Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Having all exited Twickenham early Agustín Creevy, Juan Imhoff and Juan Martín Hernández are set to be officially confirmed as missing the Bronze Final against South Africa on Friday. Despite there yet to be an official word from UAR Doctor Guillermo Botta Americas Rugby News has learned than all are to be ruled out.
Creevy and Imhoff both left early, requiring replacing in the opening half with Julían Montoya and Lucas González Amorosino both on early. Hernández, meanwhile, also looked in trouble but survived until early in the second half with Jeronimo Del La Fuente replacing him.
The certainty of their non-availability for the Springboks is that all three have injuries requiring more than a week’s recovery. Creevy left with a torn hamstring, Imhoff suffered a head injury diagnosed as concussion and Hernández suffered a damaging blow to his ribs.
Daniel Hourcade will need to act quickly to replace these players. World Cup rules state that injury-enforced replacements must be with the squad for 48 hours before being eligible to play.
With them gone, Santiago González Iglesias having broken his rose against Namibia and Mariano Galarza missing through suspension Hourcade has 25 players for Friday’s international. A replacement hooker will be required without question. 22 year old Santiago González Valdez will, thus, almost surely be on a plane to join the team.
Without Imhoff Hourcade still has Santiago Cordero, Lucas González Amorosino and Horacio Agulla as specialist wingers while Matías Moroni and Joaquín Tuculet both offer cover. Gonzalo Camacho, nonetheless, is in England and could join the team readily.
The loss of Hernández is complicated by González Iglesias also not being fit. Both Jeronimo de La Fuente or Juan Pablo Socino have played 12 under Hourcade this year and are fit. A possible replacement, if required, could be Santiago Fernández who played for Pau vs Brive in the Top 14 on Saturday.
