Paul Bosch 1.80cms 92 kgs born 24/09/84, first season at Montpellier Herault Rugby.

 

SW. Good morning Paul, could you please explain to our supporters your professional rugby career so far ?

 

PB. I started off with the Bulls at under 20 went through their phases then went on to a smaller unit called the Leopards, I was then contacted by the Stormers and I played there for 3 seasons in the Western Provinces, it was a great experience for me but I always had an dream to play overseas and France seemed to be an ideal location, A pro’s rugby career is relatively short and the chances do not always knock on your door so when I was contacted by Fabien Galthie I had to jump at the chance . A new country, a culture very different from what I was used to but for me it was a massive challenge and a risk worth taking I did not have to think to long about my decision. 

A bonus for me was the previous season that Montpellier had just finished, getting to the Final, qualifying for the H Cup and some very tasty away games like Leinster the European Champions the opportunity seemed nearly too good to be true.

 

SW. We have played 2 TOP 14 games and lost both, no panic just yet but things will have to change and change quickly.

 

PB That’s for sure this sort of start to the season nobody envisaged and everybody is a little shell shocked, but the season is long and we can turn this around. Obviously no one was happy with this weekend’s game and things were said, now the whole squad knows the direction we must take, so we are trying to blank out mentally the first two games but not forget them as they will serve as a lesson in humility and hopefully will not be repeated.

Everyone knows the hard yards have to be endured on the training park and then produced in the competitive game that follows, this weekend a very large lesson was learned!!

 

SW. How do you find the atmosphere at the club, and the language, are you having problems.

 

PB. Everyone since my arrival has been great I am getting on really well with the whole squad and the staff and people behind the scenes are always helping me out for all sorts of things, a new challenge and a new country it’s a fantastic experience and I can only thank everyone so far for their input. On the other hand the language I’m certainly not there yet it’s a good job there are plenty who can converse in the old Anglo Saxon if not I would certainly have problems, Drickus is never far away to help just in case I get a bit lost.

I’m certainly happy I play in the backs as some of Eric Bechu’s lineout calls are very complicated not even sure some of our French boys understand all the time!!

 

SW.  The World Cup is on our doorstep, your honest opinions on the 4 semi finalists ?

 

PB. Being a Bok I have to go for the home country, and they will be joined by New Zealand, the Aussies and then the 4th difficult choice between France and England. 

England  know how to win a World Cup, not always the prettiest of affairs but this is one Tournament where you win and move on, sometimes winning ugly is good enough as after the pool stage a loss and you are on your way home.

France have a chance but it will not be easy for them with the Blacks in the same pool they have to be very good and then a possible ¼ final match against England it’s a tough situation for the French but they have the quality, the question is can they put several matches together and go all the way ?

Coming back to South Africa, we have won the World Cup twice which is always a bonus, we have a fairly good team but the Boks know how to win ugly and that card you always need up your sleeve if you are going to progress all the way to the final.

 

SW. Ok lets have the 2 Finalists, no beating about the bush !!

 

PB. So if you are putting me in the corner I will have to go for the Boks to beat the Blacks in the Final, but I suppose you guessed I was going to say that, a new record, 3 World Cup Final victories, am I dreaming you just never know, but one thing is for sure its once every 4 years and brilliant.

 

SW. Thanks Paul great interview, and now you are back from injury maybe a start in Paris against Stade Francais on Friday evening.

 

PB   A start would be great, but a victory would be even better the work will be done this week, and we will be giving it our best shot.

 

Interview by Steve Whittell.