Urdapilleta, 40, pushes back retirement for a last dance with Perpignan
At 40 years old, Benjamín Urdapilleta has chosen not to permanently hang up his boots. The Argentine international agreed to return to action with Perpignan this summer, after initially announcing his retirement. This unexpected comeback is part of a specific quest: to enrich an already remarkable personal career record and push his Top 14 points tally even higher, now standing at 2,619 points in the professional era.
In an interview published by Ouest-France, the fly-half spares himself no criticism. He readily admits that his temperament can be irritating, going so far as to describe himself as "unbearable". This frankness will come as no surprise to those who follow his career: Urdapilleta has always displayed a passionate, sometimes rough-edged character, but also total commitment to his teams.
This return to Perpignan is not simply a last hurrah. The former Castres player, among others, wants to still have an impact on the game and pass on his experience to a young group. He also accepts the frustrations that come with age and the physical demands of the championship, without hiding the fact that every match could be one of his last.
Beyond the record, this "last dance" illustrates a visceral attachment to rugby and to USAP. The Catalan fans, who have embraced him, are closely following this extension of his career. The image he
In an interview published by Ouest-France, the fly-half spares himself no criticism. He readily admits that his temperament can be irritating, going so far as to describe himself as "unbearable". This frankness will come as no surprise to those who follow his career: Urdapilleta has always displayed a passionate, sometimes rough-edged character, but also total commitment to his teams.
This return to Perpignan is not simply a last hurrah. The former Castres player, among others, wants to still have an impact on the game and pass on his experience to a young group. He also accepts the frustrations that come with age and the physical demands of the championship, without hiding the fact that every match could be one of his last.
Beyond the record, this "last dance" illustrates a visceral attachment to rugby and to USAP. The Catalan fans, who have embraced him, are closely following this extension of his career. The image he
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Source: Ouest-France