Juan Pablo Socino - Future Puma?

Socino with ball in hand for Nottingham

A young Argentine player who looms as Puma in the making is Juan Pablo Socino. The 24 year old flyhalf / centre has been in the sights of the FIR with the Italian Rugby Union looking at him as a potential Italian international flyhalf. Such a move would follow on from Leandro Cedaro who last week confirmed he had said no to a possible place in the Pumas squad in place of an opportunity of representing Italy. Cedaro is to play for Italy A next month. In the case of Socino, the opposite has occured with the young Argentine player being named in the Los Jaguares squad for the IRB Nations Cup to be played in Romania in June.

Socino is ready to take the step up after having impressed in England´s second division, the RFU Championship for Rotherham and Nottingham. He was named at inside centre in the Dream Team of the current season as well as also being named in the Dream Team for the 2010-2011 season. Scouts have been paying attention to his progress with Rabo Direct Pro 12 side, , Treviso looking to secure his signature. Socino, however, turned down the offer to play for the Italian side as well as offers of staying in the RFU Championship and, in fact, cut short his contract with Nottingham by one season so that he could return to Argentina and focus on making his way into the senior squad.

His return to Argentina has seen him take up a contract with the UAR as one of the PladAR players. It means he will be at the full disposal of Santiago Phelan and his colleagues and has declared himself to his country. This will likely see him play for los Pampas XV in 2013. nd likel. He will play less now than he was in England and certainly less than he would in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 but his move to Argentina will see him have far greater chances of making Los Pumas and he could very well be utilized in The Rugby Championship. He would likely be used as an inside centre given the options avaliable to Phelan at flyhalf. Moreover, Felipe Contepomi will not play in The Rugby Championship which could well see Socino earn a spot depending on how he performs for Los Jaguares the IRB Nations Cup.

               A young Juan Pablo Socino

The Rugby Championship Players to Watch - Nicolás Vergallo

From Argentina´s third largest city, Rosario, Nicolás Vergallo is a no-nonsense scrumhalf. Standing at the short height of 1.7metres and weighing 77KG is not the ideal frame for an international rugby player but it has not stopped Vergallo´s rise to be Argentina´s leading player in his position. Now aged 28, Vergallo has been around Argentine rugby circles for quite some time and has gone on to be a professional player in France, wnning the 2011 French Championship. His style of play is very much to distribute ball to the backline and organize his forward pack and he excels at what he does. He has an accurate long pass and is also good at delivering box kicks - the essential skills of the position. While he is not known for a running game he has been seen darting into gaps and is not affraid of bigger players. This has enabled him to develop into a reliable player and one who will feature for Los Pumas in The Rugby Championship.

Vergallo for Dax

His international career has had its ups and down but in more recent times it has been of the positive form with Vergallo having a solid 2011 and performing to a high standard at Rugby World Cup 2011, where he started in all of Argentina´s matches. In total Vergallo has played 24 tests and has started in 21 as he has been Los Pumas´ prefered scrumhalf since the retired of Agustín Pichot after France 2007. Vergallo had been in the training squad for that tournament but was third choice behind Pichot and Nicolás Fernández Miranda. He nonetheless played both June tests in 2007 vs Ireland as Los Pumas collected two wins. He had made his debut two years earlier as a 22 year old in 2005 but it was 2008 that saw him get his real chance as he started all seven of Argentina´s tests and saw his life change as he signed a professional contract to play in the Top 14 for Dax. After two years with the club he upgraded to join Toulouse and is at the club on a long term contract. 

Tackle on Marc Andreu (France)

Since joining Toulouse Vergallo´ international career has improved as he has returned to being Los Pumas´ leading scrumhalf after playing only one test in 2009. Vergallo went from first choice to third behind Figuerola and Alfredo Lalanne in 2009. He was given a chance in 2010 vs France, however, and put in the best performance of his international career thus far as he organized his forwards superbly and gave his flyhalf, Felipe Contepomi, quality and quick ball. This saw him go on to start in all three of Argentina´s European tests in November 2010 and he took the chance to underline himself as the man to play scrumhalf for Argentina at New Zealand 2011. Vergallo had a solid World Cup, starting in all four pool matches as well as the Quarter Final vs the All Blacks.  

Vergallo for Toulouse vs Perpignan

Since New Zealand 2011, however, things have not been as positive for Vergallo. Toulouse have simply not known what to do with him due to the clubs new arrival, Australian Luke Burgess. The Wallaby has taken over as the clubs first choice number 9 with Jean-Marc Doussain also being preferred to the Puma. Since returnign to the club Vergallo has played in nine Top 14 matches with seven of the appearances being from the bench. He was avaliable for ten other rounds but was left out of the match day 23 entirely. Vergallo started 11 Top 14 matches for Toulouse last season and before that was Dax´s first choice scrumhalf for two seasons. It is not ideal for Pumas supporters and is worrying for Vergallo in particular as Agustín Figuerola of Brive received much more game time this season. Vergallo is also under pressure from both the Los Pampas XV scrumhalves, Tomás Cubelli and Martín Landajo who are both on full time UAR contracts and have been playing good rugby this year.

Vergallo, nonetheless remains Argentina´ first choice scrumhalf and his lack of game time this season at Toulouse could well work out in his favor as he will therefore have a greater chance of starting as Toulouse may well release him in time to play in all three of the June tests. While he has not been playing as often as anticipated he remains an important player for his country and should not be taken lightly. 

