Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
In a surprise move Santiago González Iglesias is set to start at outside center for Los Pumas. Head Coach Daniel Hourcade is to name the fly half in mid-field for the Rugby Championship opening round fixture against South Africa on Saturday.
A fly half by trade, González Iglesias is to be trusted with the vacant 13 shirt. Unavailable to Hourcade is Marcelo Bosch. The Saracens mid-fielder has not been considered due to the UAR standing firm on the non-selection of European-based players.
Also missing in Matías Moroni. The CUBA mid-fielder filled in for Bosch against Tonga and Ireland in Rugby World Cup 2015. But with him having been involved with Los Pumas 7’s in Rio de Janeiro Hourcade has opted to leave him out of the opening match.
Los Pumas flew to South Africa on Thursday. At the time of departure Moroni was still busy with Los Pumas 7’s. Also not considered is Jerónimo de la Fuente due tho injury. With the trio all unavailable the door has opened for González Iglesias to start the test match in Nelspruit.
González Iglesias played at fy half and inside center for Los Jaguares in Super Rugby. He does, nonetheless, have experience under Hourcade at outside center. He started in the position against Namibia in Rugby World Cup 2015. In addition he has covered the position in the past as a replacement. One such occasion was in the win over France in November 2014.
