Argentina

[Schadenfreude]

So what's the chances an exception may be made to allow more players from Argentina into Super Rugby?

 

[Cave Dweller]

So what's the chances an exception may be made to allow more players from Argentina into Super Rugby?

There are talks and it was promised that by 2016 a Argentinian team will be entered into the competition.

 

[Cave Dweller]

June Internationals
In massive news from Argentina, the UAR has confirmed that Tucuman will join Córdoba in hosting France two test tour of the republic this coming June. The announcement confirms the UAR´s groundbreaking distribution of international rugby acorss the country - a strong indication of the union and country´s ability to hsot Rugby World Cup 2023. Tucumán had been indicated as a strong candidate to host the second test vs France but it was, nevertheless, not likely as it would mean Buenos Aires would only host one test in 2012 and that it would be in la Plata, 60KM east of the capital.

Los Pumas will play for the people of Argentina with the country´s second and sixth largest cities, Córdoba and Tucumán will host France. The third largest, Rosario will host Australia in The Rugby Championship. The fourth largest, Mendoza will host South Africa while the fifth largest, La Plata will host New Zealand and do so in the name of all of greater Buenos Aires and the province of the same name. The country´s tenth largest city, San Juan will host Italy. With the UAR looking to make rugby professional in Argentina the policy would appear to be well suited to encouraging this process.



June 09 Argentina vs Italy, San Juan

The Andean city of San Juan (Saint John) was selected as one of eight Argentine cities to host South America´s premier soccer competition, the Copa América in 2011. At the time of the announcement the city´s largest stadium was the Estadio San Martín de San Juan with a capacity of around 18,000. The same venue was used to host an international rugby match between Argentina A and Chile in 2007 in which Argentina A won 79-8. However, for Copa América 2011 a new stadium called the Estadio de Bicentenario was constructed to host matches in San Juan.

The Estadio del Bicentenario has a capacity of 25,000 making it a similar size to New Plymouth which will host three pool matches at Rugby World Cup 2011. The stadium hosted an international rugby match in August 2011 in what was the Farewell match for Los Pumas. Argentina took on a South American Invitational XV known as the CONSUR XV and won the match 78-15. The positive turnout underlines the profile of Los Pumas in Argentina.

San Juan is located 1,150KM west of Buenos Aires, 420KM west of Córdoba, 700KM southwest of Tucumán and 152KM north of Mendoza. San Juan is Argentina´s tenth largest city with a population of 453,000 and is the capital of San Juan Province. Together with Mendoza, San Luis and La Rioja the region is known as Cuyo. Like Mendoza, San Juan is famous for its red wine but San Juan´s tourism is also centred on rock formations in and around the city in places including the Quebrada de Ullum Dam, the Difunta Correa sanctuary and Ischigualasto National Park.

June 16 Argentina vs France, Córdoba

As one of seven stadiums used by Argentina to host the 1978 FIFA World Cup, the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, formerly known as Estadio Córdoba, the Estadio Olímpico Chateau Carreras, or the Estadio Olímpico in Córdoda got a capacity of 57,000. It was construced in 1976 for the pupose of hosting matches in Córdoba for the 1978 FIFA World Cup. The stadium hosted 8 out of the tournaments 38 matches, or 21% of the tournaments matches. Since 1978 it has continued to host matches of high profile soccer tournaments that have taken place in Argentina such as the 1987 Copa América, the 2001 World FIFA Junior Championship and it will host matches in the Copa América again in 2011.

Argentina have played three international matches at the stadium. The first vs Fiji in 2003 and the most recent vs Italy in 2008. For the 2008 match Argentina were without a large number of key players because of the yet to finish long club season in France which started directly after the 2007 Rugby World Cup. In a low scoring match Italy scored a controversial try late in the match and kicked the conversion to win 13-12. Los Pumas got revenge several months latter in november 2008 in Italy, defeating the Italians 22-14 in Torino.

The city of Córdoba is the second largest in Argentina after the capital, Buenos Aires. With a population of 1.3 million it is a city rich in history dating back to 1573 and is famous for its spanish architecture. It is also a very beautiful city surrounded by mountains and is considered to be one of the most beautiful regions of the country. It is located 700KM northwest of Buenos Aires and 400KM west of Rosario. It is 465KM east of Mendoza, 410KM east of San Juan and 520KM south of Tucuman.

June 23 Argentina vs France, Tucumán

The province of Tucumán is considered to be the heartland of Argentine rugby. Rugby is more popular than soccer in the province and the province has a strong rugby team known as Los Naranjas (oranges). Los Naranjas won the Campeonato Argentino in 2010 after defeating Rosario 19-13 in the final. The city has produced many Pumas including 2007 World Cup prop Omar Hasan.

