World Cup Watch – Uruguay

The 2019 Rugby World Cup is now less than 16 months away, and only two spots are left to be decided. Both will be filled before the end of the year. Three teams from the Americas – Argentina, Uruguay, and the USA – have already qualified. During the build-up we’ll be keeping track of who might be in, and who might not be for each team that qualifies for World Rugby’s flagship tournament.

To do so we’ll be naming a squad of 31 players from each, the number of players each country will name to take part. The format will be straightforward: a potential first choice match day roster along with eight ‘traveling reserves’ who will need to provide cover at each position. In general that means a third choice hooker, a fifth prop, three second or back row forwards, a third choice scrumhalf, and two backs.

Of course injuries are always a concern so in addition to each World Cup squad we’ll list 11 non-traveling reserves. That group will also follow a consistent pattern: hooker, loosehead and tighthead props, second row, two back row forwards, a scrumhalf, flyhalf, midfielder, and two outside backs.

The selection process will be as objective as possible. We won’t be choosing who we think should be playing, rather it will be based entirely on the selections of the national coaches themselves. A player consistently selected as first choice in their position will be considered so in our selection, with the bench composition also mimicking that of actual selection as closely as possible. There will be some debates in the case of an unclear selection but we will address those as are required.

We’ll review our selections before and after each significant international event through to the World Cup – namely the June test series, the Americas Pacific Challenge, the November test series, and the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship.

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Our first team that we look at is Uruguay, who are currently engaged in the World Rugby Nations Cup. They have shown huge progress since RWC 2015. Under the leadership of Head Coach Esteban Meneses and the creation of a centralized training program at the Estadio Charrúa they have enjoyed historic success including a Nations Cup win in 2017, a two-match sweep of Namibia in November, and of course World Cup qualification in February by defeating Canada.

The newest development is the creation of central contracts for a group of 15 elite domestic players which will allow them to concentrate on their preparations in a much greater capacity than before. Barring injury all are certain to travel to Japan next year, and Los Teros are set to enter the tournament with their strongest-ever team that may well include an entirely-professional starting team. The team will also be hugely experienced with nine players already over the 50-cap plateau.

Apart from some experimentation during the Americas Pacific Challenge and Sudameriano 6 Naciones, selections have been consistent from Meneses which makes construction of the potential roster relatively straightforward. Even the replacements, for the most part, appear to have a clear hierarchy. Below is how we see the squad looking as it stands.

 

URUGUAY

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NAME

CLUB

POS

CAPS

 

FIRST CHOICE

1	Mateo Sanguinetti	Los Cuervos	LH	51
2	Germán Kessler	Los Cuervos	HO	38
3	Mario Sagario	Carrasco Polo	TH	71
4	Ignacio Dotti	Los Cuervos	LO	36
5	Rodrigo Capó Ortega	Castres, FR	LO	41
6	Juan Manuel Gaminara (c)	Old Boys	FL	55
7	Franco Lamanna	Mazamet, FR	FL	42
8	Alejandro Nieto	Champagnat	N8	60
9	Santiago Arata	Old Christians	SH	28
10	Felipe Berchesi	Dax, FR	FH	27
11	Nicolás Freitas	Carrasco Polo	WI / CE	24
12	Andrés Vilaseca	Old Boys	CE	43
13	Juan Manuel Cat	Old Boys	CE / FH	20
14	Leandro Leivas	Old Christians	WI	69
15	Rodrigo Silva	Carrasco Polo	FB / FH	50

There are few if any debates about the first choice side. The availability of long-time veterans Mario Sagario and Rodrigo Capó Ortega may come into question but for the time being we will assume they will stick around through the World Cup. Juan Manuel Cat looks to have secured the starting outside center role ahead of Joaquín Prada, while Leandro Leivas is the preferred right winger ahead of Gastón Mieres.

At the moment changes before the World Cup look unlikely. Possibilities include Juan Echeverría for Sagario at tighthead prop, and perhaps the promotion of Manuel Leindekar to the starting side at the expense of Capó Ortega. Franco Lamanna has competition from a number of players on the blindside flank but has been the preferred option when available. Santiago Arata has stamped his authority on the starting scrumhalf spot ahead of Agustín Ormaechea.

