Unfortunately for Matthieu Jalibert, the performance of Thomas Ramos against New Zealand once again gave reason to Fabien Galthié to put the Toulouse player as the starter at the opening. But the Union Bordeaux-Bègles flyhalf was not only relegated to the role of substitute in this match: he was, initially, only a simple reserve. A situation undoubtedly too cruel for him, which led him to ask Fabien Galthié to remove him from the group.
Several former France he should have stayed. Same thing for Vincent Moscato who spoke of a “bullshit”. Richard Dourthe also spoke about this decision by the Bordeaux opener, in a column in Midi Olympique. And the ex-blue does not mince his words to criticize Matthieu Jalibert who, according to him, snubbed the selection, which is quite simply inconceivable.
What would have happened to the French attack line if Thomas Ramos had been injured in the warm-up? Would we have urgently called Léo Berdeu, of whose ability to survive at this level we know nothing? Come on, let's be serious… Put away your pleadings and let me think that what Matthieu Jalibert did last week is simply indefensible. We don’t say “no” to the XV of France. We don't say “no” to the team that thousands of kids across the country watch with Chimène's eyes. We do not say “no” to this jersey for which there are now a few of us, although insignificant compared to the greatness of the institution, to have sweated and bled since 1906.
A good club contract thanks to the selection?
The criticism does not stop there for Richard Dourthe, who also reminds Matthieu Jalibert that it is thanks to his international status that he has a very interesting contract in Bordeaux (this contract, moreover, is not still not extended because we recall that the player let the validity date pass to respond to a first offer from its president Laurent Marti).
If he now has such a good contract in Gironde, it is also thanks to the media and popular exposure that the XV of France has offered him for four years. If it disappears shortly, Laurent Marti (the president of the UBB, Editor's note) even has plenty of time to revise their future agreement downwards.
Pardon ? You say? Cameron Woki did exactly the same thing during the last 6 Nations Tournament and I didn't come across him? I disagree: Woki then asked to be released in order to defend the Racing jersey, which was fighting for its qualification at the same time.
Richard Dourthe also includes, in his indictment, a nice dig against the Bordeaux defense, which clearly leaves something to be desired according to him. But
To summarize
Unfortunately for Matthieu Jalibert, the performance of Thomas Ramos against New Zealand once again gave reason to Fabien Galthié to put the Toulouse player as the starter at the opening. The Bordeaux resident, knowing he was a reservist, asked to leave the group. A decision regretted by many, and very severely criticized by a former player, who let loose against the opener.
