should Jalibert and Tameifuna play?

After a defeat of this magnitude, the question quickly arose on Friday evening at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Was it really necessary to play Matthieu Jalibert and Ben Tameifuna in this final against Toulouse (59-3)? “These were choices made by the entire staff, we don’t regret them,” replied Yannick Bru, manager of Union Bordeaux-Bègles, in a press conference after the match.

After a defeat of this magnitude, the question quickly arose on Friday evening at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. Was it really necessary to play Matthieu Jalibert and Ben Tameifuna in this final against Toulouse (59-3)? “These were choices made by the entire staff, we don’t regret them,” replied Yannick Bru, manager of Union Bordeaux-Bègles, in a post-match press conference. And he even added: “I take full responsibility.”

“When you are not favorites, you have to try poker shots, you have to have your best players on the pitch”

“You can’t beat Toulouse by trying to limit the damage,” explained the Girondin coach. “When you’re not the favourite, you have to take a gamble, you have to have your best players on the pitch. To beat Toulouse, you have to be bold, take a gamble…”

“It was complicated”

Victim of a torn hamstring during the last match of the regular season against Oyonnax, Matthieu Jalibert thought his season was over. But the French international resumed racing and collective training during the week before the final. And he ended up starting at opener after final tests during the “Captain Run” the day before the match. “It was complicated,” testifies the person concerned. For me, the season was almost over. Matéo (Garcia) felt discomfort which could prevent him from participating in the final. I felt better and better. We made the decision to take the risk. It was a pact with the staff. I had to concentrate on organizing and distributing but it’s always more difficult when you’re not physically well. »

In the 55 minutes spent on the field, Matthieu Jalibert was far from his level and was unable to influence the debates. “It’s always frustrating not to be able to play your real game and not to be able to flourish,” he confided. When I’m on the field, it’s to have fun. And when you don’t feel good physically, you don’t feel good mentally. Afterwards, I knew that physically, it was going to be complicated. After 15 minutes, I was already feeling pain. To play my game, to put on speed, it was complicated. I didn’t have good sensations.”

But neither the player nor the staff regret this hasty return to the field. “Matthieu wanted to play this match,” assures Yannick Bru. He clearly alerted us to the fact that he would not be able to sprint at 100%. It reached 27 km/h on Thursday. I told Matthieu and I fully accept it: what you are doing is a gesture of leadership towards the collective. We needed Matthieu. He made a gesture towards the team, he was ready to put himself in difficulty personally so that the collective performs better. » But this did not have the expected result.

“Nothing worked”

Victim of a dislocated shoulder in the play-off against Racing 92, Ben Tameifuna also wanted to help his team. After having his arm in a sling and a splint throughout the week, the Tongan international right pillar was there to add thickness to the UBB pack. Despite a Tongan flag as a cape when he entered the field, “Big Ben” was never able to use his “super powers”. After each action, the physiotherapists took turns to provide him with care. Until he left the field in the 47th minute. Exhausted.

“Today (Friday), nothing worked,” regretted Yannick Bru. “We could have chosen 23 other Bordeaux players, I think the result would have been the same. We have to congratulate Toulouse for the way they outclassed us.”