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Home / Sport / Rugby / All Blacks

Tony Marsh has no split loyalties to French and NZ

20 Nov, 2004 10:30 PM4 mins to read

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By MICHAEL BROWN

It might seem a bizarre concept, but a couple of minutes after starting to chat with Tony Marsh, he stops and apologises for his faltering English. It's normally something you hear from people who grew up in non-English speaking countries, but it just shows how much the
former Counties centre has been Franco-fied over the past six years.

The 33-year-old French international has been living and playing rugby in France since October 1988 and it's why he will have no split loyalties when he's likely to line up against the All Blacks next Sunday morning. New Zealand is where he grew up, France is his home. It's not to say Marsh didn't find playing for France against the All Blacks at last year's World Cup, the first time in his test career that he had lined up against his native country, something of a weird experience. He's expecting much of the same next weekend.

"It's something that's special for me to play against New Zealand," he said from the French camp in Marseilles. "Although we lost the game against the All Blacks at the World Cup, I remember being on such a high - cloud nine - for a week after that game."

The past year, though, has been a more difficult time in his celebtrated battle to overcome cancer - a struggle about which he does not like to talk but which affected his season and has made him think seriously about his rugby future. He admits it was a frustrating time as injuries and his club's poor results took their toll physically and emotionally.

"I haven't really enjoyed my rugby as much as I would have liked to, so things are a bit up in the air," he said. "I will make a decision about my future early next year. In the short term, I see my future in Europe, not necessarily playing in France. I wouldn't mind finishing my rugby career in Italy so I can have another look at another lifestyle and another culture because it's not solely about rugby."

Asked whether he sees himself playing in the 2007 World Cup on 'home' soil, Marsh is reluctant to commit. "I will be 35 by then," he said wryly, "so I don't know."

Despite his difficult year, Marsh looked back to his rock solid best in the 27-14 defeat of Australia last weekend - a defeat that sent out a warning to the All Blacks and suggested to many that France are the best team in the world at the moment.

Marsh knows it will be a difficult assignment for Graham Henry's side and he pinpoints their growth and development under coach Bernard Laporte as a key factor in this.

"Most of the guys have been around for a while now so they know the systems well and there is a lot more competition for places," he explained. "There's been a real confidence in the team that wasn't even there two weeks ago and, while we had a good team spirit at the World Cup, it's even better now."

While Marsh will have a valuable insight into the All Blacks' mentality and the culture associated with the black jersey, he's less familiar with the current squad of players. He admits he doesn't watch any rugby from New Zealand and rarely casts an eye on what's happening in the Tri-Nations.

"In France we don't tend to focus on the opposition," he said. "There are a few new faces and there is talk about devaluing the black jersey, but I don't even know these guys so it's hard to know what to expect next weekend.

"The team they have on tour will not be too far off their top side, so they'll still be strong."

By the end of our conversation, Marsh's English is flowing again. The All Blacks will be hoping the French backline doesn't hit its strides quite as quickly.

- THE HERALD ON SUNDAY

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