Jefferson Poirot, end of the Blues. The player from the Union Bordeaux-Bègles, 36 caps in the France team, explained this surprise decision at length in a message posted on his Instagram account. "A difficult decision", taken "a few months ago". It is this Sunday that the pillar would have announced his choice to coach Fabien Galthié. After announcing his retirement on social media, the Brive-trained player justified his decision in an interview with L'Equipe. He explains that the idea started to germinate after the World Cup. “My decision to stop the French team is not a whim. It has matured since the end of the World Cup. The World Cup in Japan was a masterful moment in my life. The word is strong, but it perfectly characterizes what I experienced, It was immense. Immense sportingly, immensely humanly, immensely emotionally. When the competition ended, a few minutes after the final whistle, I felt a void. ”
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It's time for me to tell you about the difficult decision I made a few months ago. To take a step back from the grail that is the French Team, this wonderful team that is so dreaming, which is so hard to reach but which is also sometimes trying. As with many players who have had the chance to meet her, she has always filled me with joy. After 5 seasons to get involved, to participate in this race against the clock, I decided to take a step back, to devote myself fully to other personal goals. This decision will allow me to no longer have the feeling of being, at 50%, on all fronts, and to refocus on a 100% objective. The goal that obsesses me more and more to win club titles, to pass a milestone in my playing career, and to be a full-time Dad. Those who do not know me will be surprised, perhaps disappointed, those who know me will be able to understand. My loved ones support me, and this decision has been carefully considered, in no case is it a whim: it is for me the right decision. The upright man, the father, is the one who makes the right decisions, at the right time, to be as tall as possible. I would like to thank coaches, players, volunteers, managers that I have had the honor of meeting for the past 5 years in blue, thank all of the French players in the 2019 World Cup. The culmination of my international career, it will remain forever engraved in me. I wish good luck to the French team for the future, I am convinced that this team has a bright future. This exceptional generation, the means put in place by the federation and the sports staff, is "the France 2023 generation"! I wish her to be the first World Champion. French rugby deserves it, and I am happy to have been able to participate, humbly, in all the stages that will allow it to achieve, I hope, this magnificent objective. Now confined to the status of supporter of the XV of France, I love you! See you soon. Jeff Poirot
A publication shared by Jefferson Poirot (@jeff_poirot) on June 7, 2020 at 7:16 PDT
Unlike Guilhem Guirado who put an end to his international career as soon as he was eliminated against Wales, the Girondin took the time to reflect. “The four years that I had just lived were very trying, I had made many sacrifices and I had the impression that I would have a hard time planning for the next four years, In the end, I feel that my motivation is not at the maximum. I have always promised myself to come to the French team 100%, not to lie. Les Bleus is the Grail. I don't want to go there just to take my cape and my bonus (…) The family aspect plays a lot. I have two young children (Marlon, 2 and a half years old and Joy, 15 months old) whom I didn't necessarily see much during these four years. There are also the cadences that weigh on me. Isn't my whole career at risk of being wiped out? I feel worn out. ”
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Vice-captain of the XV of France under Jacques Brunel, he was doubled in the hierarchy of the new tricolor staff of Fabien Galthié by the Toulousain Cyril Baille. He had been sidelined for the 6 Nations Tournament match in Wales. However, he says he did not make his decision under the effect of the disappointment of not having been appointed captain by the new Blues staff. “This replacement situation could have revolted me. But no (...) It is hard, but the effect was opposite. It relieved me. The decision was even easier to validate. It is for this reason that I make the right decision (...) When I returned to Bordeaux when the Blues were taking off for Wales, my wife said to me: " I have never felt you so relieved, soothed since you joined the France team. " It means a lot. ” His decision, not common, would in any case surprise his teammates: “I talked to some during the Tournament. They said, " No, you can't! We need you." I was touched. But the decision was made. The worst is Baptiste Serin, to whom I am closest. He doesn't believe me! He is confident that I will reverse my decision. ” For a surprise comeback?
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