Week One: Juan Manuel Leguizamón

Week Two: Lucas González Amorosino

Week Three: Marcelo Bosch

Week Four: Agustín Creevy

Week Five: Juan Martín Hernández 
Week Six: Martín Bustos Moyano
Week Seven: Leonardo Senatore

Week Eight: Rodrigo Roncero
Week Nine: Gonzalo Camacho
Week Ten: Patricio Albacete
Week Eleven: Horacio Agulla
Week Twelve: Juan Figallo
Week Thirteen: Santiago Fernández
Week Fourteen: Tomás Cubelli 
Week Fifteen: Marcos Ayerza

Week Sixteen: Manuel Carizza

Week Seventeen: Nicolás Vergallo
Week Eighteen: Juan Imhoff

Chile 6-59 Argentina

Facundo Barrea scored a double

Argentina is South American Champion after having defeated Chile 59-6 in Santiago on Saturday. The win was Los Pumas´ third of the tournament having already defeated both Uruguay and Brazil in the first two rounds. Chile finished third after having defeated Brazil but having lost by a single point in an epic 27-26 point loss vs Los Teros on Wednesday. In winning, Argentina did so with a team that is far from what will face Tier One opposition this year with captain Leo Senatore being the only player to have played at Rugby World Cup 2011. He led the team in all three matches, playing a whopping three tests in just six days. 

The win saw Argentina scoring eight tries too zero with right winger Facundo Barrea and fullback Román Miralles both scoring two tries each while outside centre Santiago Craig, secondrower Benjamín Macome, replacement winger Manuel Montero and inside centre Matías Orlando all scored one try each. Valentín Cruz had a good day with the boot as he landed seven conversions.

Despite being an international match counting for IRB World Rankings and being considered exactly the same as a full strength game between France and England neither side could be said to be at full strength. Los Condores were close to it but was missing some players based abroad. Los Pumas, however, was a team made up entirely of Argentine based players. The South American Championship was used as a breeding ground for players with the future in mind. International caps were handed out to many from Los Pampas XV who would otherwise not play for their country.

Chile: 1 Luka Salamunic, 2 Sebastián Del Solar, 3 Sergio de la Fuente, 4 Nelson Calderón, 5 Salomón Diaz, 6 Rodrigo Tobar (Captain), 7 Rolando Pellerano, 8 Manuel Dagnino; 9 Alonso Oliver, 10 Benjamin Pizarro, 11 Iñaki Barturen, 12 Francisco De la Fuente, 13 Germán Herrera, 14 Francisco Neira, 15 Javier Valderrama.

Argentina: 1 Roberto Tejerizo, 2 Bruno Postiglioni, 3 Gastón Cortéz, 4 Santiago Guzmán, 5 Benjamín Macome, 6 Lisandro Ahualli de Chazal, 7 Rodrigo Bruno, 8 Leonardo Senatore (Captain), 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Valentín Cruz; 11 Diego Palma, 12 Matías Orlando, 13 Santiago Craig, 14 Facundo Barrea, 15 Román Miralles.

Argentina team to face Chile

Captain Leo Senatore

The third and final round of the 2012 CONSUR A Championship will be played today in Santiago del Chile with the hosts taking on Los Pumas. The Argentine coach, Daniel Hourcade has again rotated his side with elven changes to the team that defeated Brazil 111-0 on Wednesday. The captaincy will remain with Leonardo Senatore who is to play his third international match in six days after facing Uruguay on Sunday. He will be joined in the backrow by Roberto Bruno who was named in the Pumas squad for the June internationals.  Chile are coming off a 27-26 loss against Uruguay and need to defeat Argentina today to finish in second place. unless Brazil can help by defeating Los Teros. An Argentine win will see Los Pumas again win the South American Championship. 

Argentina

1 Roberto Tejerizo, 2 Bruno Postiglioni, 3 Gastón Cortéz, 4 Santiago Guzmàn, 5 Benjamín Macome, 6 Lisandro Ahualli de Chazal, 7 Rodrigo Bruno, 8 Leonardo Senatore (Captain), 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Valentín Cruz, 11 Diego Palma, 12 Matías Orlando, 13 Santiago Craig, 14 Facundo Barrea, 15 Román Miralles

Reserves: 16 Martín Garcia Veiga, 17 Germán Aráoz, 18 César Frutero, 19 Javier Ortega Desio, 20 Tomas Cubelli, 21 Javier Rojas, 22 Manuel Montero

Aviva Premiership Final Preview

The Champion of English rugby will be crowned today as the home of the RFU, Twickenham stages the 2012 Aviva Premiership Final to be contested by the Harlequins and the Leicester Tigers. Should the Quins be victorious it would be the first ever championship title for the London based side. While a win for the Tigers would see England´s most successful club continue to expand on its untouchable resume in English rugby. Leicester are nine time champions of England, three more than the nearest best clubs, Bath and the London Wasps who have both been champions six times. Leicester´s last championship victory came in 2010 while the club was defeated by Saracens in the 2011 final. 

Regardless of who wins, the Final will be a further illustration of the strength of Argentine rugby with Pumas players being present in both teams. The Harlequins will have a Pumas secondrower on the bench as Tomás Vallejos Cinalli looks to break into the squad for The Rugby Championship. The Leicester Tigers have two Pumas in the starting lineup with Horacio Agulla set to play his final match for the club. He will start on the right wing while Marcos Ayerza is to start at loosehead prop. Argentine-Italian tighthead prop, Martín Castrogiovanni has been named on the bench. 

Prediction: Leicester to win by 8 points. 

Top 14 Barrage Preview

Castres vs Montpellier

The Top 14 barrage will kick-off shortly with the first of two knock-out matches being taking place in France. Today´s match sees Castres play host to Montpellier in what is a rematch of last seasons barrage encounter in which Martín Bustos Moyano booted Montpellier into a first ever Top 14 Semi Final. Ther one time capped Argentine winger will start the match on the left wing, retaining the goalkicking duties and will be joined by four other Pumas with Juan Figallo starting at loosehead prop and Santiago Fernández at inside centre, just like they did 12 months ago. The trio will be joined by another Pumas forward and a back in the starting XV with Lucas González Amorosino playing fullback and Agustín Creevy playing hooker. The form of all five players has been impressive this season and all will feature for Los Pumas in The Rugby Championship. A sixth Argentine player, Maximilano Bustos is also on the Montpellier card, as a replacement. He is uncapped despite having been a part of the Argentine squad at New Zealand 2011. The opposition, Castres, do not have any Pumas but do have a South American with Uruguay´s Rodrigo Capó Ortega on the bench.

