Puma Changes from June 2016 for June 2017

Daniel Hourcade’s roster for the June 2017 internationals remains unconfirmed. In 2016 his first roster had 28 players. Most, albeit not all, of the players are to return for the 2017 fixtures. They are to be complimented by additional players, all of whom are to involved in the current Super Rugby campaign.

Out
Facundo Bosch and Facundo Isa have both left Argentina and are contracted to Agen and Toulon respectively for next season. Neither will play for Argentina and nor will any others playing their rugby in Europe.

Bosch had been the third choice hooker for both Los Jaguares and Los Pumas in 2016. His opportunities were limited which, ultimately, contributed to him signing to play in France. The search for greater game time resulted in Loose Head prop Roberto Tejerizo converting to hooker.

Tejerizo has been back-up to captain, Agustín Creevy in recent weeks. This is due to Julián Montoya being out injured. Montoya will be back in time for June. Tejerizo or Argentina XV regular, Gaspar Baldunciel are next in line. Hourcade, though, is likely to go for just two hookers.

Leonardo Senatore is to replace 2016 Argentine Player of the Year, Isa at No 8. Formerly of Bayonne, Benjamín Macome is the next in line at Los Jaguares and starts today against the Lions. Senatore missed the 2016 June Internationals though suspension.

No longer a Jaguar is Lucas González Amorosino. His personal decision came at a time when Argentina is in need of finding depth at wing. Juan Pablo Estelles debuted in November but will not be considered.

In
Marcos Ayerza has retired. Without him the scrum simply has not been the same. Los Pumas lost some of their edge in 2016 but did improve in November. In June 2016 Santiago García Botta and Facundo Gigena were the two players picked. Lucas Noguera Paz was injured at the time. He will take Gigena’s spot.

Problems in the scrum saw Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro moving to Loose Head prop in June. He missed out on the November tour with Enrique Pieretto displaying extraordinary abilities in the scrum. Pieretto was deputy to Ramiro Herrera, another out through suspension last June.

Problems also presented themselves in the second-row last June. Tomás Lavanini was a late arrival after returning from suspension. Limited resources saw flanker Javier Ortega Desio starting in the second-row against France. Such a possibility is low this time around. Marcos Kremer has demonstrated his abilities for Los Jaguares and has not been training with Los Pumitas.

Veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamón is to be back in the mix. Neither he nor Ortega Desio have played Super Rugby thus far in 2017. Rodrigo Báez and Tomás Lezana have proven to be more than adequate replacements.

Also yet to play are both Martín Landajo and Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies). The former is expected back within weeks for Los Jaguares while the latter is likely to have to sit out the June Internationals. Gonzalo Bertranou is likely to be picked with Felipe Ezcurra added if Hourcade opts for a third scrum half.

Santiago González Iglesias and Gabriel Ascárate appear to be cover, thereby potentially featuring in the event of injuries or suspensions. At fly half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla has moved above González Iglesias while Domingo Miotti is an outside possibility.

Winger Manuel Montero has not played since August. Ramiro Moyano has taken the opportunity in Super Rugby. He and Santiago Cordero are the best bets to join Montero as the wing options. Emiliano Boffelli join them and is to cover both fullback and outside center yet it is anticipated he will make his debut on the wing.

All considered the projected roster will consist of 31 players. This is to include two players in all positions, a familiarity under Hourcade. The positions with additional players are Tight Head Prop, Flanker and Wing. In all cases one of more player covers another position.

PLAYER POSITION AGE DEBUT CAPS
Santiago García Botta Loose Head Prop 24 2013 vs Chile 14
Lucas Noguera Paz Loose Head Prop 23 2014 vs Uruguay 32
Agustín Creevy Hooker 32 2005 vs Japan 59
Julián Montoya Hooker 23 2014 vs Uruguay 29
Ramiro Herrera Tight Head Prop 28 2014 vs Ireland 32
Enrique Pieretto Tight Head Prop 22 2016 vs Italy 13
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Tight Head Prop 27 2010 vs Chile 30
Matías Alemanno Second-row 26 2014 vs Uruguay 31
Marcos Kremer Second-row 19 2016 vs New Zealand 3
Tomás Lavanini Second-row 24 2013 vs Uruguay 30
Guido Petti Second-row 22 2014 vs Italy 24
Rodrigo Báez Flanker 28 2010 vs Chile 16
Juan Manuel Leguizamón Flanker 33 2005 vs Japan 75
Tomás Lezana Flanker 23 2014 vs France 11
Pablo Matera Flanker 24 2013 vs Chile 34
Javier Ortega Desio Flanker 26 2012 vs Uruguay 32
Benjamín Macome No 8 31 2009 vs Chile 23
Leonardo Senatore No 8 32 2008 vs Uruguay 44
Gonzalo Bertranou Scrum half 23 2015 vs Paraguay 2
Matín Landajo Scrum half 28 2008 vs Chile 66
Joaquín Diaz Bonilla Fly half 28 2016 vs Uruguay 2
Nicolás Sánchez Fly half 28 2010 vs Uruguay 50
Jerónimo de la Fuente Inside Center 26 2014 vs Uruguay 27
Juan Martín Hernández Inside Center 34 2013 vs Paraguay 66
Matías Moroni Outside Center 26 2014 vs Scotland 13
Matías Orlando Outside Center 25 2012 vs Uruguay 21
Santiago Cordero Wing 23 2013 vs England 30
Manuel Montero Wing 25 2012 vs Uruguay 26
Ramiro Moyano Wing 26 2011 vs Chile 12
Emiliano Boffelli Fullback 22 uncapped 0
Joaquín Tuculet Fullback 27 2012 vs Italy 40

About Paul Tait

CO-FOUNDER / EDITOR / SOUTH AMERICA ... has been covering the sport since 2007. Former player, coach, and referee. Author on web and in print. Published original works in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Ele fala português / Él habla español.

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