Rugby. Mathieu Jalibert, the game-changing prankster

Without waiting, the joker jumped out of his box. It’s been four minutes since Mathieu Jaliber headed Romain Ntamak. Little footwork for him, acceleration, fixation, transfer. A decisive move that would lead to Damien Penault’s second try (60^e). Twelve minutes later rebelote and tender der. The opener strikes above the Japanese defences, recovers and deploys the cavalry. Jelonchi’s essay. Two brilliant shots that are far from done fueling the debate. His Toulouse rival, a renewed owner all autumn, served the third time without much relief. When Bordeaux changed everything.

Addressing the microphones, he painfully hides his joy. “I try, as a finisher, to stay in the frame without overplaying, but bringing my touch, not to lower the level of the team, but to bring my qualities to it. Out of three games, I think I managed to do that. I brought my energy, my enthusiasm, and it paid off.” Does he come back with a vengeance every time? “Not particularly he answers in as neutral a voice as possible. I take my time and try to do my best to help the team perform.» He says he noticed some weaknesses in Japan’s second defensive curtain from the bench. “We have time to analyze and target opportunities. Finisher, we benefit from the work of undermining. With my speed qualities it allowed me to make the difference.

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Did he receive instructions from the crew to attempt these two actions? “No, but he knows my qualities. I’m a player who likes to attack the lane, try things that come my way. I play by instinct. Do his three crucial records feed his frustration in the face of a hierarchy frozen by the coach in the name of “memory duty”? His face says more than words. “You should not ask me, but the staff. I make my notes as best I can. Then there are choices and you have to accept them. I’m staying positive.”