Toulon vs Racing Métro

The second barrage play-off match will be played on Saturday with Toulon playing host to Racing Métro. Both sides will have Pumas players with Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe starting at 8 for Toulon and to other Juan´s starting for the Paris based opposition. Pulling the strings at flyhalf will be Juan Martín Hernández who has been impvoing this season after a slow start and wil be joined by a player who 21 months ago was an unknown, Juan Imhoff. The young speedster will play on the left wing while former Pumas backrower, Alvaro Galindo has been named on the bench.

Argentina Squad for June

Santiago ´Tati´ Phelan

The UAR´s announcement of the first senior squad for 2012 took place yesterday afternoon. It was highlighted by the inclusion of the veteran pair of loosehead prop Rodrigo Roncero and flyhalf and captain Felipe Contepomi, veterans of four Rugby World Cup´s. Both players are not going to be playing for their country after 2012. Their selection, however, was more about experience than anything else as Santiago Phelan named a squad than can be described as nothing other than under strength. Phelan has rested World Cup players with Contepomi and Roncero only being joined by Julio Farías Cabello, Genaro Fessia, Agustín Gozio and Leonardo Senatore to give Los Pumas just six players from the squad that competed at Rugby World Cup 2011.
     
In place of the European professionals, Phelan has taken the bold step of naming 16 players from Los Pampas XV. No players from the play-offs of the Top 14 and the Aviva Premiership have been included which would appear to reflect the negotiations between the UAR and European clubs to not over play players. It also creates a problem, however, with players participating in The Rugby Championship sseemingly entering the international season without playing other tests. Martín Bustos Moyano, for instance remains a strong contender to be Argentina´s starting winger despite only having ever played one international four years ago. While he has been let out due to the Top 14 barrage, Phelan has gone for Top 14 players from Agen, Biarritz, Brive and Stade Français as well as Aviva Premiership players from Exeter, the Harlequins and Sale. The most notable inclusion being Ignacio Mieres who had a tremendous season at flyhalf for Exeter seeing the club qualify for the 2012-2013 Heineken Cup. He now looks set to form a 10-12 combination with Felipe Contepomi and is likely to also be the goalkicker. The pair are likely to be backed up by Benjamin Urdapilleta who played in the centre for the Harlequins over the past two seasons.

But, not all players from outside the leading Top 14 sides have been selected. While Contepomi is in there is no Marcelo Bosch or Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga with the World Cup pair both being rested ahead of The Rugby Championship. Neither Biarritz not Stade Français will compete in the Top 14 play-offs which suggests firmly that the June internationals should indeed be the end of the road for Contepomi who is set to pass the torch. Of course, Phelan could very well make changes during June to field an entirely different team for the French tests. However, neither Italy nor France will be at full strength, suggesting that the squad Phelan has named is actually not as weak as it may appear to be. To the contrary, the June tests are going to be far from what they could be.

Curiously there is no place in the squad for Brive scrumhalf Agustín Figuerola, Bordeaux winger Rafael Carballo or Agen centre Miguel Avramovic. The non-selection of these players appears to suggest that their international careers are over with Phelan opting to give high-performance players a chance to shine with the impressive Tomás Cubelli likely to be the starting scrumhalf and both Gabriel Ascárate and Matías Orlando picked ahead of Avramovic. The make up of the squad also suggests that Los Pampas XV captain, Julio Farías Cabello is now considered a secondrower rather than a backrower. He should start in the number 4 shirt. 

Suggested XV to face Italy:
15 Joaquín Tuculet
14 Belisario Agulla
13 Agustín Gozio
12 Felipe Contepomi
11 Manuel Montero
10 Ignacio Mieres
9 Tomás Cubelli
8 Leonardo Senatore
7 Tomás de la Vega
6 Tomás Leonardi
5 Santiago Guzmán
4 Julio Farías Cabello
3 Francisco Gómez Kodela
2 Andrés Bordoy
1 Rodrigo Roncero

Bench: 16 Bruno Postiglioni, 17 Francisco Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18 Rodrigo Baez, 19 Genaro Fessia, 20 Martín Landajo, 21 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 22 Gabriel Ascárate

The clash vs Italy will take place in San Juan on Saturday June 09 and will  be followed by two matches against France on the two subsequent Saturday´s. The first taking place in Córdoba and the second in Tucumán. 

29 Man Pumas Squad

Belisario Agulla (Agen, France)
Gabriel Ascárate (Los Pampas XV)
Rodrigo Báez (Los Pampas XV)
Facundo Barrea (Los Pampas XV)
Andrés Bordoy (Pau, France)
Rodrigo Bruno (Los Pampas XV)
Felipe Contepomi (Stade Français, France)
Tomás Cubelli (Los Pampas XV)

Tomás de la Vega (Los Pampas XV)
Julio Farías Cabello (Los Pampas XV)
Genaro Fessia (Los Pampas XV)
Francisco Gómez Kodela (Biarritz, France)
Agustín Gozio (London Scottish, England)
Eusebio Guiñazú (Biarritz, France)

Santiago Guzmán (Los Pampas XV)

Pablo Henn (Brive, France)

Martín Landajo (Los Pampas XV)

Tomás Leonardi (Los Pampas XV)

Benjamin Macome (Los Pampas XV)

Ignacio Mieres (Exeter Chiefs, England)

Román Miralles (Los Pampas XV)

Manuel Montero (Los Pampas XV)

Matías Orlando (Los Pampas XV)

Bruno Postiglioni (Los Pampas XV)

Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Français, France)

Leonardo Senatore (Los Pampas XV)

Francisco Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Stade Français, France)

Joaquín Tuculet (Sale Sharks, England)
 Benjamin Urdapilleta  (Harlequins, England)

Los Jaguares Squad for IRB Nations Cup

Juan Pablo Socino named in squad

Argentina´s A side, known as Los Jaguares, has been confirmed for the upcoming IRB Nations Cup to be played in Bucharest, Romania between June 8 and June 17. The tournament is a strategic part of the IRB´s development of global rugby and sees Los Jaguares and Italy A compete alongside four test teams - Portugal, Russia, Uruguay and hosts Romania. Of the four Romania is officially a Second Tier rugby nation while the three others are considered to be developing and all have the potential to be included in the Second Tier. All have played in Rugby World Cup´s and two of the four are expected to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2015. 

