What is the transition to professional rugby like according to Juan Cruz Mallía?

Before leaving four years ago to France to represent the colors of Toulouse, Juan Cruz Mallía He had his first experience in professional rugby with Jaguarsfranchise with which he was able to adapt to the level of competition that such competence requires. He spoke about it with Scrum and detailed a series of similarities and differences when emigrating to the Old Continent. All rugby, for Disney+.

“In all the clubs in Europe they highlight the professionalism that Argentine players have, and it has to do with the training that local rugby gives you. From taking care of food, training or going to the gym. When I came to France I already had a preparation, although in terms of the game and the tournaments they are something completely different, because of the foundation that they teach you since you were a child.“he commented.

With respect to the latter, the back cordovan He went deeper: “One of the big changes I noticed was how they took the mistake. I saw that in training they made a lot of mistakes, but for trying, for wanting to improve and for seeking the limit of their capabilities. So the coaches didn’t say anything about that. But in Argentina, we wanted everything to be perfect, and that perhaps led us to not dare to risk so much. I think this helped me improve a lot on a technical level and in my self-confidence.“.

Afterwards, Mallía returned to the present and told what it is like his life after living outside the country for four years: “Today I feel very well, much more settled. Obviously I miss it, but I’m getting used to it better now. I was able to make a group of friends at the club and once a week we got together to eat. It happened to me when I returned to Argentina that I missed home, but I’m already settled in with my girlfriend in France and I’m happy. This allows me to develop moreand I’m even better with the language“.

Finally, after all this journey, the 28-year-old player reviewed the victories he enjoyed the most with The Pumas: “The last game with Australia was spectacular, especially because of the result and how well we played, plus it was in Argentina, with so many people and the weather. Another is against the All Blacks in Christchurch, which I experienced from outside, but I consider it mine too. One more is the quarter-final of the last World Cup, it was a great game. We came from a group stage in which we lost the first game and we had a lot of pressure the rest of the tournament. What’s more, in that meeting, in the middle, I broke my hand, and going through all that, and then finding my family and friends, is a memory that stays with me forever.“.