The Jaguares 2020 Player Exodus

COVID-19 has changed the script for Argentina rugby; an outcome is the Jaguares 2020 player exodus. Players have departed to continue their careers abroad. Twenty-three 2020 Jaguares have signed for foreign teams.

Jaguares 2020 Exodus

The movement of players can be described as nothing less than a player exodus. The list of departing forwards is large; players for all positions have been signed.

The long-lasting top two choice hookers have both departed. Agustín Creevy joined London Irish and Julián Montoya is on his way to the Western Force. Loose head prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro is on his way to the Bristol Bears. Tight head prop Santiago Medrano will join Montoya at the Force in Super Rugby AU.

The second-row seen further departures. Matías Alemanno now plays for Gloucester, Marcos Kremer for Stade Français, Guido Petti for Bordeaux, and Lucas Paulos arrived this month at Brive.

Kremer played at second-row and flanker in the Tri Nations. Three Jaguares who joined him in the back-row have recently secured their playing futures abroad. Tomás Lezana is on his way to the Western Force, Rodrigo Bruni to Vannes, and Santiago Grondona to the Newcastle Falcons.

Scrum-half Tomás Cubelli and fly half Domingo Miotti are also joining the Western Force. Fellow fly half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla moved to the Leicester Tigers. A third fly half, Santiago González Iglesias is joining the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Three long-serving Jaguares mid-fielders are also involved in the exodus. Matías Moroni is playing for the Leicester Tigers, Matías Orlando is now at the Newcastle Falcons, and Jerónimo de la Fuente has arrived at Perpignan.

Five outside backs complete the confirmed departures. Bautista Delguy now plays for Bordeaux, Santiago Carreras for Gloucester, and Joaquín Tuculet is on his way to the Toronto Arrows. In addition, Emiliano Boffelli is joining Racing 92 and Mateo Carreras the Newcastle Falcons.

The Jaguares 2020 player exodus follows five departures from 2019. Tomás Lavanini joined the Leicester Tigers, Pablo Matera and Nicolás Sánchez moved to Stade Français, Ramiro Moyano to Toulon, and Enrique Pieretto to the Exeter Chiefs. All five were involved in the 2019 Super Rugby Final.

More to follow?

There are additional transfer rumors. Toulouse are also rumored to be interested in Juan Cruz Mallía. The Córdoba center’s name has been linked to the French giants.

Santiago Chocobares is another name linked to a Pacific Ocean Super Rugby franchise. The 2020 rookie has been rumored to be joining the Blues. Such a move would make him the one Argentine player in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

The Melbourne Rebels are interested in Argentine forwards. Tight head prop Lucio Sordoni and second-rower Ignacio Calás have finalized deals to play for the Australian Super Rugby franchise.

And Ceibos?

The player exodus is not limited to Los Jaguares. Ceibos players have also departed Argentina. Center and captain Lucas Mensa now plays for Valence Romans in the Pro D2, N8 Santiago Montagner joined Mont de Marsan, and hooker Pablo Dimcheff joined Charente. In addition, winger Facundo Cordero plays for the Exeter Chiefs.

There are further departing players. Ceibos flanker Conrado Roura has signed for the Dallas Jackals. Former Jaguar Bautista Ezcurra signed for fellow MLR side Rugby ATL. Lastly, former Jaguar and Olímpia Lions winger Manuel Montero will play north of the border with Joaquín Tuculet for the Toronto Arrows.