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Los Ceibos have come and gone. The team is no more as the UAR decided that Los Jaguares will play in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) as the one and only Argentine franchise. The decision sees the disintegration of Los Ceibos.
The UAR had sought a competition for Los Jaguares. Many considerations, none more so than geography, meant that there was no professional league in which the Argentine Super Rugby franchise could join.
Mario Ledesma was concerned about his test players not having anywhere to play. Due to the 2020 player exodus more than most now play abroad. In October all parties were interested in Los Jaguares joining SLAR. The idea was for Ceibos and Jaguares to play in the competition.
There will not be two Argentine teams in the 2021 SLAR. Los Ceibos will cease to exist in a matter of days. It comes as the UAR acted to protect its brand name. This sees the private investment from Rosario businessman Fernando Riccomi sacrificed.
Riccomi had a long-term contract; Los Ceibos were secure of a place in SLAR until 2026. Under the arrangement Riccomi was responsible for the logistics and finances of Los Ceibos. He had the team based at Tala RC in Córdoba. Meanwhile the UAR was responsible for the sporting factors; namely, the players.
Not only has the Jaguars brand received preference over the Ceibos brand, but the same is true of the players. Those under UAR contracts who do not secure contracts abroad will take the place of athlete who were 2020 Ceibos.
There are already instances wherein this has happened. All three 2020 scrum halves have joined rival SLAR teams. For instance, Leopoldo Herrera has joined the Olímpia Lions. This like opens a spot for Sebastián Cancelliere. Gonzalo García will play for Los Cafeteros Pro, and Olímpia has recruited Joaquín Pellandini and Ignacio Inchauspse. Felipe Ezcurra and Gonzalo Bertranou will play for Los Jaguares in SLAR.
There are four players in doubt. Juan Cruz Mallía, Joel Sclavi, Mayco Vivas, and Juan Pablo Zeiss all have offers from abroad. If any deal is not finalized in the coming days that player will join the Argentine SLAR team.
