Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Juan Martín Hernández will play no further part in the Rugby Championship. The Pumas first choice inside center requires an operation to the meniscus of his knee. As such he will miss the round five and six matches against New Zealand and Australia.
The loss of Hernández is the latest in a series of setbacks for Los Pumas. Both Tomás Lavanini and Emiliano Boffelli are both out for the year while others are being monitored closely. Captain Agustín Creevy and veteran back-rower Juan Manuel Leguizamón both remain in doubt to face New Zealand.
Also in doubt are Guido Petti and Facundo Isa. Progress has been made from both players since returning home from Perth. Both are expected to be declared fit to play against New Zealand. The same is true of Manuel Montero who was injured playing against South Africa in round two.
Argentina’s next match is against New Zealand in Buenos Aires. The October 01 match will be followed seven days later by a game against Australia in London, England. The first ever Rugby Championship match on neutral soil will be a repeat of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Semi Final at Twickenham.
The loss of Hernández is to coincide with the expected return of Jerónimo de la Fuente. Argentina’s second choice inside center missed the opening four rounds of the Rugby Championship to injury In his place Santiago González Iglesias and Gabriel Ascárate have both been used.
Hernández, though, ought to be fine to play for Argentina in November. Los Pumas will embark on an historic four match end-of-year tour. One away test match will be played against each of Japan, England, Scotland and Wales.
