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Paraguay’s professional rugby team have unveiled their captain for Super Rugby Americas 2024. The new skipper will be second-rower Mariano Garcete. Head Coach Ricardo de La Fort has chosen a player who has a wealth of experience in the league and has been highly consistent.
Click here to access the Yacare Season Guide for Super Rugby Americas 2024.
Mariano Garcete has made 31 appearances in prior additions of Super Rugby Americas and the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) for Yacare and the Olímpia Lions. ARN named Garcete in the 2023 Super Rugby Americas All-Stars. He and Lautaro Simes of Los Dogos were the All-Stars second-row.
Garcete will lead the team as captain while he will have an official understudy. Axel Zapata has been named as the vice captain. Zapata comes from the SITAS club in Buenos Aires. The hooker is returning to South America after two years playing for the Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby (MLR).
Además, el argentino Axel Zapata, surgido de SITAS, será el subcapitán. El hooker viene de jugar los últimas dos años en Houston SaberCats de la Major League Rugby y retornará al elenco paraguayo, donde ya disputó 12 cotejos y facturó una conquista.
Zapata previously played for the Olímpia Lions in SLAR. He was a leading figure for the Paraguayans. His performances coincide with international honors. Despite being uncapped, Zapata has played for the Argentina XV.
Yacare’s season opens against Los Pampas on Saturday, February 17. It is a match between two Semi Finalists from Super Rugby Americas 2023. Garcete and Zapata will be part of a large forward pack; de La Fort is known for selecting heavy scrums.
