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The Olímpia Lions will be one of six competitors in the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). The Asunción-based side is the one Paraguayan team. The 30-man roster is dominated by Argentines; there are 19 Argentine players and 11 Paraguayans. The team is one of three returning teams from the inaugural season.
OLÍMPIA LIONS HEAD COACH:
Raúl Pérez will be in charge of the Olímpia Lions. The 55-year-old was both a Pumas player and assistant coach. He earned 21 caps for Argentina from 1992-1999. His regular position was flanker. He was exclusively an amateur player for Duendes. He turned to coaching after retirement. This was initially fo Duendes in 2001. He subsequently coached Rosario before entering the international stage. He would coach Argentina U21 in 2007-2008 and the Argentina XV in 2009. Daniel Hourcade promoted him to become an assistant coach for Los Pumas in 2013. He was a part of the staff for the team that reached the Semi Finals at RWC 2015. He coached os Jaguares in Super Rugby in 2016-2017. He now holds a duo-role of coaching Paraguay’s test side and SLAR team.
CAPTAIN
The Olímpia Lions are captained by Axel Zapata. The 28-year-old is a vastly experienced hooker with plenty of experience for Argentina’s next-of-XV, the Argentina XV. Zapata was also an Olímpia Lion in 2020. He started at hooker in the one match that took place before the season was suspended.
STAR PLAYER
More than half of the Olímpia Lions roster consists of Argentine players. Many of them have represented the Argentina XV; Axel Zapata is a case in point. Another name of note is Javier Díaz. The 25-year-old Díaz played three test matches for Argentina in June 2018. He played against Wales and Scotland for Los Pumas’ mid-year home internationals. His selection followed impressive performances in Super Rugby for Los Jaguares.
KEY DEPARTURE
Manuel Montero will not be back for the Olímpia Lions in 2021. La Pantera now plays for the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby. Montero exploded onto the scene straight out of Argentina’s u20 program. After a brief and dominant stay with Los Pumas on the World Sevens Series he made his test debut against Uruguay in May of 2012. A torrid run with 14 tries in 21 tests ended with a serious knee injury that knocked Montero out of Rugby World Cup 2015. He returned in style the following June with tries against Italy and France, but injuries continued to be a problem and Montero’s test run would end in September 2017 against Australia. A lengthy recovery period followed.
SMART SIGNING
Structure is the centerpiece of any professional rugby team. One position is often not appreciated for its true value is scrum-half. The Olímpia Lions have done in their homework in this area. The Paraguayans have signed two players of great potential from south of the border. Both Joaquín Pellandini, and Ignacio Inchauspe are in the frame for international duty. They were both on Los Ceibos roster for the 2020 SLAR season.
ONE TO WATCH
Of the Argentina XV players Lucas Santa Cruz is one whose name will be in consideration for test duty. He was a Ceibos flanker in 2020. He debuted in the round two victory over Selknam in Santiago. He is both tall enough and heavy enoiugh to play in the second-row. However, his mobility means that he is arguably best suited to flanker. In all likelihood he will play on the side of the scrum and be central to the back-row starting formation.
STRENGTHS
The high supply of Argentine players will help not harm the Olímpia Lions. The Paraguayans on the roster will benefit tremendously from their imported teammates. The match day line-up will be dominatged by Argentines; however, there will be room for Paraguayans in the starting line-up. Diego Argaña and Renato Cardona are two Paraguayans who ought to feature often. In addition the Gómez Vara’s (Jerónimo, Matías and Rodrigo) are Argentines who qualify for Paraguay via ancestry. Rodrigo Gómez Vara has already been capped by Paraguay.
CONCERNS
The Cobras Brasil XV roster is very different to that of the Olímpia Lions. The Brazilian team is that of a Jaguares side; a team to prepare the test players for international duty. Paraguay fell during the RWC 2015-2019 cycle. Colombia is made history with not one but three wins over Paraguay. Targetting the RWC 2023 qualifiers is not top of the Paraguayan agenda. Instead, having a competitive Olímpia Lions team is in the best interests of Paraguay.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK
The roster meets the immediate and future needs of Paraguayan rugby. Players will be developed for the purpose of representing the test team. The roster also contains eligibile players who are likely to boost Paraguay and play in the RWC 2023 qualifiers in June. The Olímpia Lions roster is defintely capable of winning matches. The team ought to be competitive in the competition. A place in the Semi Finals is possible, though such an achievement will require a very solid campaign.
For further information click here to access the ARN Súper Liga Americana de Rugby page.