The 26 man squad consists of players considered to be fringe players for Los Pumas but players who will not feature for the senior side in the June internationals. The vast majority of players are Argentine based with twelve players having played in the this seasons Vodacom Cup. Three players were playing for European clubs with the most interesting selection being that of Juan Pablo Socino who was named in the RFU Championship´s Dream Team as inside centre. Socino has returned to Argentina after requesting to be released from his contract with Nottingham in England´s second division. He had offers to play for other teams, most interestingly, Treviso in Italy. A move to Treviso was a part of the FIR looking to make use of Socino in the Italian national side for the teams troublesome position of flyhalf. Socino´s selection means he will now not ever be elligible to play for Italy. 

Los Jaguares are grouped with Portugal, Romania and Russia with the teams first match being against the Portuguese on June 08. The team will be targetting winning the tournament after having lost two matches last season against Portugal and Georgia. The champions in 2011 were the South African Kings while Georgia finished second and Los Jaguares were third. The Los Jaguares team is coached by Los Pampas XV headcoach Daniel Hourcade and assisted by Emiliano Bergamaschi. Los Jaguares Squad

1-Lisandro Ahualli de Chazal (Universitario-Tucumán)

2-Felipe Aranguren (CUBA-URBA)

3-Nicolás Azorin (Liceo Naval-URBA)

4-Nicolás Basile (Aurillac, France)

5-Marcos Bollini (Club Newman-URBA)

6-Martín Chiappesoni (Atlético del Rosario-URBA)

7-Matías Cortese (Gloucester, England)

8-Jerónimo De la Fuente (Duendes RC-Rosario)

9-Ezequiel Faralle (Huirapuca-Tucumán)

10-César Fruttero (Jockey Club de Villa María-Cordobesa)

11-Martín García Veiga (Buenos Aires C y RC-URBA)

12-Juan Gómez (Los Matreros-URBA)

13-Lisandro Gómez López (La Tablada-Cordobesa)

14-Santiago González Iglesias (Associación Alumni-URBA)

15-Fernando Luna (Córdoba Athletic-Cordobesa)

16-Benjamín Madero (San Isidro Club-URBA)

17-Matías Masera (Belgrano Athletic-URBA)

18-Santiago Méndez (San Isidro Club-URBA)

19-Ramiro Moyano (Lince RC-Tucumán)

20-Javier Ortega Desio (San Isidro Club-URBA)

21-Ignacio Pasman (Club Champagnat-URBA)

22-Francisco Piccinini (San Isidro Club-URBA)

23-Lucas Ponce (CUBA-URBA)

24-Javier Rojas (Universitario-Tucumán)

25-Juan Pablo Socino (Nottingham, England)

26-Roberto Tejerizo (Tucumán Lawn Tennis-Tucumán)

Argentina 111-0 Brazil

Brasil reflects on loss (portalderugby)

Eighteen years after the previous clash between Argentina and Brazil Los Pumas completed a massive win over their soccer rivals. The result was never in doubt as it was a clash between two contrasting rugby experiences. In Argentina the players start at a young age and there is an excellent infrastructure for the development of players. The result is clear as Argentina are a Tier One side and others need to replicate Argentina if they are to ever challenge Los Pumas. Argentina has players who started at a young age while in Brazil many only start playing after highschool. The CBRu appreciate this and are actively trying to change this by making it compluslosry for clubs in some regions to have junior teams or not be allowed to play in senior level competitions. 

In defeating Brazil, Argentina scored 17 tries and landing 13 conversions. Of the try scorers two players are strong contenders to play for Los Pumas this year in the June internationals vs Italy and / or France. Los Pampas XV winger, Manuel Montero scored a hatrick while scrumhalf  Tomás Cubelli scored a double. 

Argentina will face hosts, Chile on Saturday while Brazil will face Uruguay. Brazil now need to defeat Uruguay to avoid finishing bottom of the table while Argentina face Chile also on Saturday. The complaints made by teams at Rugby World Cup 2011 over the short turn-arounds were big news with Samoa, in particular, voicinig opposition to the four day gap between facing Namibia and Wales. Perhaps the players should spare a thought for the players in the South American Championship with Brazil facing two superior teams in the form of Chile and Argentina just three days apart.

Argentina lose Leandro Cedaro to Italy

Cedaro in the Pro d2 for Mont de Marsan

A promising young Argentine player has been lost to Italy. In an interview with Argentine site scrum, 25 year old Leandro Cedaro said he had taken an offer from Italy to train with the side and will make his debut, playing for Italy A in next months IRB Nations Cup in Romania. Cedaro had also been in the sights of Santiago Phelan with the Pumas coach having been in contact with him this season. There even exists a chance for Cedaro to play against Argentina in June with Los Pumas taking on Italy in San Juan. His decision to play for Italy rather than his own country is likely to see him stand a better chance of playing against top opposition and continues the tradition of potential Pumas being snapped up by Italy. Cedaro has played over 50 games of rugby in France´s Pro d2 and will be staying there next season after signing for La Rochelle who lost a Semi Final vs Pau this past weekend.

Argentina has depth in the secondrow with Agen´s new signing, Esteban Lozada left out of the World Cup squad. Cedaro would, indeed, have it tough to earn a place in Argentina´s test team with the likes of Patricio Albacete, Manuel Carizza, Julio Farías Cabello and Tomás Vallejos Cinalli to feature in the Pumas secondrow this season. Italy, in contrast, are not so well served right now in the position with a player from Mogliano, Marco Fuser, (not part of the Rabo Direct Pro 12) being in the senior squad.

