, how to ensure the health of players outside the field and the strict framework of the club, when it is not the responsibility of the clubs?
Rugby League embarrassed “we can’t be with every player until 6am”
Alain Doucet, president of the Rugby League in Occitanie understands the concern and the guilt of certain club leaders like Jean-Claude Maillard, the president of the USM. “Rugby is not responsible for what our boys do until dawn“. The Occitanie League includes 20,000 seniors and 5,000 juniors.”We have already done a lot of awareness campaigns, especially with road safety. Some club managers have already been sentenced for letting one of their players drive while under the influence of alcohol“, recalls the Bigourdan.
“Within the stadium, the club is responsible for its players. But outside, the player becomes a normal citizen for whom the club, the League, rugby are not responsible.”
