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Argentina center Joaquín Riera will continue playing in Italy and in the United Rugby Championship (URC). Benetton have re-signed the former Los Pumas 7’s player on a new contract until 2024.
Riera has been playing for Benetton since 2019. he joined the URC team following three seasons with Petrarca Padova and he also previously played for L’Aquila.
Riera is a product of Los Tarcos Rugby Club in his native San Miguel de Tucumán. The same club also produced Pumas Luis Molina and Pablo Buabse; both of whom played in Rugby World Cups. Los Tarcos also produced current Newcastle Falcons and Pumas winger Mateo Carreras.
The 28-year-old Riera is 1.82m tall and weighs 90kg. He is uncapped by Argentina but played in the 2014 Junior World Championship and also played Rugby Sevens for Argentina on the world circuit. Changes to the player eligibility laws in 2021 mean that Riera is now eligible to change allegiance and play for Italy.
Two of Riera’s teammates at Benetton are Argentines capped by Italy. Juan Ignacio Brex has two Six Nations campaigns to his name while Ivan Nemer has one. Italy could add Riera and Argentine hooker Tomás Baravalle to their roster this year. Benetton is also home to Pumas props Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Thomas Gallo and uncapped fly half Tomás Albornoz.
