Arriving this summer from Bobigny (Fédérale 1), Viktor Maquaire quickly established himself in the fly-half position for Stade Niçois. Injured in the first part of the season, the native of the North hasn’t missed a match since the resumption in early January. An interview for Nice Premium with a very ambitious number 10.
Nice Premium: Viktor, can you tell us about your journey before signing with Nice last summer…
Viktor Maquaire: I am originally from the North, more precisely from Arras. From the Juniors, I went to Montpellier where I spent three years. I then received an interesting offer from Perpignan to train and play with the professional squad. At USAP, the first year went well, we lost in the Top 14 final but after two years, I decided to move down to Bobigny in Fédérale 1.
N.P.: What attracted you to the Nice project?
V.M.: I did not aim to drop down to Fédérale 2, but the project was really interesting. I signed with one of my best friends, Julien Fritz. We decided to relaunch, to have fun, which we had missed in our respective clubs. It’s the project and friendship that unite us today.
N.P.: How do you assess your season?
V.M.: At the beginning of the season, the management chose to field players they knew, which was logical. I didn’t have the chance to be a starter at the beginning, we had to prove ourselves. The match at Bedarrides (September 21) left its mark with a knee injury (sprain) for me, but also for Sonetti and Fritz. I was absent for more than 6 weeks. At the end of the first round, I played the last four matches. My season really started at the end of November. When you miss the first matches, it’s hard to get into the rhythm.
N.P.: Two great victories against Bedarrides and Beaurepaire, a setback at Grasse. The home stretch is underway…
V.M.: We fear no one in our pool. The only problem is us. We are capable of delivering superb performances when everyone buys into the project. The days we narrowly miss out, it’s because we haven’t respected the instructions or individually we’re not there. When everyone gives their all, we are capable of achieving great things for a Fédérale 2 level having played above.
N.P.: Six teams for four spots, it’s an exciting end to the season…
V.M.: The weekends are getting tougher because it’s the end, we have to get the maximum points. The trips to Aubagne and Monteux are important, we can’t afford to slip. We have had the luck or misfortune to earn defensive bonuses against the big teams. Every point will count. If we can take offensive bonuses in the upcoming matches, we shouldn’t miss that opportunity.
N.P.: How do you handle the competition with Thibaud Nègre?
V.M.: I immediately got along well with him. It’s a healthy competition. We have a strong point, we both aim for the same things. If one misses out, the other can take over. We give each other lots of advice, we help each other for the good of the team. There is a really great group, the players know how to set the mood and the older ones integrate the newcomers.
N.P.: As the finals approach, does Stade Niçois still have more to show?
V.M.: I believe we haven’t shown everything we’re capable of doing despite the wide margins. Today, we’ve made matches easy for ourselves but we need to be able to focus on an entire game. With the pressure of big matches, we will have to control our nerves, and not be too penalized.
N.P.: What areas do you think need improvement?
V.M.: We’re too kind in some matches. We’re a team that isn’t afraid but we lack cunning. We need to be tougher, more rugged in some contacts. Each one has to want to win their duel. I’d be curious to see how many times the half-backs haven’t moved, same for the second rows, the centers. We’ll need to give our best, all go in the same direction to look upwards.
Photo credit and more information at www.stadenicois.fr