At present the capacity of the Estadio Monumental Presidente José Fierro is 32,700. The stadium is scheduled to be upgraded to have modern facilities and a larger capacity. Using the stadiums in New Zealand as a comparison, Tucumán would appear to be a complete candidade to host matches should a Rugby World Cup be played in Argentina. It could host up to four pool matches and even one key match similar to Dunedin which will host Ireland vs Italy in 2011.

On June the 12th 2010, Argentina hosted Scotland in an international rugby match at the Estadio Monumental Presidente José Fierro in San Miguel de Tucumán. Despite taking place on the same day as Argentina vs Nigeria in the FIFA World Cup, the match was a great success registering an attendance of 32,000. Being able to attract a crowd of this size speaks wonders for the popularity of rugby in Argentina and underlines the city of Tucumán as a host city should Argentina host a Rugby World Cup. Despite having a vocal crowd cheer on the home team, Scotland won the match 24-16. The loss marked the first ever loss for Los Pumas in Tucumán.

Although the name of the city is San Miguel de Tucumán it is commonly refered to simply as Tucumán. With a population of almost 800,000 it is the largest city in northern Argentina and the fifth largest in the country. It is located 500KM north of Córdoba and 1300KM from Buenos Aires.

 

[Cave Dweller]

The Pumitas lost to Baby Boks

The Argentine Under 20 team lost against his counterpart from South Africa, by 51 to 19, in the first match of the tour in South Africa.

The Pumitas tries were scored by Facundo Poet (2) and Sebastian Isa. Facundo Poet also slotted 2 conversions.

The Baby Boks held a slender 15-12 lead at half-time. After 19 minutes, Patrick Howard went over near the corner flag. Flyhalf Tony Jantjies kicked the conversion and a penalty before No 8 Fabian Booysen crashed over right before the break.

Fullback Marius Schmidt scored his side’s third try in the 53rd minute (23-12) and four minutes later inside centre Jan Serfontein scored to stretch the lead to 30-12. Pumitas lock Guillermann Cruz received his second yellow card, South Africa took full advantage, with Marzauk Maarman and Abriel Griesel (two) scoring further tries.

The next match will be played on Tuesday, April 17 with the final game of the three-match series taking place next Saturday, 21 April .

 

[Cave Dweller]

After a very generous arrangement thanks to the SARU (South African Rugby Union) in January 2010 the Pampas XV was born as they got a slot in the Vodacom Cup. Since then it has been a phenomenal success and very beneficial for Argentine rugby.

But it is the second season where the Pampas XV were champions that was the best example of why the competition has been so good for Argentine rugby. The nature of the tournament which was week in week out, seemed to help the players more than Argentina Jaguars has done, and in turn that has helped the national side the Pumas massively as well.

Take Juan Imhoff for example, he had been in the Jaguars set up for a couple of years since 2009 but was going nowhere in the old set up, he spent two years aimlessly scoring tries but hardly got an opportunity to help gain Argentine selection.

But then last year during the Vodacom Cup, a star was found, Imhoff had been scoring tries at a very good rate for Rosario and the Jaguars side previously but as I mentioned it got him nowhere, but after selection for the Pampas XV and scoring 10 tries in as many matches and being nominated for player of the tournament, he was on the Pumas radar and continued to grab his opportunities and by the end of the year ended up in the World Cup squad scoring two tries and playing professionally very well for Racing-Métro in France.

The Pampas XV is like a club side, and for that reason it is more beneficial than the Jaguars and a better indication of a player than domestic rugby in Argentina. The coaches can watch a player for a period of 11 matches, and can easier judge which players have Pumas qualities and can monitor their consistency rather than the one off nature of Jaguars matches where not always a lot can be judged in one or two matches. Whilst the higher standard of the tournament in relation to domestic rugby in Argentina, where it is also hard to judge players in regards to international rugby.

An Argentine player now no longer has to wait to be signed for a European side to be selected to be in Pumas contention and can rise up to the Pumas squad a lot quicker, there are now opportunities that previously wouldn’t have been available for young Argentine based players.

There is a lot to thank South Africa for arranging what has become a very good platform for Argentine players to play professionally and become Pumas. The Argentine governing body the UAR who are still dreadfully slow to make rugby in Argentina professional have a lot thank both South Africa and France for the Pumas development since the 1999 World Cup.

South African’s share similar lifestyle traits with Argentina, and the rugby culture of the South Americans have seen both SARFU and UAR working together in recent years. This development tool has seen Argentinean players competing in the South African Vodacom Cup competition since 2010. The Pampas XV is composed almost entirely by members of the High Performance Plan of the UAR. South Africa has also used several top international players in their Currie Cup and Super Rugby campaigns, the two most famous Argentineans being Federico Méndez and Juan Martín Hernández.

Méndez was instrumental for Natal in 1996 - winning the Currie Cup competition and finishing second in the Super 12. Hernández, despite getting injured during the season, was part of the Natal team that eventually won the 2010 Currie Cup over Western Province.

