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Gonzalo Tiesi has retired from rugby.the Argentine outside center made the announcement on twitter where he declared: “the end of this incredible voyage. I will always be thankful for what I have lived during these 12 years”.
Aged 31 the Buenos Aires enjoyed a successful career abroad. Playing in both the Aviva Premiership and Top 14, Tiesi played for London Irish, the Harlequins, Stade Français, London Welsh and the Newcastle Falcons.
He made the move to England while still aged just 20. So impressive was he in his youth that he debuted for Los Pumas against South Africa as a 19 year old. From there he was quickly snapped-up to play for London Irish. From there he arguably went on tho play his best club rugby for rivals, the Harlequins, whom he played for from 2008-2010.
The outside center also remained a regular in Los Pumas selections from 2004-2013. As such he played in two Rugby World Cups, scoring a try against Namibia in Marseilles in 2007. His 2011 campaign was ruined by injury. Having injured his knee in the opening match against England he would miss the remainder of the tournament.
His replacement, Marcelo Bosch would go on to hold down the position until the completion of Rugby World Cup 2015. Tiesi’s final test was also against England where he also left play injured. His prior international appearance had been against Georgia where he captained his country in San Juan.
In total Tiesi earned 37 test caps, a number significantly influenced by injuries and Argentina’s lack of test matches prior to 2012. Shown below, his try against Scotland in Tucumán in 2010 was a finalist for World Rugby’s Try of the Year award.
