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Just days after being involved in the Olympic Games Qualifiers, Javier Rojas has been confirmed as leaving the country to play professional rugby in France. With Bruno Postiglioni also leaving it means a second Puma is leaving Argentina behind to play in Europe next season.
Their decisions are the opposite of captain Agustín Creevy and established Pumas including Joaqúin Tuculet, Tomás Lavanini, Francisco Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Nicolás Sánchez, who are returning to play Super Rugby after having played abroad. Unlike these players both Postiglioni and Javier are outside of the top two in their respective positions.
Capped five times by Argentina since 2012, Rojas has been on the fringes as an inside centre who offers utility value covering fly half. He was an integral part of the Pampas XV side that won the World Rugby Pacific Challenge earlier this year in Fiji but has not been offered a Super Rugby contract with the UAR despite rivals in his position including, Gabriel Ascárate, Jerónimo De la Fuente and Santiago González Iglesias, all having signed.
Argentina’s new selection policy will come into effect after the World Cup, at which time those based abroad will not be considered for international duty. Despite the circumstances Rojas’ test career cannot be said to have closed. Aged 24, Rojas will play under former Puma Mauricio Reggiardo at Albi in the Pro D2.
