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A Copa Rioplatense is now more than a strong possibility. Test matches between the neighboring South American countries used to be common but in recent times it has been Uruguay facing the Argentina XV. Uruguay’s progress see a new outlook and a readiness for the challenge. In short, Uruguay has let go of the fear of playing against Los Pumas.
The information comes from an interview conducted by Uruguayan Rugby Expert Ignacio Chans. He spoke with the Uruguayan Rugby’s (URU) High Performance Director Guzman Barreiro about a range of themes including the World Cup review, the future and a test match between Uruguay and Argentina.
Chans asked Barreiro is the time is now right for an annual test match between Uruguay and Argentina. Barreiro responded:
“Without doubt and we have always had these conversations because Argentina has always offered us open doors, has always greeted us with open arms and has helped us. I think that it will happen in the coming future.
“Indeed, there have ben talks and hopefully it can be confirmed in the coming weeks or months. I haven’t received confirmation yet, but we know that Argentina always opens their doors to us and tries to find ways to help us and I hope we can make it happen.”
Uruguay does play Argentina in annual competition but not in test matches. Matches have been against the next-of-XV, the Argentina XV since 2015. Uruguay faced the Argentina XV fifteen times from 2015-2023. The overall results were 9 Argentina XV wins, 5 Uruguay wins and 1 draw.
The most recent Uruguay vs Argentina XV match was a Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up fixture. Los Teros impressed with a 33-13 home win in Montevideo. World Cup players Germán Kessler, Manuel Ardao, Lucas Bianchi and Felipe Berchesi were try scorers. The Argentina XV was based on Super Rugby Americas players.
ARN identifies 38 prior fixtures between Argentina and Uruguay which constitute capped test matches. The most recent capped test match between Uruguay and Argentina took place in Paysandú, Uruguay in 2014. Argentina were 65-9 winners. The first test match was in 1951 with Argentina winning 62-0 in Tucumán.
The 2014 match included some players who have gone on to have outstanding careers. Tomás Cubelli captained a side that also contained Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Matías Alemanno, Tomás Lavanini, Julián Montoya, Javier Ortega Desio, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Matías Orlando and Santiago Cordero. Will 2024 see many of these Pumas playing for Argentina against Los Teros in Montevideo?
