Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Los Cafeteros Pro will be one of six competitors in the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). The Medellín-based side is Colombia’s first professional rugby team. The 30-man roster contains 19 Colombians and 11 Argentines. Los Cafeteros Pro are an expansion side. The Colombian team did not feature in the inaugural SLAR season in 2020.
CAFETEROS PRO HEAD COACH
Los Cafeteros Pro are coached by Rodolfo Ambrosio. In 1985 he played his final match for Tala and moved to Italy. He was selected to play for Italy at RWC 1987 and made his test debut at fly half in the inaugural RWC match against New Zealand. After retirement he turned to coaching, doing so back in Córdoba. In 2000 he returned to Italy. He was head coach of Petrarca and Segni before once again returning to Argentina. He coached Los Pumitas at the 2014 Junior World Championship. In December 2014 he took charge as Head Coach of Brazil, a position he retained until December 2019. Ambrosio left the post as the most successful Brazilian coach in history. Under Ambrosio Brazil defeated the USA in 2016; Canada in 2017, and 2019; Belgium in 2017; Portugal in 2017, and 2019; the Argentina XV in 2018; and the Georgia XV in 2018.
CAPTAIN
Jhon Carlos Álvarez (Jhonca) will lead Los Cafeteros Pro. The second-rower / flanker is an established forward in Colombian rugby. Now a true veteran, the 34-year-old is a senior player. He takes on the responsibility after having been an important player in recent years for Los Tucanes. He played for Colombia in games including the 75-5 win over Ecuador in 2016; the 50-3 win over Peru in 2017; the 53-13 win over Venezuela in 2017; the 45-0 win over Mexico in 2018; the 71-7 win over Guyana in 2018; the 44-29 win over Paraguay in 2018; the 43-13 win over Paraguay in 2019; the 83-6 win over Cayman Islands in 2019. He also played in the non-capped matches against the Uruguay XV and the Argentina XV in 2019. In short, he has been a constant for Colombia and has earned the captaincy.
STAR PLAYER
Colombia’s record improved dramatically during the RWC 2015-2019 cycle. Los Tucanes went from playing against Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela to gaining three wins consecutive against Paraguay, a team Colombia had never previously beaten. Los Tucanes also delivered in multiple Americas Rugby Challenge (ARCh) tournaments. The championship winning team had players who went on to make the South American XV. In addition, players were signed by foreign teams. Peñarol signed three players in 2020. One of them is flanker Diver Ceballos. Standing at 1.97m (6ft5) The 24-year-old is a tall flanker. He is an explosive ball-carrier and excellent defender.
SMART SIGNING
Los Cafeteros Pro recruited some notable names from Argentina. Of them Gonzalo García was arguably the name that drew the most attention. The 22-year-old was the starting scrum-half for Los Ceibos in the 2020 SLAR. He converted his u20s form to the senior level. His passing and organization attracted praise. He was very close to being named by Mario Ledesma on Argentina’s roster for the 2020 Tri Nations. Had it not been for injury then he would almost surely having been selected and likely received game-time. He was a certainty for Los Jaguares XV this year. Instead, Los Cafeteros Pro recruited him first. In short, García is a Puma in the making.
ONE TO WATCH
Jhon Arley Urrutia is a small but quick winger and deadly finisher. His name regularly appearing on the scorer sheets for Los Tucanes. The 27-year-old was among the try scorers in Colombia’s ARCh title win against Paraguay in 2019. Earlier in the same tournament he scored in the 51-24 win over Mexico and the 83-6 win over the Cayman Islands. He also scored earlier in 2019 in the other meeting against Pargauay. His partner in crime in a number of Colombia’s wins was Alejandro Navarro. Both men are on the Colombian team’s SLAR roster.
STRENGTHS
The roster is well-constructed. That is to say, there is a good mixture of local talent and imports from Argentina. It is arguably of the correct level for the team. The roster is made up of Colombians across all positions. This is a recipe for success for Los Tucanes. Second-row is the only position with more than one Argentine player. Yet, the roster has cover from within. Álvarez, Ceballos and Danny Giraldo can all cover both second-row and flanker. Overall, for a first ever roster, Los Cafeteros Pro have done very well indeed.
CONCERNS
The late inclusion of Danny Giraldo is a genuine boost for the team. It will ease one concern, that of Argentine players holding down too many spots. In all likelihood there will be certain positions dominated by Argentines. One is fullback, wherein Facundo Ferrario and Facundo Pueyrredón are the two players covering the position. However, for a country debuting in professional sport the concerns surrounding local vs imports is minor.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK
As the only country not involved in 2020, Colombia’s team naturally have everything to prove. Los Cafeteros Pro enter the 2021 SLAR season as a team expected to be overpowered. However, there is reason to suggest that such a conclusion is premature. The balance of the roster, the team’s coach and international results in the 2020 South American Championship indicate that stereotypes are to be taken lightly. Los Cafeteros Pro should be competitive and secure wins in their rookie SLAR season.
For further information click here to access the ARN Súper Liga Americana de Rugby page.