Unfortunately for South Africa though, as France have experienced in the past as well, their help to Argentine rugby may result in some losses to the Pumas in the future, who knows perhaps with many Pampas XV alumni leading the Pumas to victory.

 

[Manuel]

Hi all. As a Pumas fan myself, I thought it could be useful to add the french perspective on a few players, as in the SH few people can see them regularly. I don't get to see the Pampas' games, so I'll only comment on European-based players.

Hookers:
With Mario Ledesma having been such a legend, hookers have not really developped in the last decade. Alberto Vernet Basualdo and Eusebio Guiñazú are decent players, specially come scrumtime, but struggle in open play and at lineout throwing. Agustín Creevy is probably the find of the season. Fabien Galthié (Montpellier's coach, you may remember him from his playing days not too long ago) seems to have a thing for Argentine players, and has been very successful in spotting the good ones rather early. Creevy plays like a fourth backrower, being very good at the breakdown and always making himself available for his fly-half. Good enough at lineout throwing and good at scrums, although this is perhaps the only point in which the "older" ones are better than him. He's a sure starter.
I've heard that the Pampas' hooker is good, but haven't seen him.

Props:
Let me put it this way: I seriously think that if the seventh-choice Argentina prop had an Aussi granny, he would be Wallaby material. The depth here is trully impressive. In their last Top 14 game, Montpellier had an all-Puma starting frontrow (Juan Figallo and Maximiliano Bustos being the props), you can see Stade Français having two argentine props simultaneously (Rodrigo Roncero and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro), and you can add a starter for Biarritz, Leicester Tigers and Racing Métro (Francisco Gómez Kodela, Marcos Ayerza and Juan Pablo Orlandi respectively). They just love scrums, and for some of them (notably Ayerza and Figallo amongst the younger ones), are very mobile too. Off these, Orlandi is likely to miss out (he's a solid scrummager, but not much else), as may Gómez Kodela in favour of someone I don't know.

Locks:
No one, of any nationality, can talk of the best locks in France without mentioning Patricio Albacete. The guy is just awesome. After him, there seems to be a big gap, though. Biarritz's Manuel Carizza is alright, but light years away from Albacete.

Backrowers:
As an introduction, it should be said that the Argies prefer their backrowers in the french style. They don't generally use openside or blindside, so the backrowers tend to be somewhere in between the specialized kind that you see in english-speaking countries or in South Africa (like Heinrich Brüssow or Jerry Collins, for instance).
I think this is an area of concern for Argentina. They have two highly regarded backrowers: Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe is, on form, one of the best ones in Europe. But he's been injured for a long time and he's not yet back to his best. Being his age (31), you can never be certain that he'll be back to form. Juan Manuel Leguizamón, who you may remember from youtube wonders such as this, this and this one, is also highly regarded, but hasn't had the best of seasons with soon-to-be-relegated Lyon. Besides that, the world cup ones as Farías and Senatore may get gametime, despite being no longer very young. Racing Métro's Galindo does well for his club, but has never been considered by the Pumas coaches for a real stint (he's not young either though)

Halfbacks:
Nicolás Vergallo is third (or even fourth) choice for Toulouse, which doesn't necessarilly mean he's bad, but he hasn't really had gametime this year. Agustín Figuerola is second choice at 11th-placed Brive, while Alfredo Lalanne is playing for London Scottish in the RFU Championship. They really haven't ben able to replace Agustín Pichot, so let's hope they have a few good ones playing for Pampas.

Inside backs+fullback:
I won't talk about Felipe Contepomi, as I assume you all know him. He's playing a lot and very well for Paris, though, after two seasons being Jonny Wilkinson's replacement at Toulon. At Stade Français his inside center has been most often Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga. He's been playing very well, both defense and attack. Montpellier's Santiago Fernández has also been having a good season, playing outside, or insted of, François Trinh-Duc. Then Biarritz's Marcelo Bosch has been playing both 10 and 13. My personal favourite, despite a tendency not to give the ball to his wingers, he always looks for the break (the space, not the face), is a good defender, would add some weight in midfield and is the author of the sexiest penalty kick of the WC. Gonzalo Tiesi has been injured since the WC, so it's impossible to know if he'll be back to his level for the 4N. He'll probably get test gametime in June, so we should be able to see. These guys are all (maybe except Tiesi) playmaking types, who like to take the ball close to the gainline and put their partners into space. Fernández and Rodríguez are also very good at the long-passing game (something I feel Contepomi lacks). Tiesi is more of a straight runner, but also has good ball-in-hand skills.

