Should Jalibert and Tameifuna have played?

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 even…

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. »

Over the 55 minutes spent on the pitch, 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 true game and not to be able to flourish,” he confides. When I’m on the field, it’s to have fun. And when you don’t feel good physically, you don’t feel good in the head. Afterwards, I knew that physically, it was going to be complicated. After 15 minutes, I already felt pain. To play my game, to gain speed, it was complicated. I didn’t have good feelings. »

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 warned us that he would not be able to sprint at 100%. He had hit 27 km/h on Thursday. I had said to Matthieu and I fully assume 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 would perform better.” But it 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 depth to the UBB pack. Despite a Tongan flag as a cape when he entered the pitch, “Big Ben” was never able to use his “super powers”. After each action, the physios took turns to provide him with care. Until he left the pitch in the 47th minute. Exhausted.

“Today (Friday), nothing worked,” regretted Yannick Bru. We could have chosen 23 other Bordeaux residents, I think the result would have been identical. Toulouse must be congratulated for the way they outclassed us. »