Day of monumental announcements in Argentina

Today has been a day of monumental announcements in Argentina. Confirmed by the UAR is the uniforms to be worn by Los Jaguares in Super Rugby, the first roster to play in the opening round of the competition in Bloemfontein, South Africa and the latest player to return home from Europe to join the franchise. Also coming through from a reliable source is that plans are underway for a second Argentine franchise.

Los Jaguares Uniform
Three weeks out from the start of Argentina’s participation in Super Rugby the team’s uniforms were officially unveiled. The two Jaguares Uniforms, displayed below, have intentionally been designed to differ from the Pumas home and away strips. Establishing the Los Jaguares brand is at the forefront of the UAR’s agenda.

As is the case with Argentina’s representative uniforms the Jaguares’ ones are provided by sponsors, Nike. The USA company’s logo appears on the top left as one of two sponsors on the shirts. The second is that of long-time UAR sponsor VISA. Also appearing on the uniform os the Jaguares’ emblem on the top right side of the shirt.

Of the two shirts the black one is to be the official home uniform leaving there orange shirt as the alternative, away strip.

Roster Named for South Africa
Raúl Pérez’s first roster has been named. The Head Coach has announced a 34-man squad to travel to South Africa to play warm-up matches against the Stormers and Lions before the debut against the Cheetahs on Friday February 26.

Missing is Juan Martín Hernández who, having suffered a knee injury, has been out of action in recent days. Although the injury is not serious Hernández will remain in Buenos Aires to be monitored. With medical clearance he will join the team in time for the opening Super Rugby fixture.

Also missing through injury are winger Manuel Montero and second-rower Juan Cruz Guillemáin. Their respective knee and shoulder injuries are yet to be cleared for their return to full involvement with the squad.

Six players who will face the USA tomorrow in Houston, Texas, in the Americas Rugby Championship, have been included.  Cristian Bartolini, Gonzalo Bertranou, Tomás Carrió, Ignacio Larrague and Felipe Arregui are all to have the opportunities as will Felipe Ezcurra.

Santiago Iglesias Váldez  is another, who comes in for Facundo Bosch as the third choice hooker. Bosch is to be out of action for a lengthily period after having fractures his hand in training with the Argentina XV. Iglesias Váldez will start at hooker in Houston this weekend.

1	Santiago García Botta	Loosehead Prop
2	Lucas Noguera Paz	Loosehead Prop
3	Agustín Creevy	Hooker
4	Santiago Iglesias Váldez	Hooker
5	Julián Montoya	Hooker
6	Felipe Arregui	Tighthead Prop
7	Cristian Bartolini	Tighthead Prop
8	Ramiro Herrera	Tighthead Prop
9	Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro	Tighthead Prop
10	Matías Alemanno	Second-row
11	Ignacio Larrague	Second-row
12	Tomás Lavanini	Second-row
13	Guido Petti Pagadizábal	Second-row
14	Rodrigo Báez	Back-row
15	Tomás Lezana	Back-row
16	Pablo Matera	Back-row
17	Javier Desio Ortega	Back-row
18	Facundo Isa	Number 8
19	Juan Manuel Leguizamón	Number 8
20	Leonardo Senatore	Number 8
21	Gonzalo Bertranou	Scrum half
22	Felipe Ezcurra	Scrum half
23	Martín Landajo	Scrum half
24	Santiago González Iglesias	Fly half
25	Nicolás Sánchez	Fly half
26	Gabriel Ascárate	Inside Center
27	Jerónimo De la Fuente	Inside Center
28	Matías Moroni	Outside Center
29	Matías Orlando	Outside Center
30	Tomás Carrió	Wing
31	Santiago Cordero	Wing
32	Emiliano Boffelli	Fullback
33	Ramiro Moyano	Fullback
34	Joaquín Tuculet	Fullback

New Signing
Not included on the 34-man roster but back in Argentina is Lucas González Amorosino. Having joined Munster as a medical joker following last year’s World Cup the outside back is now being afforded a brief vacation. With his brief stint in Ireland now over González Amorosino is now a Jaguar, having signed a two-year deal with the UAR.

Second Argentine Franchise
The strength of the Jaguares cannot be questioned, talent runs deep in all positions. It is a compete roster and one which has people talking. Australian rugby boss Bill Pulver is nervous that Los Jaguares can win the competition.  Meanwhile former Springboks center and current Stormers Head Coach Robbie Fleck feels the team is the biggest threat in the African conference.

Managing the players to ensure they achieve sufficient game time is part of the problem facing the management. Juggling Super Rugby with both Pumas Sevens and the Americas Rugby Championship is currently underway as a viable means of getting everyone onto the field.

In the long term, though, an alternative solution will be required and the UAR have indicated that they will be doing so. La Nación journalist Jorge Búsico has reiterated what has been circling ever since Los Jaguares were born – a second Argentine Super Rugby franchise.

In a piece for Uruguay’s Rugby News Búsico pointed out that thinking about a second Argentine franchise is an exercise that is to be underway within a few years. Exactly when a new team will be added is unknown and the UAR has been careful to focus on the Jaguares branding.