ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Portuguese rugby legend Mike Tadjer retires in style

BY Philip Bendon  ·  Monday Oct 9, 2023

In the attritional world of professional rugby, players rarely get the opportunity to hang up their boots on their own terms.

ADVERTISEMENT

Whether it is injury, form or a combination of the two, some of the game’s best names have seen their careers end without the adulation they would have perhaps deserved.

Veteran Presence

Fortunately for Portuguese stalwart Mike Tadjer, this was not the case as the 34-year-old hooker bowed out from the international stage.

Making his international debut in 2011, Tadjer has been one of rugby’s great journeymen.

Playing for nine professional clubs in the French leagues since 2007, the French-born hooker has gathered in-depth knowledge of what it takes to succeed at the top level.

Thus, his inclusion in the Portuguese squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup was no surprise.

What was perhaps a surprise was the immensely positive brand of attacking rugby that the Tier two side brought to the competition.

Recording a remarkable draw against a highly favoured Georgian team, Portugal ticked off a first-ever positive result at the tournament.

History Beckons

Yet, having been just one kick away from victory, one felt that Portugal deserved more for the endeavour they had shown.

ADVERTISEMENT

Few would have suspected what was in store as they took to the pitch on Sunday evening against a quarterfinal-bound Fijian team in Toulouse.

Racing out to an early lead, Os Lobos laid the foundation for what would be the biggest result in their history.

Unfortunately for them, as they have shown all tournament, Fiji is not a team that rolls over and quits.

Regaining the lead and building up to a buffer of six points with less than five minutes to play, the Fijians looked to have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

ADVERTISEMENT

The South Pacific Islanders perhaps didn’t account for the spirit in the Portuguese side, who had one last roll of the dice to pull off the upset.

What followed was a remarkable turnaround as the Portuguese wingers Raffaele Storti and Rodrigo Marta combined to finish off a sublime try.

This score would set up a match-winning conversion for scrumhalf Samuel Marques. The veteran would duly knock over to give the Portuguese their first win of the tournament.

Emotional Retirement

Holding his two children, Tadjer spoke of his pride for what his team had achieved throughout the tournament.

“I can die tomorrow; it would be an awesome day for me.

“I will retire after the World Cup, so to finish like that is unbelievable for me.”

Speaking on how special his teammates are, many of whom play amateur rugby in Portugal, the hooker said,

“It’s our strength. Some (are) amateur in Portugal, some (are) professional in France. It is over four years we built this, and we are happy today to repay ourselves.”

Shifting his focus to the future of Rugby in Portugal, he was positive as to which direction the sport was going.

“Yes, I hope the future will be good for us because we deserve it. We need to continue to work in a good way for the next generation.” He concluded with a smile.

Related Articles

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Bielle-Biarrey & Penaud stunning long-range...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok star leaves Ulster Rugby following...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All

Amateur

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 131 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

View All