Five Probable New Pumas for November

The Rugby Championship has only recently been completed yet there is little time to rest. On November 05 Argentina will be playing again, this time against Japan in Tokyo.

The fixture in the Rugby World Cup 2019 host nation will be the first of four matches. Los Pumas will fly from Japan to the U.K. to embark on a highly demanding tour. Argentina will be thoroughly tested by facing Wales, Scotland and England.

Head Coach Daniel Hourcade is expected to take a large roster with him. This will include players who did not feature in there Rugby Championship. Some of these may well be returning stars who play their Rugby in Europe.

The exceptional circumstances ruling may also for Marcelo Bosch, Manuel Carizza, Mariano Galarza, Patricio Fernández, Juan Figallo, Juan Imhoff, or Axel Müller to be selected. The likelihood is, nonetheless, low.

Expected to instead see the inclusion of PladAR players. Graduates from the Argentine under 20’s and Los Pumas 7’s teams are the likely newcomers.

Four back-to-back away test matches is extremely demanding. So much so that Argentina’s tour will be tougher than the pool stage of a Rugby World Cup. Playing New Zealand, Georgia, Tonga and Namibia is less of a challenge than what awaits Los Pumas next month.

Five Probable New Pumas

Three scrum halves will all but certainly travel. Hourcade had Felipe Ezcurra with him in the Rugby Championship though he received no game time. He could remain on the roster for November though just as likely, if not more, is Gonzalo Bertranou. The 22-year-old has one test to his name, having played against Paraguay in 2015.

Hooker is similar to scrum half. Agustín Creevy, Julián Montoya, Martín Landajo, and Tomás Cubelli hold down the top spots. A third hooker is required though Hourcade may prefer to look to loosehead prop Lucas Noguera Paz as an emergency option. This was his tactic a year ago in England. The leading contender to travel as a third choice hooker is the uncapped Facundo Bosch.

Tighthead prop has long been a position of strength for Argentina. Ramiro Herrera and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro are both outstanding, the latter now playing loosehead as younger players develop. Both Felipe Arregui and Enrique Pieretto are long term options and, despite a lack of opportunities in the Rugby Championship, were on the roster throughout. Cristian Bartoloni joined in training at times and is a certain squad member at some point.

Second-row has caused Argentina severe headaches. Two leading players are at Racing 92 and Gloucester and a third, Tomás Lavanini, is out until March. Hourcade used flanker Javier Ortega Desio as cover this year. He also used Marcos Kremer who, at 19, debuted against New Zealand. Expect to see Ignacio Larrague join the roster. Aged 20, the uncapped Larrague is another to get game time in Super Rugby.

Emiliano Boffelli was a breakthrough star for Los Jaguares. Unfortunately he remains sidelined through injury and will have to wait until 2017 before making his international debut. Bautista Delguy is another prospect. The 19-year-old has been extremely impressive for Los Pumas 7’s and Los Pumitas. The fullback may well Argentina’s next Santiago Cordero. He should tour in November.

Five Possible New Pumas

Larrague was joined by Gaspar Baldunciel and Santiago Montagner in training with Los Pumas recently. Hourcade has his eyes on all three. Baldunciel and Santiago Iglesias Valdez are the next hooker options after Bosch. Both featured in international action this year in non-capped matches. The same is true of Montagner who is developing into a quality back-rower.

Hourcade requires additional fly half options. Throughout his tenure Hourcade has used Juan Martín Hernández as back-up to Nicolás Sánchez. Injuries limited Hernández’ game time in the Rugby Championship and at 34 his involvement in the next World Cup is questionable at best. Santiago González Iglesias is third choice though his best rugby is as a center.

An available Patricio Fernández would be would be called-up immediately and likely start against Japan. There are, thankfully, alternatives. Juan Cruz González is one of them and he has trained with Los Pumas this year. Domingo Miotti, Martín Elías, and Bautista Ezcurra are all others under consideration. Expect one of these four to tour. González’ recent experience with the Argentina XV may see him selected.

Midfield options require strengthening. Support for Matías Moroni and Matías Orlando may be sought in the form of Segundo Tuculet. The younger brother of Joaquín Tuculet is another uncapped player to have been involved in Los Pumas 7’s, Super Rugby and the Argentina XV.

One of Argentina’s many promising under 20 backs is Tomás Malanos. He had a fine campaign at the Junior World Championship, with his support running and communication being first class. If Hourcade wants to take a young winger then look no further than Malanos.

Gaining a reputation due to his brother, Federico Lavanini is a prospective second-rower of the future. Heavy investment has gone into him at PladAR. He is already involved with the Argentina XV.

Likely Returning Pumas

There are four names that Hourcade had to do without in the Rugby Championship who may tour. Back-rower Tomás Lezana had an outstanding debut against France as a 20-year-old. He missed the World Cup with Ortega Desio’s versatility ultimately getting him the nod.

Also debuting in November 2014 was Juan Cruz Guillemaín. The second-rower is back from shoulder surgery and has trained with Los Pumas. The return of Benjamín Macome from France may sees Guillemaín miss out. Like Macome, Larrague may also have done enough in the Americas Pacific Challenge.

Loosehead prop Santiago García Botta has been plagued with injuries. He is fit again though and ready for inclusion. Hourcade called him up as emergency cover for the Bronze Final a year ago.

Nobody though as been as influenced by injuries as Rodrigo Báez. The Mendoza back-rower will be raring to go in November. Hourcade has used him when fit in the past, starting him ahead of others now considered permanent members of the roster.