Sanchez Breaks Contepomi’s Point Scoring Record

Nicolás Sanchez made history this morning in New Zealand. The Tucumán fly half became the highest point scorer in Pumas history, breaking the record of Felipe Contepomi.

In his 68th test match for Argentina, Sánchez brought his career tally up to 655 points. Contemos retired in 2013 with a total of 651 points. They are followed by Hugo Porta as the third highest point scorer for Argentina and Gonzalo Quesada as the fourth.

Sánchez debuted for Argentina in 2010. He did so against Uruguay and would go on to be selected for RWC 2011 the following year. There he would play against Romania in Invercargill in what was his third test match for his country.

His next test match would be his Rugby Championship debut. With Juan Martín Hernández injured and Felipe Contepomi unavailable, Sánchez was thrust into the starting team to face South Africa in Mendoza. Sánchez would play fly half though Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga would kick the goals from fullback.

Sánchez would also face Australia in Rosario in the inaugural Rugby Championship though it was his performance against Wales in November 2012 which saw him becoming Argentina’s starting 10. On tour he scored 13 points against Wales, 17 against France and 10 against Ireland.

Now with 68 test caps too his name Sánchez has broken Contepomi’s point scoring record. He scored 14 points in Nelson to take his tally for the 2018 Rugby Championship up to 42 points. He scored 11 in Durban and 17 in Mendoza. His 42 points include a try in rounds two and three of the Rugby Championship.

Sánchez played Super Rugby for Los Jaguares in 2016-2018. He will not do so in 2019 however, with him joining Stade Français following the 2018 November Internationals. His move to France is a return after previously playing for Bordeaux, and Toulon.

It is unclear as to who will take-over from Sánchez for Los Jaguares. New Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada has noted the complexity in the position with Argentina’s top players all being in Europe. Sánchez joins RWC hopefuls Patricio Fernández (Clermont), and Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres) in the Top 14.