Twenty-four hours before the 69th Midi Olympique Oscars ceremony, which will be held at the Pavillon Gabriel (Paris), all the winning captains of the World Cup have arrived in the capital. A historic first. Photo session, reunion, Webb-Ellis trophy… immerse yourself in the heart of the kick-off of the ceremony.
They were all there. This Sunday, David Kirk (New Zealand, 1987), Nick Farr-Jones (Australia 1991), François Pieenar (South Africa, 1995), John Eales (Australia 1999), Martin Johnson (England, 2003), John Smit (South Africa, 2007), Richie McCaw (New Zealand, 2011 and 2015) and Siya Kolisi (South Africa, 2019) met at the Barrière-Le Fouquet’s hotel, on Avenue George V in Paris. On the eve of the 69th Midi Olympique Oscars ceremony, which will celebrate the best French players of the last season, these legends of world rugby have all found themselves in the French capital.
An exceptional arrival which is part of the countdown to the 2023 World Cup in France. A historic first since never have all the world champion captains been together at the same time in one place. The eight protagonists arrived in Paris in dribs and drabs this Sunday. On the program in particular, a midday lunch and a symbolic photo shoot in suite 435 (nicknamed Arc-de-Triomphe for its breathtaking view of the monument) of the prestigious establishment. In the center of the white suite, the captains chained the catches in front of the Webb-Ellis trophy, strictly placed on a small tablecloth. The white walls adorned with moldings surrounded eight sacred monsters of the oval ball.
“We talk about everything except rugby! »
Very quickly, John Smit, Richie McCaw and Martin Johnson joined to discuss everything… except rugby! In any case, these are the words of the former captain of the Springboks. “You know, when I received the email I was afraid of being the only one not to come (laughs)! More seriously to see Martin, Richie and all the world champion captains is something exceptional. And then the city of Paris is so beautiful! So far it’s perfect (laughs)! » appreciated the former Clermontois (2007-2008).
This is a historic first! All the captains of the world are at this very moment gathered at the Hôtel Barrière-Le Fouquet’s Paris! A major event on the eve of the 69th Academy Awards @noon_olympic u2b50ufe0f pic.twitter.com/9FUEUeTZJO
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) October 23, 2022
The eight captains took turns around the Webb-Ellis trophy. Siya Kolisi also joked about his refusal to see the next world champion captain be French. “No way! » (no way! In French) exclaimed the third line of the Sharks. All gathered this Sunday, the seven retirees and the defending champion will be present at the Midi Olympique Oscars ceremony on Monday, before returning to their respective countries on Tuesday.
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McCaw, Kolisi, Eales… The world champion captains were in Paris the day before the Midi Olympique Oscars