Wingers:
Plenty to choose from here. Gonzalo Camacho, as was said before, has not scored many tries in his career, but he can finish a try and, most importantly, is a constant threat. Same with Horacio Agulla, who is a very good defender and can do the necessary finishing job when asked. He has been a good complement for Alex Tuilagi at Leicester. Because of his muscly type, good defense and low centre of gravity, we're likely to see some of him playing 13. Juan Imhoff has been one of the most impressive outside backs this season in the Top 14. Lucas González Amorosino has a monster sidestep. He's a bit Israel Dagg-ish - he's the kind of fullback that makes the opposite team change a gameplan and avoid kicking for territory. Imhoff, Camacho and Amorosino have only one thing in mind: going forward (a bit like Ioane). Agulla is more tactical. Finally, Martín Bustos Moyano is a reliable winger; good in defense, able to gain metres and finish off a try. Plus, he's by far the most accurate Argentine goal kicker (he's actually the only Argentine to be a first-choice kicker in a french club).

If I was to choose a top matchday 22, I'd go for (I'm assuming the oldies won't participate, but they may):
1. Figallo
2. Creevy
3. Bustos
4. Carizza
5. Albacete
6. Senatore
7. Leguizamón
8. JMFL
9. Figuerola
10. Fernández
11. Imhoff
12. Rodríguez Gurruchaga
13. Bosch
14. Agulla
15. González Amorosino

16. ???
17. Ayerza
18. Galarza
19. Farías
20. Vergallo
21. Tiesi
22. Camacho

 

[tranquility]

I love this thread, keep it coming lads!!

 

[Cave Dweller]

Hi all. As a Pumas fan myself, I thought it could be useful to add the french perspective on a few players, as in the SH few people can see them regularly. I don't get to see the Pampas' games, so I'll only comment on European-based players.

Hookers:
With Mario Ledesma having been such a legend, hookers have not really developped in the last decade. Alberto Vernet Basualdo and Eusebio Guiñazú are decent players, specially come scrumtime, but struggle in open play and at lineout throwing. Agustín Creevy is probably the find of the season. Fabien Galthié (Montpellier's coach, you may remember him from his playing days not too long ago) seems to have a thing for Argentine players, and has been very successful in spotting the good ones rather early. Creevy plays like a fourth backrower, being very good at the breakdown and always making himself available for his fly-half. Good enough at lineout throwing and good at scrums, although this is perhaps the only point in which the "older" ones are better than him. He's a sure starter.
I've heard that the Pampas' hooker is good, but haven't seen him.

Props:
Let me put it this way: I seriously think that if the seventh-choice Argentina prop had an Aussi granny, he would be Wallaby material. The depth here is trully impressive. In their last Top 14 game, Montpellier had an all-Puma starting frontrow (Juan Figallo and Maximiliano Bustos being the props), you can see Stade Français having two argentine props simultaneously (Rodrigo Roncero and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro), and you can add a starter for Biarritz, Leicester Tigers and Racing Métro (Francisco Gómez Kodela, Marcos Ayerza and Juan Pablo Orlandi respectively). They just love scrums, and for some of them (notably Ayerza and Figallo amongst the younger ones), are very mobile too. Off these, Orlandi is likely to miss out (he's a solid scrummager, but not much else), as may Gómez Kodela in favour of someone I don't know.

Locks:
No one, of any nationality, can talk of the best locks in France without mentioning Patricio Albacete. The guy is just awesome. After him, there seems to be a big gap, though. Biarritz's Manuel Carizza is alright, but light years away from Albacete.

Backrowers:
As an introduction, it should be said that the Argies prefer their backrowers in the french style. They don't generally use openside or blindside, so the backrowers tend to be somewhere in between the specialized kind that you see in english-speaking countries or in South Africa (like Heinrich Brüssow or Jerry Collins, for instance).
I think this is an area of concern for Argentina. They have two highly regarded backrowers: Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe is, on form, one of the best ones in Europe. But he's been injured for a long time and he's not yet back to his best. Being his age (31), you can never be certain that he'll be back to form. Juan Manuel Leguizamón, who you may remember from youtube wonders such as this, this and this one, is also highly regarded, but hasn't had the best of seasons with soon-to-be-relegated Lyon. Besides that, the world cup ones as Farías and Senatore may get gametime, despite being no longer very young. Racing Métro's Galindo does well for his club, but has never been considered by the Pumas coaches for a real stint (he's not young either though)

Halfbacks:
Nicolás Vergallo is third (or even fourth) choice for Toulouse, which doesn't necessarilly mean he's bad, but he hasn't really had gametime this year. Agustín Figuerola is second choice at 11th-placed Brive, while Alfredo Lalanne is playing for London Scottish in the RFU Championship. They really haven't ben able to replace Agustín Pichot, so let's hope they have a few good ones playing for Pampas.

