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Argentine players are officially being encouraged to take up offers from abroad. The change in stance from the UAR comes as the crushing reality of COVID-19 is clear – Los Jaguares are out of Super Rugby.
The players were told in April that they would have no further Super Rugby again in 2020. On May 31 center and captain Jerónimo de la Fuente revealed to ESPN Argentina the severity of the situation that he and his teammates are facing:
“The reality is that we don’t know what the future of Jaguares is going to be.”
Further information has emerged in the 24 hours since his interview. The updates underline that plans are advanced for an altered form of Super Rugby, effectively domestic tournaments in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
de la Fuente himself hinted at knowing that this may well be the case. He told ESPN Argentina that:
“It is tough to imagine that Jaguares will not exist next year.”
Jerónimo de la Fuente is off contract with the UAR at the end of 2020. The same applies to fellow Jaguars originals lock Matías Alemanno and center Matías Moroni.
The trio could well all be playing in Europe when the 2020-2021 club season begins. Alemanno has already been linked to a move to the Leicester Tigers. This would see him reuniting with Tomás Lavanini and give the club a new second-rower, fulfilling a vacancy that the team officially has.
More players are subject to transfer rumors. One is that of hooker Julián Montoya to Gloucester or the Leicester Tigers. Gloucester previously tries to sign Montoya in 2018, only for him to remain at Los Jaguares where he is under contract until December 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 calamity, if he has an offer from the UK, he is advised by the UAR to take it.
de la Fuente himself is reportedly among those well-positioned to depart Argentina. No clear destination has been highlighted at this point in time, though ARM understands that there are offers from France.
Another linked to France is Emiliano Boffelli. Racing 92 are rumored to be interested in the Jaguares fullback. The club is home to Juan Imhoff, an Argentine player from the same club as Boffelli- Rosario’s Duendes.
Los Jaguares also has many players who previously played in Europe or names who were offered deals in Europe but remained at home. Two such instances are Guido Petti and Marcos Kremer. Both may now be in high demand as will probably be the case for Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada. It is understood that all are now free to depart Los Jaguares.