 

REPLACEMENTS

16	Carlos Pombo	Old Boys	HO	10
17	Matías Benitez	Champagnat	LH	28
18	Juan Echeverría	Old Christians	TH	40
19	Manuel Leindekar	Oyonnax, FR	LO	7
20	Manuel Diana	Old Christians	N8 / FL	12
21	Agustín Ormaechea	Strasbourg, FR	SH	39
22	Joaquín Prada	Los Cuervos	CE	43
23	Gastón Mieres	Lobos	WI / FB	60

Again there is little to debate here. Carlos Pombo has emerged as the clear-cut second choice hooker with the apparent retirement of Martín Espiga. The only position of real debate is the reserve loose forward, where a handful of players are in contention. For the time being Manuel Diana looks to be the best option. Meneses has also on occasion opted for six forward reserves but not enough to consider it the most likely bench configuration.

 

TRAVELING RESERVES

24	Carlos Arboleya	Trébol	HO / PR	68
25	Felipe Inciarte	Old Christians	PR	5
26	Diego Magno	MVCC	LO / FL	83
27	Rodolfo Garese	Carrasco Polo	FL	12
28	Gonzalo Soto Mera	Carrasco Polo	N8 / FL	19
29	Tomás Inciarte	Old Christians	SH / WI	4
30	Germán Albanell	Old Boys	FH / SH	16
31	Agustín Della Corte	Trébol	CE	6

Here is where we start to see some debates emerging. Diego Magno and Agustín Della Corte are certainties for inclusion, while Tomás Inciarte’s impressive form at scrumhalf marks him as highly probable. 2015 World Cup hooker Carlos Arboleya should also be considered likely given his experience and ability to cover tighthead prop.

The back row is a spot that could see some changes. Leandro Segredo and Juan Diego Ormaechea have both been included in the Nations Cup squad and are very much in contention for a spot. One of Rodolfo Garese and Gonzalo Soto Mera are certain to travel with each having the ability to cover lock if required. At this stage we have included both.

Felipe Inciarte can play both sides of the front row and while relatively new to the national side has quickly established himself as the fifth prop. His main competition appears to be from u20 graduate Guillermo Pujadas, who is rising through the ranks quickly, while uncapped Diego de Pazos is also an option comfortable across the front row.

The status of Germán Albanell as halfback cover looks precarious at the moment. His form has dipped somewhat and given his primary position is at flyhalf, there are strong cases for either Andrés De León or Manuel Blengio in his stead. As both Juan Manuel Cat and Rodrigo Silva can also cover flyhalf there is also a fair chance his spot could instead go to an outside back with Federico Favaro at the top of the list.

 

NON-TRAVELING RESERVES

32	Diego de Pazos	MVCC	HO / PR	–
33	Facundo Gattas	Lobos	LH / HO	19
34	Guillermo Pujadas	Champagnat	TH / LH	–
35	Diego Ayala	MVCC	LO	18
36	Leandro Segredo	Old Christians	FL	1
37	Juan Diego Ormaechea	Carrasco Polo	N8 / FL	22
38	Guillermo Lijtenstein	Trébol	SH	37
39	Andrés De León	Old Christians	FH	3
40	Gastón Gibernau	Old Boys	CE / WI	16
41	Federico Favaro	Old Christians	WI / FB	20
42	Manuel Blengio	Old Christians	FB / FH	18

While there is movement expected between the traveling reserves and the non-travelers, entrance into the latter group appears more difficult with the window rapidly closing for newcomers to press their claims. The Americas Pacific Challenge in October will be the last opportunity for fringe candidates.

Guillermo Lijtenstein’s consideration is largely based on past form and experience. More recently he has specialised in sevens. With Tomás Inciarte well established as third choice, it seems more likely that Lijtenstein would be fourth-choice scrumhalf though Matías Risso, Baltasar Brum, and the versatile Lucas Durán are also possibilities.

Among others who could jump into the frame are Lobos prop Maximiliano Chabert, old Christians hooker Yamandú Arburúas, and standout u20 flanker Manuel Ardao. World Cup lock Jorge Zerbino would be a welcome addition but appears to have ruled himself out of national consideration after recovering from a long-term injury.

 

A complete list of Uruguay’s senior player pool can be seen here.