Three Promising Jaguares

As a team Los Jaguares have not been an on-field success to date. With one win and four losses thus far the team has a long way to go to reach the required heights to be in with a chance of winning a Super Rugby title.

The purpose of the team, though, has been a success. Argentina’s Super Rugby franchise was set up with the long-term sustainability of Los Pumas as the target. Having athletes under central contracts would mean an end to the complications of acquiring the release of players for international duty.

A professional team would also enable a great profit for the union, thereby expanding upon the domestic game permanently. The hot topic of discussing surrounding the addition of a second Argentine Super Rugby franchise will be addressed sooner rather than later depending on the books.

In the inaugural season there have been opportunities for players young and old, established and emerging. Three promising Jaguares to have put up their hands for international selection this year are Felipe Arregui, Gonzalo Bertranou, and Emiliano Boffelli.

The trio are all young and seen as potential long-term options for Rugby World Cup 2019. Their recent performances, however, have given rise to speculation that any of them could be selected ahead of players that Daniel Hourcade used at the World Cup.

Felipe Arregui – Tighthead Prop

Injuries to Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Ramiro Herrera saw Arregui thrust into the starting in the pivotal tighthead prop position against the Stormers. The 21-year-old from Rosario performed admirably, proving himself to be a genuine prospect.

Arregui was tested beforehand for the Argentina XV in the Americas Rugby Championship. The importance of the competition for Argentina was clear as he was able to participate at a level between club and the professional demands of Super Rugby.

Importantly, he plays in a position in which Los Jaguares are not only being stretched but also on in which strong players remain abroad. Top 14 regulars Francisco Gómez Kodela, Lucas Martínez, and Juan Pablo Orlandi are all off-limits for both Los Jaguares and Los Pumas.

Further encouragement can be found in other props used to date. In addition to losing the top two tighthead props, Raúl Pérez has also been forced into playing without his leading loosehead prop, Lucas Noguera Paz. Of those used in his place Santiago García Botta has been the most effective.

Both García Botta and Arregui are long-term development options. The same is true of a third prop, Enrique Pieretto. The 21-year-old had a solid campaign with the Argentina XV and come through initial activity with Los Jaguares well.

Gonzalo Bertranou – Scrumhalf

Just one year older is Bertranou, a young scrumhalf to have won admiration when replacing Martín Landajo. Bertranou is five years younger than Landajo but it is not his age but flair which has caught the attention of viewers. The Mendoza scrumhalf got his opportunity in the Americas Rugby Championship and took it with both hands.

With Tomás Cubelli playing for the Brumbies, Bertranou has risen above Felipe Ezcurra. This has taken place despite Ezcurra having been the next in line under Hourcade throughout 2015 and even earlier. Instead it is Bertranou who could now not only be third but even ousting either Landajo or Cubelli from the Pumas come June.

Emiliano Boffelli – Wing

The third young player to have impressed significantly thus far is Boffelli. The 21-year-old utility back from Rosario has proven to be a genuine long-term prospect for Hourcade. He has been used as a winger so far but will inevitably make the transition to the centres.

Against the Blues, Boffelli was moved to fullback following the loss of Ramiro Moyano to injury. The position is one in which he is also more than adept at playing but with Los Jaguares having Santiago Cordero, Lucas González Amorosino, and Joaquín Tuculet in addition to Moyano, it is wing that looms for Boffelli as an international player for the time being.

Gone from Los Pumas are Horacio Agulla and Gonzalo Camacho while the involvement of Juan Imhoff remains clouded. The rise of Cordero in 2015 combined with the adaptability of González Amorosino and Matías Moroni on the one hand and injury to Manuel Montero on the other will see the losses minimized. Boffelli, though, is seriously pushing for a place in the side and is climbing the ladder at a quick rate.