ShThe new World Cup to build a bridge between the two sides of the richest Portuguese career in 33 CVs. A ‘preparation’ match against Australia B in Massy, where it all began (2007-2008; 2009-2015), and a base camp set up in Perpignan, where it could all have ended for the former USP hooker (2021-2023). Except Mike Tadger saved the best for last, giving himself, at 34, the most lavish of jubilees.
” I don’t know…
ShThe new World Cup to build a bridge between the two sides of the richest Portuguese career in 33 CVs. A ‘preparation’ match against Australia B in Massy, where it all began (2007-2008; 2009-2015), and a base camp set up in Perpignan, where it could all have ended for the former USP hooker (2021-2023). Except Mike Tadger saved the best for last, giving himself, at 34, the most lavish of jubilees.
“I don’t know if we can treat it like this, but there are a lot of little signs that interest me,” says the latest recruit from JSI Elne (Fédérale 3, Pyrénées-Orientales) (1). Perpignan, the matches at the Allianz Riviera, at Joffre Guichard, at the Toulouse Stadium… We can’t do better for me, I’m a football-mad man. “Supporting evidence.
Cristiano and Bernardo
We swear he was defending: “Are you crazy? ! respect me ! » On either side of the hurdles at Creps de Font-Romeu, an improvised tennis ball against Sam Marquez and José Lima: despite his size, the Massey native praises his attacking qualities. They defend themselves. In terms of football, the messages of support from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva are one of those little extras that ring around immense happiness.
“We don’t want to appear as painters. We didn’t come just to exchange T-shirts and sing the national anthem while crying.”
Despite his pedigree (105 Top 14 matches, 81 Pro D2 matches), Mike Tudger attaches incredible importance to this large number of details. “It’s stupid of me to say it, but the gown, the uniform, the medal…” Even the ribbons, mismatched—red for one, green for the other—and made especially for the occasion.
A pair released as they should have against Wales (28-8). “We definitely felt that conflicted feeling, but the frustration of the defeat was quickly dissipated by the fact that we were happy to be there, playing a game like that, in front of our families and friends.” Pride tinged with relief. “We don’t want to look like painters. We didn’t just come to exchange shirts and sing the national anthem while crying. »
recognition
No offense, just a feeling that comes from a fun and uninhibited team. “In his pre-match speech, Patrice (Lagesquet) insisted on the importance of managing emotions, and not giving everything away before the match. » Mike Tudger held on enough to play almost the entirety (78th). Further proof of the importance of the 34-year-old hooker, who Its investment is proportional to his gratitude to the Portuguese Wolves. A fair return of things within a selection that has been ignored for a long time by the “French”.
“I know what I owe to Portugal, especially when I was called up after an empty season in Racing due to my injury (2009). I was back in the saddle in the Six-Nations B Championship, playing all the matches. It benefited me a lot, and allowed me to sign a new professional contract in The next year with Macy.” The recognition takes on more meaning as the years go by.
Mike Tadger after the match against the Welsh (28-8).
Christophe Simon/AFP
It is somewhat similar to the emerging national feeling of the French-Portuguese…of Syrian origin. “As you grow older, you become very proud to represent the colors of your loved ones, especially for me, a family member, who never had the opportunity to shake hands with my colors in the Portuguese side. » Thanks to the unlikely qualification, at the end of the tournament in Dubai which was not even supposed To participate in Portuguese Wolves (2), Mike Tadjer made up for lost time.The peak of a career in its twilight.
(1) All participants in the competition must be licensed within the club.
(2) Portugal replaced Spain, and was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.
Articles
Portugal: Guedes – Storti, Bettencourt, Appleton (c), Marta – (s) Portela, (m) Marques – Simoes, Martins, Granit – Cerqueira, Madeira – Haas Ferreira, Tadjer, Fernandes. Subs: Costa, Camberg, Alves, Bello, Wallis, De Freitas, Lucas, Cardoso Pinto.
Georgia: Neniashvili – Tabotsadze, Kvseladze, Charikadze (c), Todua – (o) Abzhandadze, (m) Aprasidze – Gorgadze, Saginadze, Galagonia – Mikautadze, Chachanidze – Gigashvili, Mamukashvili, Naryashvili. Subs: Zamtaradze, Gogishashvili, Babidze, Chishvili, Tsotskiridze, Lubjanidze, Matkava. Tabladze.