Inside backs+fullback:
I won't talk about Felipe Contepomi, as I assume you all know him. He's playing a lot and very well for Paris, though, after two seasons being Jonny Wilkinson's replacement at Toulon. At Stade Français his inside center has been most often Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga. He's been playing very well, both defense and attack. Montpellier's Santiago Fernández has also been having a good season, playing outside, or insted of, François Trinh-Duc. Then Biarritz's Marcelo Bosch has been playing both 10 and 13. My personal favourite, despite a tendency not to give the ball to his wingers, he always looks for the break (the space, not the face), is a good defender, would add some weight in midfield and is the author of the sexiest penalty kick of the WC. Gonzalo Tiesi has been injured since the WC, so it's impossible to know if he'll be back to his level for the 4N. He'll probably get test gametime in June, so we should be able to see. These guys are all (maybe except Tiesi) playmaking types, who like to take the ball close to the gainline and put their partners into space. Fernández and Rodríguez are also very good at the long-passing game (something I feel Contepomi lacks). Tiesi is more of a straight runner, but also has good ball-in-hand skills.

Wingers:
Plenty to choose from here. Gonzalo Camacho, as was said before, has not scored many tries in his career, but he can finish a try and, most importantly, is a constant threat. Same with Horacio Agulla, who is a very good defender and can do the necessary finishing job when asked. He has been a good complement for Alex Tuilagi at Leicester. Because of his muscly type, good defense and low centre of gravity, we're likely to see some of him playing 13. Juan Imhoff has been one of the most impressive outside backs this season in the Top 14. Lucas González Amorosino has a monster sidestep. He's a bit Israel Dagg-ish - he's the kind of fullback that makes the opposite team change a gameplan and avoid kicking for territory. Imhoff, Camacho and Amorosino have only one thing in mind: going forward (a bit like Ioane). Agulla is more tactical. Finally, Martín Bustos Moyano is a reliable winger; good in defense, able to gain metres and finish off a try. Plus, he's by far the most accurate Argentine goal kicker (he's actually the only Argentine to be a first-choice kicker in a french club).

If I was to choose a top matchday 22, I'd go for (I'm assuming the oldies won't participate, but they may):
1. Figallo
2. Creevy
3. Bustos
4. Carizza
5. Albacete
6. Senatore
7. Leguizamón
8. JMFL
9. Figuerola
10. Fernández
11. Imhoff
12. Rodríguez Gurruchaga
13. Bosch
14. Agulla
15. González Amorosino

16. ???
17. Ayerza
18. Galarza
19. Farías
20. Vergallo
21. Tiesi
22. Camacho

Hi. Thank you so much for your contribution. I am currently in Brazil so French rugby matches do not get shown here so much and one got to rely on opinions of journalist rather than following the games one self. So I thank you for your input and sharing your observations and I hope you will continue with your positive feedback in the future

While we are with the French what is your thought on 19 year old loosehead prop Jefferson Poirot? He destroyed the Scarlets tighthead according to reports and look a very bright prospect for France.

I just have a minor problem with that 15.


1. Figallo
2. Creevy
3. Bustos
4. Carizza
5. Albacete
6. Senatore
7. Leguizamón
8. JMFL
9. Figuerola
10. Fernández/Bosch
11. Imhoff
12. Santiago Fernández
13. Tiesi
14. Agulla
15. González Amorosino/Rodríguez Gurruchaga

I always believe in play a player in his best position. This is where Bosch and Gurruchaga comes in. Bosch is 1 a flyhalf 2 a outside centre. He can play it but nowhere as good as he is a flyhalf. Gurruchaga the same. He is a better fullback than center and he is more comfortable there. Tiesi loves outside center and has been the best performer in that position. So the tough choice would be speedy Gonzales or Pato. Also the Pampas captain Julio Farias Cabello been in very good form and it will be surprising if he does not find he's way into the squad.

 

[Manuel]

Hi. Thank you so much for your contribution. I am currently in Brazil so French rugby matches do not get shown here so much and one got to rely on opinions of journalist rather than following the games one self. So I thank you for your input and sharing your observations and I hope you will continue with your positive feedback in the future

While we are with the French what is your thought on 19 year old loosehead prop Jefferson Poirot? He destroyed the Scarlets tighthead according to reports and look a very bright prospect for France.

I just have a minor problem with that 15.


1. Figallo
2. Creevy
3. Bustos
4. Carizza
5. Albacete
6. Senatore
7. Leguizamón
8. JMFL
9. Figuerola
10. Fernández/Bosch
11. Imhoff
12. Santiago Fernández
13. Tiesi
14. Agulla
15. González Amorosino/Rodríguez Gurruchaga

I always believe in play a player in his best position. This is where Bosch and Gurruchaga comes in. Bosch is 1 a flyhalf 2 a outside centre. He can play it but nowhere as good as he is a flyhalf. Gurruchaga the same. He is a better fullback than center and he is more comfortable there. Tiesi loves outside center and has been the best performer in that position. So the tough choice would be speedy Gonzales or Pato. Also the Pampas captain Julio Farias Cabello been in very good form and it will be surprising if he does not find he's way into the squad.

That's a fair point. I went with the positions they were mostly playing on, but I think Phelan is more likely to play them in their prefered position. I also have doubts about Fernández's defence at 12. I do like Bosch at 10 though.

