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Argentina’s baptism into Super Rugby has not gone well. Los Jaguares have won just two of the twelve matches played, an utter failure in terms of results but the big picture has been game time. It has been the pre-show with June being showtime for Argentina.
Super Rugby Exposure
Los Jaguares are not Los Pumas. This has been repeated continuously on social media by Argentine rugby authorities, players and journalists. They are not kidding either as there has not been steady selection throughout the season. There is no clear first choice starting lineup.
Rather than building a team to win the competition the philosophy has been to rotate players and give more opportunities to enable overall benefits for the big picture – Los Pumas. This is in stark contrast to the policy used by established sides. Tomás Cubelli, for instance, has started all but one game for the Brumbies, doing so surrounded by familiar players each week.
The difference in selection between the Brumbies and Los Jaguares has been staggering. Raúl Pérez has never fielded the same team for consecutive matches with the fewest alternations being three and the largest thirteen. On average Pérez has made 6.36 changes per match.
The travel schedule has played part as have injuries and suspension. Pérez has also freed-up players to Rugby Sevens duty. The combined effect is that Hourcade will have fresh legs for the June Internationals.
Hourcade will also be able to consider wider options with Pérez having given starts to many missing from the 31-man roster that El Huevo announced for Rugby World Cup 2015. Ten such names being Felipe Arregui, Rodrigo Báez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Emiliano Boffelli, Santiago García Botta, Tomás Lezana, Ramiro Moyano, Matías Orlando, Roberto Tejerizo and Segundo Tuculet.
Unavailable Players
Injury has long been an Achilles heel for Los Pumas. Back in 2009 Santiago Phelan was without the country’s three top fly halves. Based in Europe Juan Martín Hernández, Marcelo Bosch and Felipe Contepomi all missed the November Internationals due to injury.
With no option Phelan looked to the URBA Top 14, taking Santiago Fernández, Benjamin Urdapilleta and Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga with him to tour England, Wales and Scotland. Starting was the amateur combination of Fernández and Rodríguez Gurruchaga, the later securing a win in Edinburgh.
Similar instances have been all too familiar across other positions. That all changes now, at least in theory. Standing in the way are the suspensions of Ramiro Herrera, Tomás Lavanini and Leonardo Senatore.
Joining them on the unavailable list are four injured Jaguares – Rodrigo Báez, Emiliano Boffelli, Juan Cruz Guillemáin and Lucas Noguera Paz.
Look to Europe
The list increases when looking to Europe. The UAR has been clear – those playing their rugby in Europe are not to be considered for international duty. The stance has not been universally applied though with Javier Rojas and Juan Imhoff both playing for Los Pumas 7’s in May.
An official statement from UAR President Carlos Araujo on Radio Génesis AM 970 confirmed that Hourcade will not be cut-off from selecting his European based stars:
If, due to injury or questions of larger force, we cannot count on players to cover some positions, the inclusion of players such as Marcos Ayerza will not be denied.
Imhoff will not be playing against Italy or France in June. Instead he will be defending Racing 92 in the Top 14 play-offs. Juan Fernández Lobbe and Horacio Agulla are also out, albeit through retirement.
In addition to Ayerza Hourcade’s World Cup players who could potentially return are Marcelo Bosch, Juan Figallo, Mariano Galarza, Juan Pablo Orlandi and Juan Pablo Socino.
While all would add to the strength of the team some are more likely than others to get the nod. Galarza coming in for Lavanini and Cruz Guillemaín, Figallo for Herrera and Ayerza for Noguera Paz should be the three names read out by Hourcade in his June roster announcement expected today.
World Rankings
Shaping Hourcade’s thinking is Rugby World Cup 2019. On 82,59 points Argentina are ranked fifth in the world. Argentina want to rise not fall and to do this they must not lose to lower ranked opposition, of which France and Italy both qualify.
With Rugby Championship opponents Australia, New Zealand and South Africa occupying the top three it is mandatory that Argentina win their home internationals this month. Wins will boost Argentina’s ranking while losses will harm it.
A final chance will present itself in November when Los Pumas face England, Wales and Scotland in Europe. To ensure Argentina is ranked as high as possible Hourcade will take no chances vs the Italians or French.
