WHATEVER happened to the Ivory Coast, or Cote D'Ivoire as they prefer to be called these days? Back in 1995 they were the sole minnows to qualify for the Rugby World Cup but after their inevitable elimination at the Pool stage were disgracefully left to wither on the vine.
They had served their purpose, giving the tournament the impression that any nation could qualify and compete, and virtually no effort was made post 1995 to grow the game in the former French Colony.
The horrific spinal injury to wing Max Brito in their final game against Tonga struck hard at the morale of a small rugby nation who then had to wait another 39 months before the international rugby community offered them another game, a 1999 World Cup qualifier against Namibia. Did nobody have a plan, did anybody actually want them to improve? By 1998 the moment was gone, the door had been slammed shut again.
The West Africans have been on the back foot ever since, a situation compounded by civil war and economic problems. Back in France, the mother country as far as Ivorian rugby is concerned, there have always been a few decent Ivorian-born or qualified players washing around the leagues but with hard-earned contracts in their pocket, their loyalties have generally been with their clubs.
Quickly Cote D'Ivoire became also-rans even in the Africa qualifying competition. Players such as Pepito Elhorga, who won 15 France caps, and utility backs Jean- Maurice Oulouma and Silvère Tian – who played a big role in the Oyonnax success story a few years back – opted not to play for them while Thierry Dusautoir, born in Abidjan with an Ivorian mother, also made his way with Les Bleus.
It's all been a bit depressing – but hang on. Last Saturday, the Elephants produced their best performance since RWC qualifying wins in 1994 to defeat perennial African champions and therefore World Cup qualifiers Namibia. And today they can improve on that further when they entertain Madagascar.
The Namibians were blown away in the first half, trailing 24-8 at the break and only managed to pull that back to 24-13 by full-time.
Cote D'Ivoire scored early tries through skipper and No.8 Bakary Meite and flanker Paul Diallo Dit Peres to take a 14-0 lead. Namibia finally got a foothold in the game when fly-half Helarius Kisting's penalty was followed by a try for hooker Obert Nortje but the Ivorian pack earned their side a third try, a penalty try, and Ezer Kosee added a penalty.
After a scoreless third quarter, Namibia's vice-captain Lesley Klim broke the deadlock when he scored their second try with ten minutes to go but Cote D'Ivoire held on with a deal of ease, their pack still controlling proceedings.
Much of the credit must go to Cote D'Ivoire's inspiring captain Meite, who owns up to being at least 37 and has delayed his retirement after sensing a possible resurgence in the Elephants' fortunes and an outside chance of qualifying for France 2023 where he has played all his senior rugby.
Meite is the kind of player we must hope will one day write a book. Since his senior debut back in 2005 he has played over 300 games in ProD2 for eight different clubs, enjoying two spells at both Beziers and Massy, his most recent gainful employment being at Carcassone. He was also called in by Stade Francais to help out three years ago. The tales he could tell.
A powerful, athletic No.8, he made his Cote D'Ivoire debut in 2006 and has been one of the few constants, an admirable character who during the recent pandemic became something of a role model in taking the initiative and serving his community at the start of the crisis last March when France, and the rest of the world, was gripped by fear.
When the pandemic struck Meite found himself in Paris and within days of lockdown being declared had made himself known at the Sainte- Perine hotel in the 16th Arrondissement to see if there was anything he could do to help.
“It was my nephew (Zakaria) who decided to do it first and I followed him,” he explains. “I had to disinfect ramps, door handles, elevator buttons, switches, window cuffs… I cleaned and disinfected everything that could be physically cleaned and disinfected. Our aim was to spare the proper caregivers having to do such jobs. We needed their expertise in the fight to save lives.”
Menial, dirty, gritty, unheralded stuff but so important at a time when there was no real understanding of the very potent dangers involved. This is long before vaccines and the proper use of PPE.
Meite played a blinder and a final uplifting swansong in his national colours would be a nice reward.
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