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With 2018 coming to a close the final touches are being put into place ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby pre-season. Los Jaguares new Head Coach, Gonzalo Quesada has pressing issues to resolve. At the top of this list is the position of fly half.
The departure of Nicolás Sánchez from Los Jaguares to Stade Français has seen the firm first choice player removed altogether. Sánchez was a constant in the team with additional options finding it extremely challenging to break in to the match-day 23.
Asked on Argentina Scrum as to who the players are for fly half Quesada noted that the Juan Martín Hernández’ retirement complicated matters. He and Sánchez were of such a level that additional players were held back.
Quesada also noted who the players are that are in the frame for the 2019 Super Rugby season. He was clear in his vision that he is looking at specialist fly halves rather than converting players from other positions.
In 2018 Emiliano Boffelli trained as back-up to Sánchez following the retirement of Hernández. He would never play in the position and would not be afforded the opportunity due to the year ending knee injury suffered by regular starting fullback Joaquín Tuculet.
Last weeks camp in Buenos Aires saw Quesada examining options. Tomás Albornoz, Serafín Bordolli, Teo Castiglione, Tomás Granella, Joaquín Lamas, Juan León Novillo, and Franco Ulloa all trained. None of them, however, are being seriously considered for Los Jaguares. Quesada pointed out that the purpose was for the long term rather than the immediate future.
Those in the camp are in consideration for the Argentina XV. A roster will begin preparations for the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) in January.
Quesada’s vision for fly half has four names. The first option he gave was Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, the official back-up to Nicolás Sánchez in the November Internationals. Domingo Miotti was the next player, with reference given to his involvement with the Argentina XV.
Despite clearing seeking fly halves and not converting players, Quesada did name Juan Cruz Mallía. He clarified Mallía as a player from another position (outside back), who could play at the highest level in that position, as a plausible option for fly half given his skill-set and attributes.
The fourth, and final, player mentioned was Santiago González Iglesias. The veteran of 43 test matches was dropped by Mario Ledesma for the November Internationals. Despite being a natural fly half his role has been as a utility, though predominantly at inside center.
