Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Following time spent at Montpellier, Newcastle, and Carcassonne, Nahuel Lobo has returned to Estudiantes de Paraná. Still aged just 24 the loosehead prop has turned down offers to remain in Europe to focus on an international recall.
In an interview with UNO Entre Rios Lobo said “the last year I was with Los Pumas was in 2013. I had a taste of the Rugby Championship and some tests where I debuted in November 2012. From there came the clause that players based in Europe could no longer play in the national team, so I was cut. That game me the incentive to return, challenge and try to get back“.
From Chajarí, Entre Rios on the eastern border with Uruguay Lobo is a PladAR product. He made eight appearances for Los Pumitas in 2011 and earned a call-up by Santiago Phelan for Los Pumas the following year. This came after appearances for the Pampas XV in the Vodacom Cup.
His test debut against France in Lille was followed by a second appearance from the bench against Ireland. Phelan then used him for five of the 2013 Rugby Championship matches and the incoming Daniel Hourcade retained him for November.
In 2014 he was not selected for Los Pumas and instead played for the Argentina XV in the Tbilisi Cup. Meanwhile he moved back to Montpellier from Newcastle. He then played this past season in the Pro D2 for Carcassonne.
His return to Argentina comes at a time in which loosehead props are highly sought after. Marcos Ayerza and Juan Figallo play in the Aviva Premiership and Bruno Postiglioni in the Guinness Pro 12.
Postiglioni and Lucas Noguera Paz were back-up to Ayerza in 2014 which the latter given the nod in 2015. Injury ravished Noguera Paz’ Super Rugby season which saw Santiago García Botta used for the most part. Like Lobo, García Botta is back from France.
Another player to have returned is tighthead prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. In June Hourcade moved him to loosehead against France due to problems at loosehead against Italy. As such Lobo’s availability could not come at a better time for Los Pumas.