Re: Poirot, we have a lot of young losseheads coming (look, I'm already talking about France in the first person, he). The U20 scrum is destroying everyone in the 6N, I'm looking forward to see how they do in the JWC. Yann Watremez and Sébastien Taofifenua are very young LHP (22 and 19 years old) that are keeping big shots on the bench (Barcella and Schuster). Poirot looks promising, but needs more gametime. They're all very young, so there's no need to rush them into the french side. The main problem is at tighthead, or in props that can play both sides (as in Europe benches are 8 players, including an entire frontrow).

 

[Cave Dweller]

That's a fair point. I went with the positions they were mostly playing on, but I think Phelan is more likely to play them in their prefered position. I also have doubts about Fernández's defence at 12. I do like Bosch at 10 though.

Re: Poirot, we have a lot of young losseheads coming (look, I'm already talking about France in the first person, he). The U20 scrum is destroying everyone in the 6N, I'm looking forward to see how they do in the JWC. Yann Watremez and Sébastien Taofifenua are very young LHP (22 and 19 years old) that are keeping big shots on the bench (Barcella and Schuster). Poirot looks promising, but needs more gametime. They're all very young, so there's no need to rush them into the french side. The main problem is at tighthead, or in props that can play both sides (as in Europe benches are 8 players, including an entire frontrow).

Totally agree. The 12 position is going to be the problem position and a lot of head scratching for that one. We have bundles of 10's , wingers and FB's.

One thing about the prop comment you made earlier. We have so many props that we give half them away to Italy lol. People talk about the funny non Italian surnames in the Italian team but they must just look how many Argentinian born players are in that Italian squad. They will be surprised with the amount of pure born and bred Italians in that team really. But its we also contributing to the development and spread of Rugby across the globe. Brazil starting to perform better as well and they can hold their heads up high with the manner the performed against Uruguay.

 

[Nusadan]

CD, given that Brazil will be hosting the first Olympics Rugby sevens ever in four years' time, and them having teams in both mens and womens as hosts, wonder what they are doing to prepare for that?

I am aware the Brazilian womens team have been in few international sevens tournaments but their skill levels are fairly average...but their figures and looks aren't from what I have observed!

 

[Cave Dweller]

CD, given that Brazil will be hosting the first Olympics Rugby sevens ever in four years' time, and them having teams in both mens and womens as hosts, wonder what they are doing to prepare for that?

I am aware the Brazilian womens team have been in few international sevens tournaments but their skill levels are fairly average...but their figures and looks aren't from what I have observed!

Brazil are still babies compared to most nations in International rugby but they improved a lot just in a few years. They have beaten us in the sevens once although we came back and won the tournament it is still remarkable. I think the sevens game is really a good piece of advertisement to get the public interested in Rugby as total. Sevens make more teams competitive as we have seen a team like Kenya beating Australia in it recently. Its not the 15 man game and Australians will not pay attention too much to it but in lower tier countries that is like winning the WC in the 15 man game. The people start to take interest in rugby as a whole. Brazil finished third in the CONSUR 2011 Sevens which is the best ever finish for Brazil as rugby continues to experience substantial growth across the world´s fifth largest country. Just because of that and the won over Paraguay the popular TV channels are showing now rugby on it which was unheard of in the past. They are still Tier 3 but for rugby in general it is a big win. Brazilians are born natural athletes not in size normally but with pace and skill. They just need to transfer that skill from foot to hand!

 

[PaarlBok]

sorry CD only discover this thread now. look like we have another WeePee supporter on board. Welkom Boet, I do run the Vodacom Cup thread also here and you are welcome to give me a bit of a hard time like the others.

Would like to know a bit more from yourself and more input on the braai thread will be welcomed.

 

[Cave Dweller]

sorry CD only discover this thread now. look like we have another WeePee supporter on board. Welkom Boet, I do run the Vodacom Cup thread also here and you are welcome to give me a bit of a hard time like the others.

Would like to know a bit more from yourself and more input on the braai thread will be welcomed.

lol I have the honour to vist SA numerous times with my dad. My first game I saw was Boland vs WP at Newlands where Boland shocked them by exploiting Louis Koen. Krige was injured and Boland ran whole day at him and won the match. It was a great game. My dad a very big rugby fan he been following the Jaguars to SA in previous years and fell in love with the countries scenery specially Cape Town.

 

[PaarlBok]

lol I have the honour to vist SA numerous times with my dad. My first game I saw was Boland vs WP at Newlands where Boland shocked them by exploiting Louis Koen. Krige was injured and Boland ran whole day at him and won the match. It was a great game. My dad a very big rugby fan he been following the Jaguars to SA in previous years and fell in love with the countries scenery specially Cape Town.

OK Boland is better!