Argentina makes nine changes to take on Brazil

Tomás Cubelli to play scrumhalf vs Brazil

After just a three day turn-around both the second round of the 2012 South American Championship will be played tomorrow, Wednesday in Santiago, Chile. The tournament favorites, Argentina, got a good 40-5 win on Sunday againast Uruguay and is confidently going about its business with nine changes having been made to the team to face Brazil in the second round. The changes will see Ignacio Sáenz Lancuba, Germán Aráoz, César Fruttero, Nicolás Azzorin, Rodrigo Bruno, Tomás Cubelli, Stéfano Ambrosio, Santiago Craig and Facundo Barrea all starting. The team will be led again by Leonardo Senatore who is the only player to have played professional rugby this season.

The match is to be the first between the die-hard soccer rivals in almost twenty years as the last time Argentina faced Brazil in test rugby was back in 1993. On that occassion Argentina won the match 114-3. The result is not expected to be so one sided this time around, however, but if Brazil can restrict Los Pumas to a difference of 50 points it will be a significant achievement. The closest match in history between the teams saw Argentina winning 30-8 in São Paulo in 1964. Argentina has won all eleven matches between the sides.

Argentina

1 Ignacio Sáenz Lancuba

2 Martín García Veiga

3 Germán Aráoz

4 César Fruttero

5 Nicolás Azzorin

6 Javier Ortega Desio

7 Rodrigo Bruno

8 Leonardo Senatore (Captain)

9 Tomás Cubelli

10 Stéfano Ambrosio

11 Manuel Montero

12 Javier Rojas

13 Santiago Craig

14 Facundo Barrea

15 Ramiro Moyano

Reserves: 16 Roberto Tejerizo, 17 Bruno Postiglioni, 18 Santiago Guzmán, 19 Benjamín Macome, 20 Martín Landajo, 21 Valentín Cruz, 22 Matías Orlando.

Brazil is yet to confirm its lineup for the match.

The Rugby Championship Players to Watch - Manuel Carizza

27 year old secondrower Manuel Carizza has been around for a long time. So much so that he is one of only a few Pumas to have faced South Africa previously and to have played a test match in Mendoza, the same city that will host the Springboks in The Rugby Championship. He made his debut eight years ago and has played 23 tests, starting 16 of them and having made the Pumas number 4 shirt his own in recent times. He has become increasingly visible on the field in recent times with hard hitting tackles, solid scrumaging and ball carrying skills and has been used as the primary jumper at the front of the lineout. With a height of over 2 metres and weighing over 115KG Carizza has the build to match the skills necessary for international rugby.

Carizza for Biarritz

Carizza made his international debut in 2004 vs the Springboks in Buenos Aires. The test was played outside of the June / November international windows which meant professional players were not released by their clubs. His second test came in April 2005 vs Japan, again it was a match in which clubs were not obliged to release players. He was a replacement in the history making 25-25 draw with the Lions in Cardiff and then played in all three tests in November - vs South Africa, Scotland and Italy from the bench. Carizza was pushing hard to be Argentina´s fourth choice secondrower for Rugby World Cup 2007 to make up the squad. Patricio Albacete, Rimas Alvarez Kairelis and Carlos Ignacio Fernández Lobbe were certainties and Carizza was in competition with Esteban Lozada and Pablo Bouza. Carizza played three tests in 2006, facing Chile, Uruguay and Wales,  but was not picked for the November tour with coach Marcello Lofreda opting to give Esteban Lozada his debut, joining the three big name players. Lozada would go on to be Argentina´s fourth choice secondrower at Franbe 2007 despite Carizza starting vs Italy in Mendoza in June that year.

Carizza wins lineout ball vs England

Although Carizza was overlooked for Rugby World Cup 2007, he was developing greatly as a player in France. He had joined Biarritz in 2005. At the time the club was nothing short of a powerhouse, winning the French Championship in 2005 and 2006 as well as being the Heineken Cup runners-up in 2006. Biarritz next made the Heineken Cup Final in 2010 with Carizza being an important player for the club. The timing was ideal for Los Pumas as both Carlos Ignacio Fernández Lobbe and Rimas Alvarez Kairelis had retired from international duty despite still playing for Perpignan and Northampton. The year 2010 saw Carizza become Argentina´s first choice number 4 as he joined Albacete to form what is becoming a long term secondrow combination. They function very well together with Albacete being more of a loose player and Carizza more of a tight player. The combination worked well, going on to be used at Rugby World Cup 2011 and starting four of the five matches of the tournament. Carizza had a fine World Cup, getting through a high amount of work.

Carizza is a player bucking the historical trend of Los Pumas. At France 2007 Argentina´s 30 man squad had 26 players from Buenos Aires. At New Zealand 2011, however, the number was 18. Carizza was one of six players from Argentina´s third largest city, Rosario. The same city will host Argentina vs Australia in The Rugby Championship with Carizza likely to be the starting number 4. The pair could indeed still be the starting pair at Rugby World Cup 2015 considering the age and form of the two players. Together they ensure that Argentina has a solid and reliable secondrow in all areas of play. 

Week One: Juan Manuel Leguizamón

Week Two: Lucas González Amorosino

Week Three: Marcelo Bosch

Week Four: Agustín Creevy

Week Five: Juan Martín Hernández 
Week Six: Martín Bustos Moyano
Week Seven: Leonardo Senatore

Week Eight: Rodrigo Roncero
Week Nine: Gonzalo Camacho
Week Ten: Patricio Albacete
Week Eleven: Horacio Agulla
Week Twelve: Juan Figallo
Week Thirteen: Santiago Fernández
Week Fourteen: Tomás Cubelli 
Week Fifteen: Marcos Ayerza

Week Sixteen: Manuel Carizza

Week Seventeen: Nicolás Vergallo

Argentina is a Tier One Regional Model

Scotland 15-6 Georgia, RWC 2011
Close game yet a rare fixture

In rugby international competition is divided into three categories. Known as tiers they are used to establish a basis for present and future ability, setting a platform for sides to know where they lie and just how much work they need to do to advance to a superior tier and also not fall down to an inferior tier. The IRB World Rankings has ninety-six nations but the top two tiers account for only the top eighteen sides. Of the sides considered as being the Top Two Tiers all except Georgia have competed at every Rugby World Cup since it was expanded from sixteen to twenty teams in 1999. The First Tier consists of ten sides - Australia, Argentina, England, France, Ireland, Italy,  New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales. The same teams account for all places in the Six Nations Championship and The Rugby Championship. The Second Tier consists of eight sides - Canada, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Romania, Samoa, Tonga and the United States of America. In New Zealand 2011 these eighteen sides were joined by Namibia and Russia. As expected, no Tier Two side made the Quarter Finals of the tournament and neither Namibia nor Russia won a match which goes to show the tiers´ are a good reflection of the global rugby order. 

