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Chile’s first professional rugby team is Selknam. The team name sees a unique identity; one that is absent from existing Chilean sport. Selknam were a native people of South America, specifically from the Patagonian regions of Chile and Argentina. They were among the final native groups to be encountered by European settlers.
Head Coach: Selknam are coached by Pablo Lemoine. The 45-year-old has vital experience as a player and as a coach. He played for Uruguay in RWCs 1999 and 2003 and was the Head Coach in RWC 2015. He was not only one of Uruguay’s first professional players, but he also played for a long time in notable environments including Bristol, Stade Français and Montauban.
CAPTAIN: Selknam’s inaugural season sees Mr. Reliable, Ignacio Silva as the skipper. The back-row forward has been around the scene for a long time, playing both Sevens and seniors for Los Cóndores. He has 33 test caps and is equally at home at N8 or flanker.
STAR PLAYER: The way in which rugby has evolved in recent times has seen a cycle completed. This cycle has seen the importance of scrums in South America eroded only to come full-circle to now be paramount once again. This is expected to continue over the coming decade. Selknam tight-head Matías Dittus is very strong in this area. He also has a solid all-around game.
SMART SIGNING: Chile have never qualified for a RWC. This is a void, when considering rivals teams and rosters. With this in mind the signing of Latiuma Fosita was shrewd. Not only has the Tongan appeared in two RWC tournaments, but he is also a talented footballer who can kick goals and play in a range of positions. Furthermore, at 27 he is in his prime.
ONE TO WATCH: If South American coaches have an issue in identifying talent for one position it is the second-row. Height has long been a factor as noted by flankers playing second-row for Uruguay in the past two RWCs. Selknam’s Javier Eissmann stands at 2.01m (6ft7) and is a strong ball-carrier. He has the means to be a stand-out performers in the 2020 SLAR.
OUTLOOK: This team has a good player roster for a rookie professional team. The players have been busy preparing for the SLAR and have been doing so with superior training facilities to anything previously known in Chile. Selknam ought to be an improved outfit compared to Chile from the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) during the RWC 2015-2019 cycle.
For further information click here to access the ARN Súper Liga Americana de Rugby page.
