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Juan Imhoff is staying in France. The Argentine flier has agreed to terms with Racing 92 to remain at the club until 2022. This ends the possibility of him playing Super Rugby for Los Jaguares. It also means he cannot be considered for Los Pumas.
The Rosario winger is to be joined by two other Pumas at the club. His Rugby World Cup 2011 teammates, Manuel Carizza and Patricio Albacete are both on the club’s roster. Carizza has been at the club since 2015 and previously played for the club in 2012-2013. He signed a new two-year deal while Albacete has just joined this week.
Now a veteran of Racing 92, Imhoff has been at the club since 2011. He joined the club following that year’s Rugby World Cup. His new contract will see him complete 11 years at the same club. Now aged 29, Imhoff could yet add to his 2016 Top 14 title and Champions Cup Final appearance that year.
The news comes as note to the UAR. Still regarded as Argentina’s best winger, Imhoff is now out of the picture for Rugby World Cup 2019. There is pressure on Argentina to reduce its stance of blocking all foreign-based players from international duty.
Suggestions have been made for Argentina to not replicate England or New Zealand but, instead, Australia. In the event that those with 30 caps would be eligible for Los Pumas then Imhoff could play again for his country. At present Imhoff has 35 caps. This for a return of 21 tries, a vastly superior number than other Argentine wingers.
