Argentina to Establish Clear Ruling on European Players for Pumas

Argentina is set to establish a clear ruling on European-based players for Los Pumas. A forthcoming announcement is due to be made on April 27.

In an interview with Alejo Miranda of La Nación new UAR President Marcelo Rodriguez confirmed that there are ongoing discussions to determine which approach to take in regards to Los Pumas.

Since Rugby World Cup 2015 concluded Argentina has used a selection policy reminiscent to that of New Zealand and England. To be eligible to win caps players must remain at home. The rare exceptions have been those based abroad with UAR approval.

During his two years at the Brumbies, Tomás Cubelli was eligible for selection. In addition both Felipe Arregui and Juan Pablo Estelles were a part of the 2016 European tour while being contracted to clubs in the UK. Both were, at the time, under short term ‘medical joker’ contracts.

Australia utilized the same policy until 2015. Changes were made in April of that year to boost the Wallabies chances at the World Cup. To be eligible players needed to have previously played Super Rugby for seven years or more for an Australian side and have 60 or more Wallabies caps.

The alterations enabled Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau to not only return but to star for their country at RWC 2015. Both signed for Toulon while out of favor at home with Mitchell’s last cap before 2015 coming in 2012 and Giteau’s in 2011. They played so well in the Top 14 and Champions Cup that they would return and hold down starting positions.

Recent reports out of Argentina have indicated that Daniel Hourcade will be able to select again from Europe this year. With European-based players back into the team the standard of play of Los Pumas is expected to improve.

The decision that the UAR is thinking over is not whether to enable European-based players back, but rather in what manner. A policy matching that of Australia will not be replicated. Instead Argentina is looking to establish a clear ruling on the number of players based abroad to play for Los Pumas per match.

Rodriguez explained to Miranda that:

“We are at the diagnostic stage, but the decision is being made. The idea is to confirm it on April 27 at the Board of Directors meeting. We are talking over the method because we need to take care of what we have here (Jaguares). Of all of the options that we have analyzed I favor a quota per match, which could be five players. We are going to establish a clear, transparent rule, maintained until 2019. I want it to come into force for the June test matches”.

Argentina is to host three test matches in June. Wales and Scotland are touring with the Welsh playing tests in San Juan and Santa Fé and the Scots playing one test in Resistencia.

Argentina’s scrum came under criticism in both 2016 and 2017. This being the case while Juan Figallo and Francisco Gómez Kodela were among the leading props in England and France respectively. Ramiro Herrera’s departure to Stade Français has left Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro as the one notable tighthead prop at home.

With loosehead props Lucas Noguera Paz and Facundo Gigena also now both in Europe, Santiago García Botta has Felipe Arregui as his deputy. In Super Rugby it sees opportunities at both loosehead and tighthead. While Felipe Arregui, Javier Díaz, Santiago Medrano, and Juan Pablo Zeiss are promising their potential involvement for Argentina would be premature.

Needless to say the scrum would benefit from European-based players returning in June. Yet the impact is set to be far greater than merely being up front. Hookers Tomás Baravalle, Facundo Bosch, and Santiago Socino have all had tremendous seasons. Facundo Isa is a certainty for No8.

Behind the scrum there is both youth and experience to call upon. Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Cordero, Patricio Fernández, Juan Imhoff, Axel Müller, Juan Pablo Socino, and Benjamín Urdapilleta are all in the frame as are others. The impact of five from Europe cannot be underestimated .

Let the debates begin.