IRELAND’S SIMON ZEBO said he is looking forward to featuring alongside “classy” Australian Kurtley Beale for French club Racing 92 next season.
Beale, 31, who has won 92 Wallabies caps, will join Zebo’s Parisian outfit for the new Top 14 campaign to supplement an already impressive international set of three-quarters which includes Scotland fly-half Finn Russell, France pair Virimi Vakatawa and Teddy Thomas, and Argentina winger Juan Imhoff.
“I’m really excited to be playing alongside him. He’s a classy player who can add a lot of attacking flair to what’s already an attacking backline,” Zebo told AFP in an interview.
“He obviously adds cover and world-class ability. He’s an unbelievable signing and adds to the threat of Racing 92,” the 30-year-old added.
Zebo and influential playmaker Russell have struck a chord on and off the field since the outside-half joined from Glasgow Warriors in 2018.
The former Munster winger plans to welcome versatile Beale to the French capital along with Russell.
Once he gets here we’ll have a chat and myself and Finn will show him around. It’s exciting. We know a few mutual people and friends, I’ve heard nothing but good things about him,” Zebo said.
The Top 14 term was declared over in late-April due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Former champions Toulon and Castres have announced their players are set to take pay cuts to deal with the financial impact of Covid-19.
Zebo said he would be more than happy to reduce his salary to help the side backed by millionaire Jacky Lorenzetti.
“Of course, there’s no panic there. The club’s been very good to us. Every person who is employed by Racing 92 is well looked after,” Zebo said.
“Whatever we need to do to maintain the safety of the club I’m sure everybody will be up to do it,” he added.
- ‘Baby steps’ -
The new campaign is scheduled to begin on September 4 and Racing coach Laurent Travers said earlier this month he would like his players to resume training with medical tests in June.
Reports claim the sessions would restart in stages with players possibly having to wear masks and gloves.
I’ve heard rumours it will be very like baby steps coming back into it and try to peak then for the right time when rugby’s kicking off,” Zebo said.
“It would be strange and weird for everybody, but the last six months have been weird too.
“Whatever we need to do, we will do as we’re very much of the mindset we want to be back playing rugby and whatever we need to do to get back fastest, if that’s wearing masks then we’ll do it. Tick the boxes and get back on the pitch.”
He won’t be excited when he loses his starting spot and is benched.
@Robb Stark: I don’t think he’d mind that, I was very frustrated when he left Munster for the money so I don’t think playing is his priority
@Cortiss: I can’t ever see Munster wanting to bring him back either. They’ve much better players in that position already.
He seems to be carrying a bit of weight and to the naked eye doesn’t look as fit as he could be.
@Robb Stark: suits Racing definitely, just been very inconsistent and lost his spot
@Robb Stark: Beale has mostly played 12 recently as far as i know. While he also cover 10, as well as 15 obviously. Plus with Dulin leaving racing i think zebo will probably still be first choice fullback in the team.
Gallagher signing for munster probably rules out a zebo return in future
@Cortiss: think you’re right. If Zebo was fully fit and with Munster he’d be right in contention for full back for Ireland, but he’s neither of those things. He looks like his carrying a few extra stone.
@Gareth Ward: Haley and Zebo’s contract both expire at the end of next season so it could be decision time then. I think there’s room for both Gallagher and Zebo in the back 3 especially considering Earls will be heading towards 34 at that stage.
@Cortiss: it can be a short career so can hardly begrudge Zebo or any other player taking a contract abroad. Also seems to be enjoying the lifestyle with his family so money wasn’t the only factor I’m sure. More power to him.
@Rochelle: Yeah fair points! It’s a huge season for Haley so. After a poor first season he seemed to be going better this season but still not doing a huge amount beyond solid
@Tom McGirr: Exactly. Exactly. It’s a professional sport and the career is short and can be over at any time as we seen today with Tyler.. Moving to France and playing a game you love sounds super to me. And Johnny Sexton done it too. And few if any made a big deal about it. Fair play to them both
@Decko49: For sure. There’s something great about being a one club man for entire career, but equally can’t fault a player for looking a different setting/league/lifestyle for a while to mix it up!
I think Sexton got a fair bit of stick too, but honestly I think a lot of the Zebo hating is not always provincial but down to Zebo’s character. The maverick type he is I think opens him up to a lot of this (completely wrongly IMO – I like it most of the time). It would be a much more boring sport without players like him who are amazing and infuriating in equal measure!
Sad news that about Tyler, saw glimpses of what could have been the season of Axel but ultimately the injuries got the better of him. Shame but seems he will have a good career in management/coaching by the sounds of things.
@Tom McGirr: I will take your word for it that Sexton got a bit of stick too. I think it improved him as a player and fair play to him. I like Zebo. He seems to be enjoying life and fair play to him. I do agree with other posters that he does seem to be carrying a little excess weight. I’d love to see him back at Munster but can’t see it happen to be honest
Machenaud, Russell, Imhoff, Chavancy, Vakatawa, Thomas, Beale/Zebo playing on the indoor disco arena pitch will be a sight to behold!
I think Simon has shown in his time at Racing that he’s got an immense talented tempered by some issues with professionalism. But fair play to him for making the most of a short career too. Racing must be a brilliant place to play.
As an aside, Leinster’s FB page showed the Pro14 semi final from 2018 last night. Zebo’s last game in red. I was at the game and hadn’t watched it in full since.
He was an absolute shambles. Swanning around constantly looking for the Hollywood pass, getting caught out of position or turned over because of nonchalance and generally acting the billy big balls. It really was incredible!
@Oval Digest: I was sat beside his dad for that game, so Arthur was definitely in enemy territory amongst the Leinster fans & if you ever wanted to see the Picard facepalm meme in the wild, you would have seen it then. Apropos of nothing, his dad is an absolute gent
@Oval Digest: I watched it too, he was in fantastic shape back then but he made an absolute tool of himself in that game. Got hit a few times by Ringrose, and couldn’t make an easy tackle on James Lowe who scored the try. Lowe literally ran straight at him haha. Made two bad passes to Earls & Sweetnam when they were right beside him. But he did a few nice things and it led to nothing. He can be such skillful player when he wants but he can also be quite lazy and selfish. That was a tough match against a quality Leinster team and Munster were relying on him to play well. That was a perfect example of why Schmidt didn’t want him in the Irish team.
(By the way, Finn Russell showing Kurtley Beale around has danger written all over it…
Hopefully a certain D. Ryan clips them around the ear before trouble starts!)
I wouldn’t be too excited, more competition to an incredible back 3, and Zeebs is falling down the pecking order heavily. Half the player he was at Munster, I don’t think Andy Farrell will look to get him into the Irish squad anytime soon
@Cortiss: how many racing games have you watched? Not many by the sounds of it
@PScald: most of them
@PScald: Yea but you don’t need to watch rugby to ‘know all about it’ on here apparently. (Generally speaking not directed at Cortiss)
Can only make him a better player with Beale coming in and competition. Best of luck to him to the lad.