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Argentina’s first choice scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou is in doubt for the World Cup. The 25-year-old has undergone surgery on his shoulder following the opening match of Los Jaguares’ 2019 Super Rugby campaign.
Argentine Team Medic Guillermo Botto has confirmed that Bertranou suffered a traumatic dislocation and will play no further part in the Super Rugby season. The injury came in training on Thursday with him undergoing surgery on Friday.
Bertranou now faces a recovery time of five to six months. In addition to being out for the Super Rugby season his involvement in the Rugby Championship is very unlikely and he is in doubt to compete at RWC 2019.
Argentina’s opening match in Japan will be on September 21 against France in Tokyo. That is seven months away, giving Bertranou time to recover though he may struggle to receive game time to be considered for the tournament. Similar instances have cost players in prior RWCs with coaches opting for the fully-fit individuals rather than taking a gamble.
The Mendoza scrum-hald started in seven of Argentina’s eight test matches under Mario Ledesma in 2018. He did so after having overtaken Martín Landajo during the Super Rugby season and holding down the position to officially be Los Pumas’ first choice no 9.
The one test he did not start saw Tomás Cubelli wearing the 9 shirt. He will start in today’s Super Rugby match against the Bulls in Buenos Aires. Landajo is to be the replacement as was the case in the opening round match against the Lions.
The player next in line for Los Jaguares is now to be Argentina XV scrum-half Felipe Ezcurra. Quesada has confirmed he is to be the option to join Cubelli and Landajo in training with the team. No mention has been made to Sebastián Cancelliere, a former Argentina XV scrum-half who plays wing for Los Jaguares though is not among the starting players.
Ezcurra returned from England to the Argentina XV following a stint at the Leicester Tigers as a medical joker. He is to now be able to press for opportunities in Super Rugby and even Los Pumas.
