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Rodrigo Bruni is in doubt to face the USA in the ARC opener. The Argentina XV no 8 is in a race against time to be fit for the match against the Eagles in Los Angeles, California on Saturday February 03.
The San Luis back-rower was one of eight invitational players named by Mario Ledesma for Los Jaguares. Both he and the fellow uncapped back-rowers Francisco Gorrissen and Santiago Montagner are among the bright prospects for the Argentina XV in the upcoming Americas Rugby Championship.
Standing in the way of opportunities with Los Jaguares are established no 8’s Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Benjamín Macome and Leonardo Senatore. All three are veterans and are now well into their 30’s. Bruni and Montagner are 10 and 12 years younger than Leguizamón respectively.
Preparation for the ARC opener against the USA is to continue next week in Buenos Aires. The Argentina XV is to train at Buenos Aires Cricket & Rugby Club while on Monday January 29 the side will depart for the USA.
A long trip is to follow as the Argentina XV host Chile in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in the second round on February 10. From there it is to be a round three match against Uruguay in Punta de Este before further travel to Jujuy and São José dos Campos, Brazil.
With great distances to cover player management is certain to be a feature of Felipe Contepomi’s campaign. In addition to Bruni and Montagner he has Santiago Portillo as a specialist no 8 option on his roster. Tomás de la Vega and Lautaro Bavaro are additional names likely to feature heavily.
Bruni was a stand-out performer under Contepomi in 2017. This led to him being called-up to Los Pumas for their November tour to England, Italy and Ireland. Daniel Hourcade did not use him, thereby he remains uncapped. A first cap looms as highly likely in 2018.
