photo credit: Juan Gasparini / Gaspafotos / UAR

World Cup Watch – Argentina – November 05 2018

Mario Ledesma’s 31-man roster for the November Internationals has massive ramifications for RWC 2019. The dumping of Daniel Hourcade regulars Ramiro Herrera, Santiago González Iglesias, Juan Manuel Leguizamón and Leonardo Senatore means all are now officially unlikely to play in Japan 2019.

In the previous edition of World Cup Watch – Argentina Americas Rugby News noted that González Iglesias, Leguizamón and Senatore would struggle to make the cut. Herrera, however was expected to be selected and make the match day 23.

Ledesma’s decision to drop four veterans also saw Manuel Montero, Matías Osadczuk, and Lucas Paulos released from the training squad. Combined this goes a long way to outlining Ledesma’s thinking towards his roster to travel to Japan.

It is further clarified when considering who he is to take instead. Uncapped players Rodrigo Bruni, Santiago Grondona, Santiago Carreras, Lucio Sordoni, Mayco Vivas and Joaquín Díaz Bonilla all made the roster.

Their selection not only indicates their positioning compared to those left out but it is also a strong indication of which European-Based players Ledesma is ultimately planning to take with him to the World Cup.

In addition to Nicolás Sánchez who joins Stade Français next month the leading names are Facundo Bosch (Agen), Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs), Patricio Fernández (Clermont), Juan Figallo (Saracens), Mariano Galarza (Bordeaux), Francisco Goméz Kodela (Lyon), Juan Imhoff (Racing 92), Facundo Isa (Toulon), and Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres).

With two wins in the Rugby Championship it is clear that with the injection of elite talent based in Europe Argentina will have a team to compete against the best at the World Cup. Below is the projected roster based on piecing together the puzzle.

 

ARGENTINA

## NAME CLUB POS CAPS

 

FIRST CHOICE

1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Jaguares LH 50
2 Agustín Creevy Jaguares HO 80
3 Juan Figallo Saracens (UK) TH 26
4 Guido Petti Jaguares LO 42
5 Tomás Lavanini Jaguares LO 47
6 Pablo Matera (c) Jaguares FL 55
7 Marcos Kremer Jaguares FL 21
8 Facundo Isa Toulon (FR) N8 25
9 Gonzalo Bertranou Jaguares SH 17
10 Nicolás Sánchez Stade Français (FR) FH 71
11 Juan Imhoff Racing 92 (FR) WI 35
12 Jerónimo de la Fuente Jaguares CE 43
13 Matías Moroni Jaguares CE / WI 37
14 Bautista Delguy Jaguares WI 8
15 Emiliano Boffelli Jaguares FB 20

Despite no longer being captain Agustín Creevy remains the projected starting hooker. He joins the presently injured Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Juan Figallo in the front-row. The choice of u20s players ahead of Herrera, and Enrique Pieretto strongly implies that Figallo is not only no 1 but also that Francisco Goméz Kodela is in the frame.

Javier Ortega Desio is the incumbent no 8 but Americas Rugby News nonetheless projects that Facundo Isa will start and will be a Puma again when fit. Marcos Kremer holds on to the 7 shirt with Desio Ortega continuing to occupy the bench spot.

Two changes do come in the backs. The class and form of Emiliano Boffelli at fullback this year now sees him ahead of Joaquín Tuculet. This works out well for rookie Bautista Delguy who joins Boffelli and Imhoff in the starting back-three formation.

 

REPLACEMENTS

16 Julián Montoya Jaguares HO 48
17 Santiago García Botta Jaguares LH 30
18 Francisco Goméz Kodela Lyon (FR) TH 11
19 Matías Alemanno Jaguares LO 50
20 Javier Ortega Desio Jaguares N8 / FL 48
21 Tomás Cubelli Jaguares SH 67
22 Benjamín Urdapilleta Castres (FR) FH 10
23 Joaquín Tuculet Jaguares FB 51

Tomás Cubelli is back above Martín Landajo as the leading contender to be the replacement scrum-half. Joaquín Tuculet makes the 23 as the replacement outside back. This selection has been made baring in mind that Boffelli would be able to move to wing or outside center.

