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Argentina has new national champions of Italy. Two players to have been involved in the Argentina XV in 2016 featured for Calvisano in Saturday’s Grand Final. Calvisano were crowned Italian champions, defeating Femi-CZ Rovigo 43-29 in the final.
Femi-CZ Rovigo were looking to retain their Eccellenza title. But it was not to be. The side fell to Calvisano who had Juan Novillo and Joaquín Paz starting the match at fly half and center respectively. Both players signed to play in Italy in search of greater game time after having limited opportunities at Los Jaguares.
Their move to Italy has seen them rewarded with not only being able to play as professionals with regularity but in also becoming national champions. Paz had added reason to celebrate as he scored a second half try.
Both Paz and Novillo are captured to Argentina. With the Argentina XV being Argentina’s official ‘A’ side all players involved at any point cannot be capped by another side. Paz and Novillo both played for the team in 2016.
Prior to doing so both were in fact capped. Paz earned three caps, two against Uruguay and one against Paraguay. Novillo faced the same two sides in 2015. For either player to add to this it would require relocating back to Argentina. Existing player selection rules are being firmly enforced with no tolerance allocated to Daniel Hourcade outside of Super Rugby.
