Matthieu Jalibert (26 years old, 33 caps) returned to Bordeaux on Wednesday. During the announcement of the composition of the French XV chosen to face New Zealand on Saturday evening at the Stade de France (9:10 p.m.), his name resounded several times in the amphitheater dedicated to press conferences in Marcoussis .
Fabien Galthié must have known that he would not cut it. By deciding to include the UBB fly-half, the most successful player in this position at the club since the start of the season, on the match sheet, the coach made a strong choice. This is partly justified by the 6-2 on the bench. But it is even more striking than when he decided to place him on the bench against Japan.
An explanation
He could only be questioned on the subject. So the questions ended up falling. Did he take the time to explain his choice to her? “Of course, we take the time to discuss with all the players,” he replied, before launching into an elliptical response. “There are a lot of players who are leaving or staying with us as additional players. And players that we haven't brought up, who are ready. Emulation is very important in this team. What matters to us is timing. The individual strength that will serve the collective. »
According to our information, Fabien Galthié and Matthieu Jalibert did indeed have an explanation at the start of the week. The coach assumed his choices in front of the opener, while taking care to remind him that “the wheel turns” in selection and that he had to be able to put his ego aside for the good of the group, as was possible. to do it Charles Ollivon since the start of this tour. These explanations, however, did not resonate with the ears of the Bordeaux resident.
Matthieu Jalibert knew that he would not have an easy time this November. Even in the absence of Romain Ntamack, number 1 in the hierarchy in the eyes of the coach. Twice, the latter had indicated to him that he was not his first choice for the position of opener: first this summer, then a few days before the Blues gathering.
Despite this snapshot of the hierarchy at that moment, he was morally tested by subsequent events: number 10 never had the opportunity to defend his chances in an ecosystem that was not favorable to him.
“We need determination”
As a result, he himself would have asked Fabien Galthié not to be kept among the five additional players, kept in reserve in the event of a hard blow, to regenerate mentally at home. The episode is not neutral. The last player to ask to be released, at the time to play a Top 14 match with Racing, is Cameron Woki. Internally, the approach was received differently…
Although the coach granted this request, he made a comment this Thursday suggesting that it sent a negative message: “It's his choice. Everyone is free to experience their emotions, to share them. We need determination, strong players. Until now, even if his journey has not been linear, he has brought his talent to the French team. He always tried to give the best of himself. And he will continue, if he wishes. Everyone is free to make decisions. We need to identify determined players who have the ability to get through the good times and the difficult ones. »
The fact that the coach said these words is not insignificant. Matthieu Jalibert would have expressed his reluctance to be recalled just to make up the numbers in training at the start of the week. Although he added that he would be available in the event of force majeure, this inevitably casts a veil of uncertainty over his international future. Nothing allows us to say with certainty today that he will be summoned again on Sunday evening to Marcoussis.
Through his management, Fabien Galthié is obviously partly responsible for this situation. By keeping Matthieu Jalibert in an impasse, he led him to make a choice that he will perhaps regret. And incidentally he won on one point: he will not have to explain the absence of the Bordeaux opener.