Despite the tiers not being geographically organized at all the IRB and Rugby World Cup Limited operate on a regional structure which in the case of  Namibia, for instance, has seen the African nation qualify for the past four World Cup´s, despite never having come close to winning a World Cup match. Namibia, a Tier Three nation, has been Africa´s best for the past twelve years but has only participated at World Cup´s due to Africa being given a direct qualifying spot. This controversy highlights the failures of the global rugby authorities to create a fair system for all in that African Tier Three sides have a massive advantage over all Tier Three nations from all other regions - Asia, Europe, Oceania and the Americas. While Namibia qualified after defeating no teams from Rugby World Cup 1999, 2003 or 2007 Russia qualified after defeating teams from each of these World Cup´s - Portugal, Romania and Spain. The Europeans happened to also have significantly higher placings in the IRB World Rankings than the sides Namibia played against. 

While Namibia has been the big winner in this, the biggest loser has been South America as it is the only continent which is not allocated World Cup qualification to the team which finishes first in qualification matches. The unjust system has the South American winner face the North American runner up with the winner of that qualifying for the World Cup as Americas 2. This ignores the Tier structure since North America has two sides from the second tier but South America doesn´t have any. Having Uruguay win the South American qualification series and then face Tier two sides while Namibia qualify automatically after only facing tier three sides is unjustifiable and simply odd. Seemingly, Uruguay´s two World Cup wins from seven matches has been entirely discredited. Curiously, the side that Uruguay defeated in Rugby World Cup 2003, Georgia, has gone on to now be a Tier Two side.

Chile vs Brazil, May 2012.
Argentina face both also in May 2012

Despite the IRB not doing good enough for the Americas, Argentina remains a regional leader. There is little to suggest that teams are closing the gap on Argentina. To the contrary, Los Pumas are a permanent tier one side that continues to match it against the best. Without its professional players, Argentina is still far too strong for the others in South America, as demonstrated yesterday with a 40-5 win over Uruguay. Such matches do little for Argentine rugby but are crucial to the growth of the likes of Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Argentina´s annual participation in the South American Championship (CONSUR A) gives potential Pumas of the future a chance but, more importantly, acts as a measuring stick for Argentina´s opponents, all of which are Tier Three rugby nations. Of the nine other Tier One sides no team plays in an annual  regional competition comparable to the South American Championship. There is no Oceania Cup involving Australia , New Zealand and the three Tier Two sides of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Nor is there an African Cup involving South Africa and other teams from the continent. Europe, similarly, has no competition featuring the Six Nations sides and the emerging nations. Last years World Cup saw Scotland defeating Georgia 15-6. The Tier One side failed to score a try. Yet there is no international competition between the sides at all and the match was, amazingly, the first ever between the two nations.

The reason for no regional competitions is not the differing abilities, if it were then World Cup´s would only feature Tier One sides. The First Tier simply have no interest in such matches taking place due to the financial costs involved. Aside from Argentina facing its South American counterparts in the CONSUR A tournament the only comparable example is Asia which has Japan (Tier Two) competiting in the Asian Five Nations which sees the Japanese face the next four best Asian sides - currently Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Japan is Asia´s only non-Tier Three rugby nation and has competed at every World Cup. When Japan host Rugby World Cup 2019 it will be representing Asia and Argentina stands out as a regional leader for similar reasons. The South American Championship is a key part of developing the global game and it further underlines what Argentina has to offer as a World Cup host.

Argentina 40-5 Uruguay

Los Pumas score vs Los Teros

Argentina has won its first test match of the year by defeating neighbours Uruguay by a scoreline of 40-5 at the CARR in Santiago del Chile earlier afternoon. The match was the first both both Los Pumas and Los Teros in the 2012 South American Championship, also known as the CONSUR A.Argentina won the contest by scoring six tries to one but have little time to celebrate as Argentina will take on Wednesday. Brazil are currently battling it out with the host nation of the 2012 event, Chile in the second of today´s two matches. The structure of the event is such that all four teams play their matches on the same days which means that Uruguay vs Chile will also be played on Wednesday. The match is likely to go far to determine who finished second in the tournament with Argentina likely to win its two remaining matches by bigger scores. 

Neither Argentina nor Uruguay were at full strength for their match today but Argentina were significantly depleted with no European professional players at all in the side. Former Toulon backrower, Leonardo Senatore was the only player to have played his rugby in Europe this season but he left to join Los Pampas XV for the teams final matches in the Vodacom Cup. Five of the six tries were scored by players from the Vodacom Cup with Ramiro Moyano scoring a double and a youngster who would very well make the senior Pumas squad, Manuel Montero, also getting a try. Uruguay´s try was scored by winger Santiago Arocena.

Upcoming Fixtures

Wednesday Argentina vs Brazil

Wednesday Chile vs Uruguay

Saturday Uruguay vs Brazil
Saturday Chile vs Argentina

Source: UARE

Leo Senatore to captain first Pumas test of 2012

Los Pumas World Cup backrower, Leo Senatore has been given the honor of captaining Argentina in its first test of the year as Los Pumas take on Uruguay in Santiago, Chile on Sunday. In what is to only be his fifth international appearance, the man from Rosario will lead a team packed with players from the Los Pampas XV side which reached the Quarter Finals of South Africa´s Vodacom Cup. Such is the experimentation of the squad that Senatore is the only player who played in last years Rugby World Cup to be in the team. Others to have played in New Zealand who are a part of Los Pampas XV have been rested and are not a part of the 26 man squad for the South American Championship in which Argentina will also face Brazil and Chile over the next week.

