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Siya Kolisi reveals former All Black legend convinced him of France move

Racing Metro 92 newly recruited player South-Africa' Siya Kolisi poses with his jersey after his official presentation at the headquarters of the French top14 rugby union club, in Le Plessis-Robinson, outside Paris, on November 9, 2023. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP via Getty Images)

Double-World Cup winner Siya Kolisi has revealed how former All Black legend Dan Carter played a part in influencing his decision to leave South Africa and join Racing 92 in France.

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After captaining the Springboks to a second straight Rugby World Cup title, the loose forward joined his new club last week and was seen in attendance at his side’s clash with Stade Francais.

Kolisi explained that his move to France was “the missing piece” in his career after playing the entirety of his rugby in South Africa, firstly with the Stormers and then with the Durban-based Sharks.

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He held talks with former Racing players Yannick Nyanga, who finished his career there with four seasons, and ex-All Black legend Dan Carter who helped the club to a Top 14 title in 2016.

The Top 14’s reputation as one of the most competitive rugby tournaments was also a major draw for the 32-year-old.

“I can’t wait to play. The Top 14 is the missing piece for me. I came for the reputation, it is one of the most difficult championships in the world. I have to prove myself on the pitch,” he told RugbyRama.

“I spoke to Cameron [Woki] and Yannick [Nyanga] before signing. Dan Carter also had an influence on my coming.”

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Racing 92’s majority owner and club chairmen Jacky Lorenzetti also played a part in recruiting Kolisi the player, not the brand, as the club looks to capture more success.

The Springbok captain said the club is looking to emulate the likes of Toulon and Toulouse who have won league titles and European titles.

“Jacky Lorenzetti told me he wanted to recruit the rugby player, not the superstar. I really appreciated this,” he said.

“Racing 92 is a club that has not achieved as much as Toulon or Toulouse so we have something to build and I want to be part of this history.

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“I’ve played in South Africa all my life and to move to a new club, so different, it’s special. But my teammates and Jacky [Lorenzetti], made things easier for me.

“My family moved before me so everything is going very well.”

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Comments

2 Comments
A
Ace 414 days ago

Go Siya, set the world alight.

It sucked when you moved to the Sharks, but we can thank Zero Marais for that. I’m sure we’ll see you back in CT within three or four years.

M
Mzilikazi 415 days ago

Kolesi should go well in the Top 14. And clearly Racing have ambition, and are assembling a formidable squad. Got a good new coach in Stuart Lancaster.

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MA 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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