Racing boss' unflattering assessment of Siya
REACTION: South Africa’s two-times World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi ended his first campaign with French club Racing 92 trophyless.
His arrival in Paris’ western inner suburbs was accompanied by a lot of hype and even more hope.
However, Racing’s season ended in ignominy at the weekend and left owner Jacky Lorenzetti a frustrated man.
“We can talk about a waste of a season,” he said, after Racing’s 17-31 loss to Bordeaux-Begles in a preliminary play-off loss in the French Top 14 at the weekend.
Lorenzetti also did not hide his disappointment over his two high-profile imports – Josua Tuisova and Siya Kolisi.
He used phrases such as “soft” and “collapsed” to describe his team’s exit from France’s premier club tournament.
Josua Tuisova, despite some rare sparks, struggled to produce what was expected of him.
“He didn’t bring anything, we must be clear,” Lorenzetti said.
“He was not the impact player that we expected.”
Kolisi was not spared, despite his immense profile.
The Racing boos criticized the Bok captain for “gaining weight” and having “lost his shape”.
“He had a remarkable start to the season, where he was a unifier off the field,” Lorenzetti said.
“The break was harmful to him,” the Racing boss said of Kolisi’s mid-season hand injury that required surgery.
“He gained weight, lost shape and [on Sunday] he was invisible,” Lorenzetti added.
“In the back row, we used to have an ever-present warrior, Wenceslas Lauret.
“At the moment, Siya is not [Lauret].
“However, we think that next season, that will change.”
Kolisi last week admitted he was ‘out of shape’.
“The food is amazing here, that’s why I gained too much weight when I got here,” Kolisi said.
“I gained five kilograms and then I remember getting to the gym and one of the physios said: ‘You look like ****’.
“It’s why I had to cut down on the food,” the Bok skipper added.
* Sources: AFP & rugbyrama.fr