Having just turned 28, Senatore is a player to keep an eye on in 2012 as Argentina are to have three home tests in June followed by home and away fixtures vs Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in The Rugby Championship and then a three test tour to Europe in November. Senatore, having returned from a stint in the Top 14 with Toulon is widely expected to be in Argentina´s starting XV to face Tier One opposition. He is likely to join Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe and Juan Manuel Leguizamón in forming the first choice backrow. 

Besides Senatore the other players who could well play in the June internationals are winger Manuel Montero, scrumhalf Martín Landajo and secondrower Santiago Guzmán. replacements Bruno Postiglioni and Tomás Cubelli are also players to watch out for. 

Argentina

1- Roberto Tejerizo

2- Martín García Veiga

3- Gastón Cortéz

4- Santiago Guzmán

5- Benjamín Macome

6- Lisandro Ahualli de Chazal

7- Javier Ortega Desio

8- Leonardo Senatore (captain)

9- Martín Landajo

10- Valentín Cruz

11- Manuel Montero

12- Javier Rojas

13- Matías Orlando

14- Diego Palma

15- Ramiro Moyano

Reserves:

16- Ignacio Saenz Lancuba

17- Bruno Postiglioni

18- César Fruttero

19- Nicolás Azzorin

20- Tomás Cubelli

21- Stéfano Ambrosio

22- Facundo Barrea

Adios y Gracias Martín Scelzo!

The playing career of Pumas veteram prop, Martín Scelzo has reached its conclusion. The 126KG tighthead prop is nothing less than a rugby legend having competed at four Rugby World Cup´s and contributing massively to Argentina´s rise to becoming a Tier One rugby nation and World Cup contender. His international career stretches a decade and a half as he played his first international match back in September 1996 vs the USA and played his last in October 2011 vs New Zealand in the World Cup Quarter Final. Scelzo played a total of 59 tests and was at his peak in France 2007 when he created global headlines for his performances as part of the Bronze Medal team that defeated France, Georgia, Namibia, Ireland and Scotland to shake up the global rugby order and change it for the better. At the tournament, Scelzo was Argentina´s starting tighthead prop, holding off Omar Hasan who would go on to be voted as the greatest tighthead prop in the history of the Rugby World Cup.

Scelzo leaves O´Driscoll  behind
(see video below)

Regarded as a complete player, Scelzo was commonly seen clearing out rucks and bullying opposition scrums whether it be for club of country. He was also a quality ball carrier and was regarded as being amongst the best tighthead props on the planet. Scelzo was also a very humble guy who played for his teammates and put everything he could into playing for Los Pumas. He formed a formidable combination with Mario Ledesma for both Clermont and Argentina with the pair joining Rodrigo Roncero to be considered the best frontrow of Rugby World Cup 2007. Four years latter Scelzo, as a 35 year old, was still good enough to make the squad and was used as Argentina´s replacement prop with Juan Figallo joining Ledesma and Roncero as tghe starting frontrow combination. Scelzo proved to still have it in him as he put in a strong performance in Argentina´s do-or-die win over Scotland in Wellington. Scelzo came on as a firsthalf replacement for Roncero. In his international career, Scelzo scored ten test tries, a very high number for a prop forward. His final try came in 2011 vs Wales in a World Cup warm up match. 


Scelzo played professional rugby at the highest level in Europe winning the Heineken Cup with the Northampton Saints in 2000 and the Top 14 with Clermont a decade on in the year 2010. He has opted to stop now despite still having one year remaining on his contract with Agen with whnm he played 15 matches this season. Scelzo leaves rugby aged 36 but is not returning to Argentina just yet. He may take up a coaching position with a espoirs Top 14 side. He is a father of four.

Agulla Try with Scelzo running over Brian O´Driscoll, 2007

Argentine National Anthem - Rugby World Cup 2007

Top 14 Final, 2010

Final Try vs Wales, 2011

Horacio Agulla to play 13 for Los Pumas?

With the June internationals fast approaching the Pumas outside centre position is one that is far from being resolved. Just who will play in the 13 shirt remains uncertain due to the long season that started with Rugby World Cup 2011, Argentina´s rumour of experimenting in June and the performances of players in contention for the spot. There would appear to be three players in contention - Marcelo Bosch, Gonzalo Tiesi and Horacio Agulla. All three went to the World Cup but only one is a specialist in the position. Other contenders for the position do exist, such as Agustín Gozio and Manuel Montero, but none have the same credentials and would be a long shot to start in The Rugby Championship. 

Tiesi scores vs Scotland in 2010

It would appear that the chances of Gonzalo Tiesi returning to be Argentina´s first choice outside centre are slim due to the performances of Bosch and Agulla. Having recovered from knee surgery suffered in the first World Cup match, Tiesi returned to play an Amlin Challenge Cup match for Stade Français only to miss the rest of the season, requiring shoulder reconstruction surgery. He may not have been playing rugby this seson but he remains under the close watch of Pumas coach, Santiago Phelan. Tiesi is currently in Pensacola, Florida, USA in preperation for the international season. Phelan. The UAR is investing in his recuperation to see that he can be fit and ready.

Tiesi was a good performer for Argentina in 2010 and 2011 but has now been released from Stade Français due to his injury complications and his future is unknown. His two years in Paris have not been his best as injury has severely limited his game time. While at the Harlequins from 2008-2010 he was in good form which attracted offers from teams such as Stade Français. He joined London Irish three years before joining the Harlequins and became Argentina´s leading outside centre while in England. Now, however, it would appear that it is better for him to return to the Pumas 13 shirt only when he is 100% fit. He has also not got sufficient game time under his belt to start tests in June.

