Argentina Team of the Decade: Top 14

Throughout the professional era France has been linked closely to Argentina. The Top 14 has been among the most critical of competitions responsible for the development of Argentine players. In fact, prior to Argentina’s professionalism, the competition was arguably the most important reason for Los Pumas being a Tier One team.

Over the course of the decade of 2010-2019 Argentina contributed players to all varieties of Top 14 competitors: champions, mid-table sides and relegated clubs.

Best Forward: Patricio Albacete
Best Back: Juan Imhoff
MVP: Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe

 

ARGENTINA TEAM OF THE DECADE 2010-2019: TOP 14

1 Juan Figallo (Montpellier) Santiago Phelan raised eyebrows when he selected Juan Figallo over Martín Scelzo as Argentina’s starting tight-head at RWC 2011. It was a veteran making way for a young lion. It also came after Figallo had played the season at loose head for Montpellier. Regardless of the side of the front-row, Figallo was tremendous in the Top 14 and played in a final for the club.

2 Agustín Creevy (Montpellier) Originally contracted to Biarritz as a flanker, Agustín Creevy converted to hooker in his 20’s and returned to France to have an exceptional two seasons with Montpellier. It changed his career, making him one of the best hookers of the decade. It also saw him becoming Argentina’s most capped player, included the captaincy and three RWCs.

3 Francisco Gómez Kodela (Biarritz, Bordeaux, Lyon) When it comes to the essentials of tight head prop duty, Francisco Gómez Kodela ticks all of the boxes. It is in the scrum where he has made the largest impact over recent seasons in Lyon. Coaching priorities saw him missing out on opportunities since an following the Daniel Hourcade years at Los Pumas.

4 Manuel Carizza (Biarritz, Racing 92) A player with excellent tackling tackled and force to go with it, Manuel Carizza was one of Argentina’s most improved players during the years between RWCs 2007 and 2015. He was a European Champions Cup runner-up with two clubs and a Top 14 champion with Racing 92. Mysteriously, Daniel Hourcade left him out of RWC 2015; a decision which continues to not make sense.

5 Patricio Albacete (Toulouse, Racing 92) French-based from 2003-2018, Patricio Albacete is remembered for all the right reasons. A French and European champion with Toulouse, Albacete held down a starting spot at Toulouse for years on end when the club was the best in France and Europe. During the 2010-2019 decade, Albacete won the Champions Cup in 2010 and the Top 14 in 2011 and 2012.

6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Lyon) Santiago del Estero has become famous as a factory for Pumas flankers. The first of the RWC 2007-2019 back-rowers from the city was Juan Manuel Leguizamón. He has played all over the world, including four years at Lyon. There he played in both the Top 14 and Pro D2.

7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Toulon) A Top 14 champion in 2014 and a European Champions Cup champion in 2013, 2014, and 2015, Corcho had titles to support his reputation as one of the all-time greats. His leadership skills and command in the lineout were outstanding as too was his defense, ball-carrying and breakdown work.

8 Facundo Isa (Lyon, Toulon) An explosive season in 2018-2019 saw Facundo Isa marked down as a sure selection for RWC 2019. Priority placed in Jaguares resulted in him missing out and with it a leading ball-carrier.

9 Nicolás Vergallo (Dax, Toulouse, Lyon) Argentina’s starting scrum-half from RWC 2011 played in four French clubs in total, doing so in multiple divisions. He was a part of the Toulouse champions in 2011 an 2012 and of the Lyon side which won the Pro D2 in 2014.

10 Benjamín Urdapilleta (Oyonnax, Castres) A move from the English Premiership to the Pro D2 changed the career of Benjamín Urdapilleta for the better. He helped the club win promotion to the Top 14 and then reach the play-off’s for the first time in club history. His move to Castres in 2015 resulted in him going all the way to win the Top 14 and earn his way into starting for his country at RWC 2015.

11 Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Initially signed by Racing 92 as a medical joker, Juan Imhoff The leading try-scorer from the Americas in the Champions Cup. Imhoff has appeared in finals in both France and Europe, winning the 2016 Top 14 final in Barcelona. despite not being a Puma since 2015, his impact is evident with the style of play of wingers to have come through at Jaguares.

12 Juan Martín Hernández (Racing 92, Toulon) Without question, Juan Martín Hernández was Argentina’s most naturally gifted player of his generation. El Mago won Top 14 titles with Stade Français in 2004 and 2007 and in the 2010-2019 decade won the Champions Cup with Toulon.

13 Marcelo Bosch (Biarritz) Signed from Argentina at the age of 22, Marcelo Bosch was a fly half who became a world-class outside center based on the needs of Biarritz in 2010. The move saw him settling in quickly and going to to be a complete player in the position. The move caught the eye of rival clubs and a successful move followed to Saracens.

14 Lucas González Amorosino (Montpellier, Oyonnax) Following his heroics against Scotland in RWC 2011, Lucas González Amorosino had the attention of defenses. His two seasons at Montpellier following the tournament saw him at his destructive best. Able to run from deep, the Pucará product was a constant in highlights packages.

15 Martín Bustos Moyano (Montpellier, Bayonne) A hero in Bayonne, Martín Bustos Moyano’s boot is directly responsible for the club winning promotion from the Pro D2 to the Top 14. He joined the Basque side in 2013, doing so from Montpellier whom he played for in a Top 14 Final.