Bautista Ezcurra drops out of the 23 to now be listed as a traveling reserve, a likely choice given the dumping of González Iglesias. This means that Matías Orlando continues to be outside of the projected roster. Jerónimo de La Fuente’s start at 13 furthers this hierarchy.

The decision to take Joaquín Díaz Bonilla to Europe does not see him making the cut. Instead Benjamín Urdapilleta looms as the match finisher Argentina need in tight contests and is ideally suited to balancing the load through the pool phase. Juan Cruz Mallía is included as a traveling reserve covering fullback, wing, center and even fly half.

In the forwards Santiago Medrano has moved clear of Enrique Pieretto to be the top home based tight head so long as Tetaz Chaparro plays loose head. Facundo Bosch is the clear option if Argentina seek to take a third hooker to Japan. It is a logical selection supported by Tetaz Chaparro’s utility.

 

TRAVELING RESERVES

24 Facundo Bosch Agen (FR) HO 1
25 Santiago Medrano Jaguares TH 8
26 Mariano Galarza Bordeaux (FR) LO 25
27 Tomás Lezana Jaguares FL 27
28 Rodrigo Bruni Jaguares N8
29 Juan Cruz Mallía Jaguares CE / FB 4
30 Bautista Ezcurra Jaguares CE 5
31 Santiago Cordero Exeter Chiefs (UK) WI / FB 33

Ledesma’s roster for the November Internationals has just the two hookers. This is a highly strong indication of Facundo Bosch (Agen) firmly being the next-in-line. Lucas Noguera Paz (Bath), Facundo Gigena (Leicester) and Gastón Córtes (Leicester) are out of consideration for the time being as options for prop.

The absence of both Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Leonardo Senatore was predicted by Americas Rugby News. This reinforced the projection of Rodrigo Bruni and Santiago Grondona as non-traveling reserves, with the former now elevated to the roster itself.

Tomás Lezana makes the plane for Japan covering flanker ahead of Grondona with Bruni the next in line at No8. Mariano Galarza is the smart bet to travel as the second-rower outside of the match day 23.

Santiago Cordero remains above Jaguares’ wingers Ramiro Moyano and Sebastián Cancelliere. With wing being among Argentina’s strongest positions at present there is no room for Manuel Montero, a vastly more gifted player than Horacio Agulla who played in the past three RWCs for Argentina.

 

 

NON-TRAVELING RESERVES

32 Diego Fortuny Jaguares HO 1
33 Javier Díaz Jaguares LH 3
34 Ramiro Herrera Stade Français TH 39
35 Lucas Paulos Olivos LO
36 Santiago Grondona Champagnat FL
37 Francisco Gorrissen Belgrano N8 / FL
38 Martín Landajo Jaguares SH 83
39 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla Jaguares FH
40 Matías Orlando Jaguares CE 36
41 Sebastián Cancelliere Jaguares WI / SH 8
42 Ramiro Moyano Jaguares FB / WI 27

Changes to the non-traveling reserves see Ramiro Herrera listed with Enrique Pieretto now needing a strong Super Rugby campaign to have any shot at playing in Japan 2019.

Both Franco Molina and Ignacio Larrague are now behind Lucas Paulos, a player who trained ahead of them under Ledesma over the previous two weeks. Should Galarza be overlooked then Paulos is presently the best positioned to join Alemanno, Lavanini, and Petti in the RWC.

All of a sudden Santiago Grondona is not a possibility but a plausible suggestion. Francisco Gorrissen has been outstanding for Belgrano this year. This is reflected with the pair on standby for a seat on the plane.

The roster is far from being finalized though the picture is increasingly clear. Ledesma only has 13 players from RWC 2015 on his roster for the November Internationals. While this figure is low it could yet be further decreased with all players required to stand up of join González Iglesias, Herrera, Leguizamón, and Senatore on the outer.

 

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

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Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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