November Internationals Preview – Argentina

After a break for the Rugby World Cup the annual November Internationals are almost here. The Americas are to be  well represented with Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay and the USA all playing. Of them Argentina will play the most rugby – four full test matches.

2016 FORM

Argentina enters November as a country well positioned. The results have not all gone Los Pumas’ way but the rugby that has been played is encouraging. Crucially is that the level of the Rugby Championship has elevated Argentina’s standards.

Japan, Wales, Scotland and England are to be the opposition and in this very order. None of them have played international rugby since June. Argentina has played six games, for a return of one win and five losses. It perhaps ought to have been two wins though the reality is the quality of the opposition was superior in all cases except, possibly, to that of England.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

The World Rankings will be used to seed teams for the Rugby World Cup 2019 draw. This will be done in May 2017, making the November Internationals the last-chance-saloon for Argentina. Los Pumas are currently 9th, an inaccurate ranking. So much rugby against the top sides is the reason.

Wins over Japan and one other will see Argentina up to 7th or higher. The style and level of play under Daniel Hourcade since the World Cup suggests this will happen. Prior to the Rugby Championship Argentina defeated Italy and France once each before playing appalling to lose the second match against Les Bleus.

Hourcade and captain Agustín Creevy must be motivated and focused throughout to avoid such a result again. In November 2014 they were poor first up, losing against Scotland. This was after beating Australia in the prior match and then toppling Italy and France in Rome and Paris.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Of Argentina’s 31-man roster, only Tomás Cubelli plays abroad. This makes the upcoming tour Argentina’s first in more than a playing generation without European-based professionals. Marcos Ayerza, Mariano Galarza, Juan Figallo, Juan Imhoff and others are all missing. The UAR is firm – play in Europe and miss out on playing for Los Pumas.

The new generation has long been Hourcade’s focus. Even with European players eligible he often went for a local player to have come through PladAR. Back-rower Pablo Matera is one  player to have been given the confidence of Argentina from a young age. Aged yet 23 he already has 31 caps. His ball-carrying is world class as is his work-rate and tackling technique. Matera was third in the Rugby Championship for all over meters made, offloads and turnovers won.

While Matera has earned plenty of praise the bulk has gone to Facundo Isa. The No 8 has appeared in a variety of Rugby Championship Team of the Tournament lists. His name is expected to be raised for Americas Rugby News’ Player of the Year. A nomination for World Rugby Player of the Year is entirely plausible too. Isa was the top ball-carrier with 85 runs. He was the leading forward in terms of both defenders beaten and meters gained.

Like Matera and Isa Santiago Cordero is young yet experienced. Also like both Cordero was first choice before the UAR changed the rules. Today he has added responsibility due to Imhoff’s non-availability. In the Rugby Championship he scored against all opposition, earning plenty of respect in the process. Injury cut short his participation but, now back to full fitness, he is ready to terrorize the defenses in Japan and the U.K.

Also returning from injury is Juan Martín Hernández. The veteran is often the ace up Argentina’s sleeve. His passing and kicking so often add a new dimension to Los Pumas’ attack. Without him the South Americans are often not the same force. Nicolás Sánchez is a better performer in a team which Hernández outside him than with others. This is not coincidental. They understand  each other very well and are courageous against big forwards. Hernández will miss the game in Tokyo as will Matera.

VERDICT

A lot of expectation is being placed on World Rankings. The reality, though, is Argentina has the means to get the job done. By focusing on playing quality rugby the South Americans ought to be able to return home with at least three wins. By playing to the level of play as in the Rugby Championship Argentina will be able to push for wins in all matches. This is also the stated aim of the team for November.

FIXTURES

DATE	LOCAL	ARG	OPPONENT	LOCATION
Sat, Nov 5	14:40	04:40	vs Japan	Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Sat, Nov 12	17:30	14:30	vs Wales	Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Sat, Nov 19	17:00	14:00	vs Scotland	Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Sat, Nov 26	14:30	11:30	vs England	Twickenham, London

SQUAD

NAME	POS	HGT	WGT	DOB	CAPS	CLUB
García Botta, Santiago	PR	1.83 6-0	115 255	Jun 12 1992	10	Belgrano
Gigena, Facundo	PR	1.82 6-0	120 265	Sep 15 1994	–	Tala
Herrera, Ramiro	PR	1.93 6-4	129 280	Feb 14 1989	28	Hindú
Noguera Paz, Lucas	PR	1.79 5-10	108 240	Oct 5 1993	27	Lince
Pieretto, Enrique	PR	1.89 6-2	122 270	Dec 14 1994	8	Córdoba Athletic
Bosch, Facundo	HO	1.79 5-10	102 225	Aug 8 1991	–	C.U.B.A.
Creevy, Agustín	HO	1.81 5-11	110 240	Mar 15 1985	55	San Luis
Montoya, Julián	HO	1.84 6-0	105 230	Oct 19 1993	25	Newman
Alemanno, Matías	LO	1.99 6-6	117 255	Dec 5 1991	27	La Tablada
Kremer, Marcos	LO	1.96 6-5	115 255	Jul 30 1997	3	Atlético del Rosario
Petti, Guido	LO	1.94 6-4	109 240	Nov 17 1994	20	S.I.C.
Ortega Desio, Javier	FL/LO	1.93 6-4	108 240	Jun 14 1990	28	Estudiantes de Paraná
Leguizamón, Juan Manuel	FL	1.90 6-3	105 230	Jun 6 1983	73	Santiago Lawn Tennis
Lezana, Tomás	FL	1.88 6-2	105 230	Feb 16 1994	8	Santiago Lawn Tennis
Matera, Pablo	FL	1.93 6-4	110 240	Jul 18 1993	31	Alumni
Isa, Facundo	N8	1.88 6-2	107 235	Sep 21 1993	21	Santiago Lawn Tennis
Senatore, Leonardo	N8	1.91 6-3	106 235	May 13 1984	40	Gimnasia y Esgrima
Cubelli, Tomás	SH	1.76 5-9	81 175	Dec 6 1989	54	Belgrano
Ezcurra, Felipe	SH	1.79 5-10	85 185	Apr 15 1993	2	Hindú
Landajo, Martín	SH	1.74 5-9	83 180	Jun 14 1988	62	C.A.S.I.
Sánchez, Nicolás	FH	1.78 5-10	85 185	Oct 26 1988	47	Tucumán Lawn Tennis
González Iglesias, Santiago	FH/CE	1.78 5-10	92 200	Jun 16 1988	28	Alumni
Hernández, Juan Martín	FH/CE	1.87 6-2	94 205	Jul 8 1982	63	Francesa
Ascárate, Gabriel	CE	1.84 6-0	96 210	Oct 20 1987	17	Natación y Gimnasia
de la Fuente, Jerónimo	CE	1.84 6-0	97 215	Feb 24 1991	23	Duendes
Moroni, Matías	CE/WI	1.85 6-1	91 200	Mar 29 1991	15	C.U.B.A.
Orlando, Matías	CE/WI	1.83 6-0	96 210	Nov 14 1991	17	Huirapuca
Cordero, Santiago	WI	1.76 5-9	83 180	Dec 6 1993	26	Regatas Bella Vista
Montero, Manuel	WI	1.94 6-4	105 230	Nov 20 1991	26	Pucará
González Amorosino, Lucas	WI/FB	1.85 6-1	93 205	Feb 11 1985	52	Pucará
Moyano, Ramiro	WI/FB	1.80 5-11	86 190	May 28 1990	11	Lince
Tuculet, Joaquín	FB	1.83 6-0	92 200	Aug 8 1989	37	Los Tilos