Matthieu Jalibert an attacking giant as France make World Cup statement in Australia

Matthieu Jalibert, playing at fullback for France, produced a stunning attacking display against Australia in the Nations Championship.

Matthieu Jalibert

Jalibert was consistently outstanding for Bordeaux in their defence of the Investec Champions Cup. He played seven of the eight matches and, along with captain and scrumhalf Maxime Lucu, was the most influential halfback combination in the competition.

The duo were superb in the 34-32 Nations Championship defeat against the All Blacks in Christchurch.

None of the players from the Top 14 finalists, Toulouse and Montpellier, were considered for the Test against the All Blacks, but France coach Fabien Galthie had no hesitation in introducing the very best from the two sides, to combine with the best of Bordeaux and Pau to make a 2027 Rugby World Cup statement.

Australia hosts the 2027 World Cup and France, the back-to-back Six Nations Champions, sent the most emphatic message to the rugby world of their potency when they pick a near full-strength squad.

Bordeaux’s wing sensation Louis Bielle-Biarrey was rested for the Nations Championship Tests in July. Bielle-Biarrey was the Six Nations Player of the Year and the Investec Champions Cup Player of the Year.

Toulouse and French captain Antoine Dupont was picked to play Australia but did not travel to Australia following a calf strain in Toulouse’s winning Top 14 final against Montpellier.

Toulouse and France fullback Thomas Ramos was also rested.

For the rest, this was France, with the core of their most prominent internationals available. It is rare for France to travel to the Southern Hemisphere with a first-choice squad, but WOW what a difference to the occasion when they do.

The Nations Championship has been electric in the opening fortnight, and France has been at the front of the queue of those teams making all the right noises.

The French pack, especially in the second half, went into another gear. Their backs, with Lucu and Toulouse flyhalf Romain Ntamack in total control, flourished.

Jalibert, playing fullback, was the pick of a back division in which each player could have made a claim for back of the match.

Jalibert, who made 19 carries against the All Blacks as a flyhalf, made 17 carries against Australia as a fullback.

His attacking control was top notch and he combined with Ntamack as a playmaker from phase play and always influenced the threat of France’s transition play.

Montpellier’s captain and No 6 flanker Lenni Nouchi was the best French forward. He carried 17 times for 57 attack metres, made two line breaks, beat three defenders and added two effective offloads to his attacking contribution. Defensively, he made 14 tackles.

Nouchi is just 22 years-old.

Marko Gazzotti translated his Investec Champions Cup form for Bordeaux to the Nations Championship. He is one of the best loose-forwards in the world. Defensively, he is a trojan, and he led the French tackle count with 17.