Hugh Chalmers is a busy man with a calm mind. For a good twenty minutes, the former UBB back-row stalwart retraced his long career in the Gironde. He arrived in 2008 and the New Zealander spent 10 years there. He experienced promotions but also some great moments.
In the course of this interview, Chalmers talks about his admiration for Laurent Marti, the Bordeaux president, the unique atmosphere in the Chaban-Delmas arena, and gives his prediction ahead of the Champions Cup final between UBB and Leinster.
IT’S RUGBY. – After a long spell in Bordeaux, you finished your career at Vannes. And after that, what did you do?
Hugh Chalmers: I ended up coaching the forwards and then the Espoirs at Biarritz. After that I went to Beaune, in Burgundy, as manager and coach. At the time it was in Fédérale 1, before a spell in Nationale 2.
Are you still at Beaune today?
No. I set up my own rugby analysis business. I work remotely for clubs. I do the analysis, the video feedback for coaches who need it. It’s an option for coaches or managers who can’t necessarily afford a full-time analyst. I work in the shadows to help them save time, particularly in areas like defence or the lineout.
You still live in Burgundy, though…
Yes, still. And I’m also a plumber! (laughs). I’ve set up my own business, so I’ve got a lot of work at the moment.
Do people in your area recognise you?
It’s rare. Burgundy isn’t really rugby country. It was at one time, when the mines were open. It was very rugged rugby then, a forwards’ game. Over time, it didn’t really move on with professionalism. There’s Nevers, but that club leans more towards the Auvergne. There was Chalon, who in the 2000s were on the doorstep of Pro D2. There’s no real flagship club in Burgundy. I get recognised from time to time, but it’s very rare (smiles).
What does Bordeaux represent for you?
Bordeaux is a huge part of my life. I’m 40 and I spent a quarter of my life there. I played for that club. It’s the club of my heart. Bordeaux let me live my dream. That’s thanks to Laurent Marti, to his vision, to what he wanted to build. Having been part of that is something enormous. It’s where I met my wife, where my two daughters were born. If people ask me where I’m from in France, I say Bordeaux, no question.
Laurent Marti is a visionary
Are you surprised to see UBB’s level today? And the European title last year in particular?
Not at all. Laurent Marti is a visionary. I bumped into him not long ago. Very early on, he saw Bordeaux’s potential and took every step needed to get the club where it is today. There were a few difficult years but since Yannick Bru took the reins, you can see the team rediscovering that DNA. They play from everywhere, they produce breathtaking things. It’s simply logical. The club’s rise has been meteoric.
Do you have a favourite player at UBB in particular?
I’ll say Jefferson Poirot. And Cyril Cazeaux too. They’re lads I know, from my era. It feels strange calling them “the old boys” (laughs). They were little chicks when I was there. They turned up with chubby cheeks (laughs). When I see them now, I’m so proud of them. I don’t really have a favourite player. I think that’s exactly UBB’s strength: a fine collective.
You also played alongside Matthieu Jalibert…
My last season at Bordeaux was his first. He had great confidence in himself and in his ability. He was already excellent. I also knew Cameron Woki and Maxime Lamothe. Pablo Uberti was still with the Espoirs. I can’t remember exactly everyone I played with because I took too many knocks to the head! (laughs) But yes, I was lucky enough to play with those guys.
At Chaban especially, there's something mythical that the Matmut doesn't have yet. Chaban is magic. It's something else
What about the atmosphere at Chaban?
I always tell the same story. I remember that at our first camp in Saint-Lary, president Marti showed us a video of Bègles-Bordeaux winning the championship in 1991. The team came back by train and the whole city of Bordeaux was blocked by the crowd. He told us the public was there and that we had to go and get them. He was right: they were going to back us all the way. I arrived at the time when the football team were French champions. At first, you kept hearing that Bordeaux was a football city. It’s not the same now. I always say that French crowds in stadiums are something else. If you look at the Super Rugby crowds, without being unkind, it’s pathetic by comparison. The atmosphere adds as much to the spectacle as the rugby itself. And at Chaban especially, there’s something mythical that the Matmut doesn’t have yet. Chaban is magic. It’s something else.
What’s your best memory in Bordeaux?
Hard to pick one moment… Oddly, what I’m proudest of is the season we managed to stay up in the Top 14 after coming up from Pro D2. Even if our promotion was really something. We’d finished in the play-off places in Pro D2. We go to Grenoble, who had finished second, and we beat them. Then we face Albi in Agen and we beat them too. It was completely unexpected, a bit like Montauban last year. Seeing that group of almost “unknown” lads defy all the predictions… It was impressive.
Do you have a funny story to tell us from your time in Bordeaux?
There’s one that comes back to me. We had a Romanian prop called Silviu Florea. He lost his temper during a session, he was insulting everyone (laughs). He was throwing out words in Romanian with “fucking” every three words. Before going into the changing room, he gives a cool box an almighty kick. Except that his foot ended up stuck inside it (laughs). He tried to head off to the changing room with the cool box attached to his foot. He walked off the pitch like that. And he’d been so furious two seconds earlier… When your prop loses it, you keep quiet, but we were laughing. It was a magic moment. And then there was Grégory Bernard. A bald lock. Well, you weren’t supposed to say he was bald (laughs). Our wing Blair Connor had played the prank of yanking his shorts down from behind at the start of a session. The session started and I think after six minutes Greg was still chasing Blair around the ground. He wouldn’t let it go. After ten minutes, Blair stopped and got smashed.
Which person made the biggest impression on you in Bordeaux?
Several people made an impression on me in very different ways, as a player but also as a man. But Laurent Marti changed my life, that’s for sure. The chance he gave me by signing me, what he built… That man does an enormous amount for an enormous number of players. Nobody can deny that. He’s a professional. Sometimes there are choices to make, sometimes reluctantly, but he has always stood his ground. I don’t think there’s a player who could speak badly of him.
When you see Heini Adams, your former team-mate, in the current UBB staff, don’t you fancy being part of it too?
(laughs) I don’t think I’m good enough for that. In Burgundy, I’m happy with my family. My wife has set up her own catering business. My children are settled here. We moved around a lot when they were young: Bordeaux, Vannes, Biarritz, and then here. Now their situation is stable and that’s fine. But then again, maybe one day? And who knows, when my children leave home in a few years… In any case, I’m pleased to see Heini out on the pitches. It’s nice to see him still running, even if it’s not as fast as it used to be (laughs). He was one of my favourite people. Honestly, I see myself working with young players more than with professionals. I love the desire they have, that hunger. Young players really need coaching and development more than management, and that’s what attracts me.
What’s your prediction for the Champions Cup final against Leinster?
My heart says Bordeaux. And not just for sentimental reasons. But I think Bordeaux still have a bit of that outsider status, which is paradoxical for the defending European champions. That’s where Bordeaux can spring surprises. With Lucu, Jalibert and the backs, they’re very strong. But Leinster are also half of the Ireland team. It could make for a very tense match. I think it’s going to be a hell of a game, a big challenge.
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