Toulouse Olympique captain Con Mika is hoping that isolation will bring his team-mates closer together as absence makes the heart grow fonder.
The 30-year-old former Newcastle Knights and Hull KR second-rower is keeping a close eye on his team-mates as the severe lockdown restrictions continue to bite in the south of France.
“We are all doing our best to keep in touch and maintain that team spirit,” the Samoan international told League Express.
“We do our best to keep in regular contact, we have an online group where we share a laugh now and then, which is so important in a team environment. But apart from the fun and games, there is a general feeling among the players that they are desperate to get back to training and playing together.”
Mika says there is a new-found confidence among his team-mates as Toulouse’s unbeaten start to the season has made them some people’s favourites for promotion to Super League, if and when the Championship season gets going again.
“Our goal is to get into Super League and the players who have joined us this season have strengthened our side. They’ve settled straight into our group, which can be a challenge, because we do things differently here at Toulouse.
“Our approach to training and the methods we use are unique, there’s a freshness and creativity that I think is reflected in the way we play the game.
“The new boys have already shown us what they can do and the existing squad members are anxious to put a few things right that we didn’t do last year.”
“Sylvain (Houles) is a pretty smart coach and he’s brought a new attitude to the game and the players have bought into it.”
The switch to a new city centre stadium this season has lifted the squad, according to Mika, who added: “The new stadium is unreal, there’s a real sense of home there already and we look forward to playing more games at Ernest Wallon and getting many more people through the gates.
“There’s genuine potential here. I play my role in the team the best I can and hopefully I can be a part of something special at this club.”
Toulouse pushed Toronto Wolfpack close last year for the springboard into the top-flight and Mika believes the battle for promotion will be even tougher this time around.
“We know we have to be better this year,” he said.
“Finishing second isn’t good enough.
“Aiming for Super League is a definite. We’ve never shied away from our objective and Covid-19 hasn’t changed that.”