CD I opened a Danie Craven thread when he turned 100 years. he sure played a huge role in Argentinias rugby.
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/co...n-100-years-long-live-the-craven-spirit.6174/

He send Izak van Heerden over to Argentinia to grow rugby

Supersport

Another aspect that makes touring Argentina fun is the fact that South Africans hold the revered status of founding fathers in their small rugby community - especially Dr Danie Craven.
Barry Heatlie, the man who holds the distinction of having led South Africa to its first international victory, settled in Buenos Aires in 1905 after he had run into personal troubles and felt the need to leave the country.
In South America Heatlie joined a sugar company, of which he became general manager by the time of his retirement in 1924, and is credited with having played an important role in establishing the game of rugby in Buenos Aires.
South Africa gave further impetus to rugby in the Argentina by sending a Junior Springbok rugby team to tour there in 1932 and 1959 and Gazelles teams in 1966 and 1972.
By inviting the Pumas to make a tour to South Africa in 1965 Dr Craven effectively placed Argentina on the IRB's agenda and it is a gesture that has never been forgotten.
Before the 1965 tour Craven had assigned the Izak van Heerden to prepare the Puma team and to take charge of them on tour and the visionary Natalian is often described as "the father of Argentine rugby."
The Pumas, however, have a sense that it is time for the pupil to teach the master the lesson. In the guise of the South American Jaguars - a ruse dreamt up by Craven to give his beloved Springboks some international exposure during the wilderness years of isolation - they beat the Boks 21-12 in Bloemfontein in 1980, with the great Hugo Porta scoring all their points, but they have never done so in the blue-and-white of Argentina

 

[PaarlBok]

This game to start in half an hour at Markooter field Stellenbosch

SA U20 Invitational XV: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Quinton Norris, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Kobus van Wyk, 11 Ruwellyn Isbell, 10 Harold Vorster, 9 Hlanhla Hlungwane, 8 Cobus Nel, 7 Leneve Dames, 6 Shaun Adendorf, 5 Marvin Orrie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Marzuq Maarman.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Henkus van Wyk, 19 Lungelo Chonco, 20 Rayn Smid, 21 Wian van der Walt, 22 TBC, 23 TBC.
Argentina Under-20: 15 Gonzalo Ruiz, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Joaquín Paz, 12 Juan Ignacio Brex, 11 Franco Cuaranta, 10 Sebastián Poet (captain), 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 8 Federico Aguiar, 7 Leandro Ramela, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Rodrigo Parad Heit, 4 Ladislao Uriburu, 3 Mariano Sánchez, 2 Germán Lefort, 1 Matías Sambrán
Replacements: 16 Santiago García Botta, 17 Santiago Iglesias, 18 Tomás Bruno, 19 Gaspar Oberti, 20 Lautaro Casado, 21 Rodolfo Ambrosio, 22 Juan Cappiello, 23 Germán Klubus
Date: Tuesday, April 17
Venue: Markötter Stadium, Stellenbosch
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: François Groenewald (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)

 

[Cave Dweller]

OK Boland is better!

CD I opened a Danie Craven thread when he turned 100 years. he sure played a huge role in Argentinias rugby.
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/co...n-100-years-long-live-the-craven-spirit.6174/

He send Izak van Heerden over to Argentinia to grow rugby

Supersport

Craven is such a wonderful person. He's thought are always towards rugby and nothing else. If the world had another few of them rugby would have been global almost competing with football. That game was in 82 btw. 1980 the games was in South America. I saw videos of the 82 Series and the Jaquars got hammered in the first two tests but Porta was the rugby version of Maradonna. That SA side were a great side as well narowly losing that series in NZ with being flour bombed and all. The true reflection of that game it should have been a draw which was a great reflection of that series and how great both those NZ and SA sides were.

Argentina A is now called the Jaquars where they former Jaquars are now the CONSUR XV. We had you guys in 2003 in Port Elizabeth and we were very unfortunate to lose that match. We outscored you guys in the try count and just a missed conversion which was in the end the difference between winning in losing.

Two years before the first ever Rugby World Cup we played New Zealand in a two test tour where both matches was played at Ferrocaril Oeste in Buenos Aires. The All Blacks won the first test 33-20 but we came back from an 18-9 halftime deficit to draw the match 21-21 in the second test. That man Hugo Porta scored all of Argentina´s points as well. We have beaten France 7 times in 9 matches and have won the last 4 games against them. I remember in the 2007 WC they labeled the game as France A vs France B but who was France B? We seem to lift our game tremendously playing France. We lost a series vs Scotland but then beat France who was the Six nations champion then France 41-13 in Buenos Aires in 2010.

We played the Lions in 2005 as well. It took place in May, outside of the mandatory releasing period for international matches. We were without a large number of international players. To complicate matters further the match took place on the same weekend as the 2004-2005 Heineken Cup Final. Who was in the Heineken Cup final? Stade Français and Toulouse. Both teams have many Pumas players such as: Borges, Corleto, Hasan, Hernández, Pichot and Roncero. but, because of when the match occured most clubs, in general simply refused to release Argentine players for the match. Argentina were without an estimated 26 players. Despite this, Los Pumas played very well and drew the match. NZ hammered them then afterwards with their best XV.

