Ct was an evening not to go outside, and we had to shout loudly to silence the noisy gusts which hit the tent of the SA XV partners area this Thursday.
But Ben Botica, decorated with a Midi Olympique Oscar, succeeded, performing a vibrant haka on stage with his brother Jacob. The hundred or so subscribers present, the community leaders and the SA XV squad were not mistaken, giving them a well-deserved round of applause.
Midi Olympique, the specialized Rugby newspaper which visits and honors the different professional clubs throughout the year, has not set foot in Charente since 2019. It then decorated Anthony Coletta at the Carat space. This time, there were several of them to receive the honors.
“He has another quality, which is that he signed for next year! »
Ben Botica, first. Spoiled by the partners of the evening, the New Zealand opener was rewarded for his entire career, but also for his 35 matches played since his arrival at the SA XV in 2023. An adventure not yet over, since the president Didier Pitcho announced good news to the audience: “he has another quality, which is that he has signed for next year! »
The formation of the Charente club was then celebrated. The co-president of the association Jean-Jacques Pitcho praised “the work value” anchored in the SA XV and “the importance of volunteers”. Georgy Balakarev, Seydou Diakité, Enzo and Léo Morand-Bruyat, who passed through the training center, French hopeful champions accession in 2022 and now integrated into the professional squad, received the hopeful Oscar.
The young Seydou Diakité, Georgy Balakarev, Enzo and Léo Morand-Bruyat received the hopeful Oscar.
Quentin Petit
Charente captain Gautier Gibouin was offered a personalized jersey, “honorary Oscar of the SA XV” as presented by sports director Antoine Roger.
The evening, as a way of celebrating the club's good start to the season in Pro D2 (7e after 11 days), also allowed the different actors to project themselves. “We want to write the most beautiful page in the club’s history,” said manager Alexandre Ruiz. “I think our players are preparing quite a surprise for us,” added Didier Pitcho.
Asked during a quiz what he would prefer between wearing the All Blacks jersey and experiencing a Pro D2 semi-final in Chanzy, Ben Botica did not hesitate. Appointment is given for the end of May.
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