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Joaquín Tuculet and the Unión Argentina de Rugby have parted ways. Following five years at Los Jaguares the fullback has ended his contract at the age of 31. His decision also sees him departing Argentina’s ongoing Rugby Championship preparations with immediate effect.
His decision to end his UAR contract is not retirement. To the contrary, ARN understands that he is in talks with foreign teams. A move to North America is now anticipated. Indeed, multiple Major League Rugby (MLR) clubs are interested in the star Puma.
A move north would not be Tuculet’s first foreign professional experience. He previously played for the Sale Sharks and Cardiff Blues (UK) in addition to Bordeaux and Grenoble (FR).
He returned to Argentina for Los Jaguares’ inaugural Super Rugby campaign in 2016. It was a homecoming for Argentina’s starting fullback from RWC 2015. From 2008-2010 he played for Argentina u19’s, u 20’s and Sevens. He joined the Pampas XV and then made his test debut for Argentina in 2012.
Tuculet won 56 caps for Argentina from 2012-2019. He was in winning efforts against Australia, Chile, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Tonga, the USA, and Wales. He featured in RWCs 2015 and 2019, appearing in six matches and scoring four tries. He was last capped in Argentina’s most recent test match; against the USA in Kumagaya, Japan last October.
His test career highlight was arguably his score against Ireland in Cardiff, Wales in RWC 2015. Two years later, in June 2017, he scored the official Try of the Year against England in Santa Fé.
Tuculet is from Los Tilos club in La Plata. The club has a rivalry with San Luis, the club that produced Agustín Creevy.