Bosch vs New Zealand RWC2011

Marcelo Bosch has again been playing Top 14 and Heineken Cup rugby this season in the 13 shirt for Biarritz but the position continues to not be considered his actual position. Bosch replaced Tiesi in the first World Cup match and went on to have a solid World Cup for Los Pumas. This season he has played 14 Top 14 matches, starting in eleven of these matches and doing so in three different positions. Six of these matches had Bosch starting at outside centre, two at fullback and three times he started in his natural position of flyhalf. He was also moved about in Heineken Cup matches this season due to the clubs problems which had the team at rock bottom and facing the reality of being relgated to the Pro d2.

Bosch´s form for Biarritz  has been steady despite the clubs problems and his moving about in the team. While not ideal, Bosch has been playing good rugby and is certain to be named in Santiago Phelan´s squad for the June internationals vs Italy and France. He should be the frontrunner for the Pumas 13 shirt this season but he needs a deputy and the time to find this out is not in The Rugby Championship but sooner. Santiago Phelan needs to use the June tests to be clear on who, aside from Bosch, can play 13 if Tiesi´s recovering continues to be slow. Moreover, In June Bosch could very well well also be played in flyhalf, inside centre or fullback. 

Agulla vs England, RWC2011

Horacio Agulla is a winger who has been used at fullback for Argentina in the past and has, despite not wearing the 13 shirt, been used in the position at times during tests. The former Hindu winger has been in the form of his life this season playing for the Leicester Tigers. Agulla has been the teams first choice right winger, scoring seven tries and assisting in creating others. He was awarded try of the season by the club and also player of the season. He was also named in the Aviva Premiership Dream XV of the season. His form is, without question, top shelf and he will start for his country. But given the uncertain nature of Gonazlo Tiesi perhaps Phelan ought to try Agulla in the 13 shirt. Curiously, with Manu Tuilagi unavaliable after the World Cup, Agulla played vs the Sale Sharks and London Irish at outside centre for Leicester. This means he has played more rugby this season in the position than Tiesi. More importantly, however, it means he has been judged by the best English club as being an adequate option for the position and he indeed should be tested in the upcoming tests vs Italy and France.

Agulla was moved to 15 in 2009 to replace Bernardo Stortoni who had taken over from Ignacio Corleto after France 2007. Agulla proved to be a good performer in the position and traded between fullback and centre with new comer Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga in the November tour of Europe. He also played at outside centre following the loss of both Tiesi and Felipe Contepomi vs England at Rugby World Cup 2011. Agulla has the skills to be a test 13 and, right now, appears to be the perfect opportunity to test him out in this postion given Argentina´s current strong supply of wingers. Argentina has five players who have been performing very well this season in Europe.  Of the five Lucas González Amorosino looks certain to move to be Argentina´s starting fullback while Juan Imhoff, Gonzalo Camacho and Martín Bustos Moyano looking like filling the two wing spots. The fifth player, Agulla, could keep his player on the wing or he could be moved infield one place to outside centre which would fill the void of the position as well as ensure that as many of Argentina´s form players as possible are all on the park. It could well be where his future lies after having played two World Cup´s as Los Pumas´ left winger and now looming as being a senior player who could have a greater impact on play from the midfield. With Rugby World Cup 2015 in mind a move to the 13 shirt could well be very shrewed. 

Esteban Lozada joins Agen on two year deal

As pointed out previously on Argentina2023, former Pumas secondrower Esteban Lozada will be playing his rugby in France next season following the end of his two year contract with Edinburgh. While playing in Scotland, Lozada fell out of favor with Pumas selectors despite making 34 appearances for Edinburgh in Celtic-Italian League (Rabo Direct Pro 12) and Heineken Cup matches. Lozada now has the chance to play his way back into Los Pumas playing for his new club, Agen. His contract with the Southwestern French club is for two years and marks a return to the Top 14 after he had previously played for Toulon from 2007-2010.

His return to France comes on the back of his performances vs Top 14 side Racing Métro in the Heineken Cup in which the Scottish side defeated the Parisians both home and away. Talks with Agen started in January with the club liking what they saw from the former Puma. Now aged 30, Lozada, it would seem, has one final chance of representing his country as Argentina are set to play a record twelve tests in 2012. Should he not return it would be a tough road making the squad considering 2013 will officially be the start of preperation for Rugby World Cup 2015. He is the same age as Argentina´s leading secondrwoer, Patricio Albacete, and older than the three others who went to Rugby World Cup 2011.

Brazil ready to impress at 2012 South American Championship

Brazil Tupis - new name for the national mens team

Ranked fourth in South American but making significant progress, Brazil is a team with its eye on the future. The governing body of Brazilian rugby, the CBRu has invested significant resources into making sure the national mens team can make as big of an impact as possible. Changes have been made both on and off the field with the team now having an official mascot the Tupis, which was selected as the new emblem to give Brazil a nickname similar to Argentina being Los Pumas, Chile Los Condores and Uruguay Los Teros. The governing body ash also seen sweeping changes in player preperation with former Crusaders and All Blacks international backrower, Scott Robinson taking over as the headcoach and being assisted by Brent Frew. Former Crusaders centre and Fijian international, Tabai Matson has also been involved in preparing the players for the South American Championship. 

The Brazilian team will flyout to Santiago on Thursday. Robertson is to take a squad combining new and experienced international players with the goal being to return home with not only strong performances but also a win. The tournament is to involve the top four from South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay) who will all face each other. It is known as the Sudamericano Mayor A in Spanish. 

Head Coach: Scott Robertson

Assistant Coach: Brent Frew

Brazil Squad
Carlos Oliveira, Daniel Danelewicz, Danilo Lima, Diego Lopez, Jardel Vettorato, Jardel de Mendonça, João Luiz da Ros, Lucas Ceccarelli, Lucas Pierro, Maurício Costa, Pedro Manzini, Ramiro Mina, Thiago Perovic, Allan Martins, André Silva, Daniel Gregg, Felipe Claro, Gustavo Krahembuhl, João Neto, Júlio de Mendonça, Leandro Castiglioni, Martín Schaefer, Matheus Daniel, Matheus Silva, Moisés Duque, Paulo Santos