One match I will always remember was the game vs NZ in 2001 at the River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires. We lost 24-20 but the build up and the atmosphere in that game was something never experienced in Argentine rugby. There was a 78,000 strong crowd in and we were leading 20-17 going into added time only for Robertson to score that try with the last move of the match. Big Jonah scored one of his trademark tries in the first half where he steam rolled 3 players in that match as well. and Dougie Howlett had a shocker of a game. In 2006 we lost 26 - 19 to NZ where Todeschini had trouble with his footing on the surface and missed four penalties. At home we can compete with any team its just the away games that is bit of a concern. Altough the scoreline in the WC we did not play that bad what the score difference suggested in the end and we had a couple of injuries in key positions.
If anyone is interested in some full size wallpapers you can have a look at the link on the bottom. Some beautiful photos there of past Puma teams
http://www.uar.com.ar/fans/

 

[Cave Dweller]

This game to start in half an hour at Markooter field Stellenbosch

SA U20 Invitational XV: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Quinton Norris, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Kobus van Wyk, 11 Ruwellyn Isbell, 10 Harold Vorster, 9 Hlanhla Hlungwane, 8 Cobus Nel, 7 Leneve Dames, 6 Shaun Adendorf, 5 Marvin Orrie, 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 Marzuq Maarman.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Henkus van Wyk, 19 Lungelo Chonco, 20 Rayn Smid, 21 Wian van der Walt, 22 TBC, 23 TBC.
Argentina Under-20: 15 Gonzalo Ruiz, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Joaquín Paz, 12 Juan Ignacio Brex, 11 Franco Cuaranta, 10 Sebastián Poet (captain), 9 Felipe Ezcurra, 8 Federico Aguiar, 7 Leandro Ramela, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Rodrigo Parad Heit, 4 Ladislao Uriburu, 3 Mariano Sánchez, 2 Germán Lefort, 1 Matías Sambrán
Replacements: 16 Santiago García Botta, 17 Santiago Iglesias, 18 Tomás Bruno, 19 Gaspar Oberti, 20 Lautaro Casado, 21 Rodolfo Ambrosio, 22 Juan Cappiello, 23 Germán Klubus
Date: Tuesday, April 17
Venue: Markötter Stadium, Stellenbosch
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: François Groenewald (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa)

Look out for Sebastián Poet at no 10 there. Very good prospect for the future

 

[Cave Dweller]

Development Activity in Villa Carlos Paz

Continuing the program "From the High Performance Development," and this time the venue was the city of Villa Carlos Paz, on Monday April 9.

At the Carlos Paz Rugby Club Development Officer of the Central Region, Victor Luna, issued last Monday clinic "Getting to the ball, passing and receiving, and race," especially aimed at youth coaches and players of the host club.

This comprehensive clinical program of block 2 content developed by High Performance Areas and Development of the UAR, was developed theoretically with the coaches and then there was a practice with approximately 50 players of divisions U-15 to U-17 .

Moon said that "the activity was very productive, as both coaches in the practice of coaching as the players running skills proposals, could absorb the contents of the clinic."

The day at Carlos Paz Rugby Club was part of the training program called "From the High Performance Development," being conducted by the Game Development area of the Union Argentina de Rugby.

Development Activities in Comodoro Rivadavia

The past Friday and Saturday April 13,14 was a series of development activities in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, provided by UAR Development Officer, Sergio Abate, and coordinated by the Provincial Officer of the Southern Rugby Union, Raul Cifuentes .

The first day of activities, was held a discussion with team managers, club officers and directors of the URA. In it, it was the subject of the role of Sports Director and presented the various programs of the UAR.

In addition, the activities were scheduled to be performed during the year. It was attended by all the clubs in the Southern Union, except for Broken Rugby Club.

Commodore Rugby Club hosted the second day of activities, which were issued in blocks 1 and 2 of the Technical Contents Clinic, coordinated by Sergio Abate and Raul Cifuentes and coaches with great participation.

In the practical part of the players under 16 divisions and 18 clubs. Saturday's activities ended with a talk on nutrition led to players, developed by Dr. Marcelo Bolis.

 

[PaarlBok]

I'll never forget the Jaquars Boet, they provide us with international rugby when we played our own version of WC in the CC format.

So it look like you wont use Velez Sarsfield Stadium anymore. The last test we played there, your winger fall down that sloot and Jean de Villiers caught him with one hand. Thought that was one of the funnies I have ever saw on a test pitch.

I have my own PaarlPedia on this forum, my thoughts on the strength of the 1981 Bok.

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/community/threads/1981-springbok-tour-to-nz-30-years-old.9487/