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Peñarol have signed Felipe Etcheverry. In doing so the Uruguayan fly half returns for Super Rugby Americas 2025 from the Miami Sharks. Etcheverry played for the Floridian Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise in the 2024 season.
The 28-year-old Etcheverry is an important player for Uruguay. He was the starting Teros fly half throughout Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. He started against France in Lille, Italy in Nice, and against both Namibia and New Zealand in Lyon.
Rugby World Cup 2023 was the second for Etcheverry. He featured as the replacement fly half to Felipe Berchesi at the 2019 tournament in Japan. He came off the bench to play fullback in the famous win over Fiji in Kamaishi and was also a replacement against Australia in Oita.
Berchesi was the starting fly half at Rugby World Cup 2019 and also at 2015. The fact that Etcheverry was preferred to Berchesi for France 2023 is of no means a minor detail; Berchesi is Uruguay’s all-time leading point scorer in Rugby World Cups and for Uruguay overall.
Berchesi has retired from international duty. Etcheverry played in July though sat out the November Internationals. In place of Etcheverry, Ignacio Álvarez started against Spain while Ícaro Amarillo started against Japan and Romania. The decision ton select youth came with Juan Zuccarino out for the year following surgery.
The fact that Uruguay blooded new playmakers in 2024 places Los Teros in an improved position for 2025. Uruguay will play home matches in July and face Argentina away in preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
Etcheverry’s return to Peñarol from the Miami Sharks does not guarantee him of holding down the starting spot at fly half. New Peñarol Head Coach Ivo Dugonjic will have the liberty to rotate.
The pieces are coming together to suggest an optimistic 2025 for Los Teros. In addition to Etcheverry, starting Uruguayan hooker Guillermo Pujadas has signed for Peñarol from the Chicago Hounds. The roster for Super Rugby Americas 2025 is due to be announced in the coming days. Ignacio Péculo is rumored to also be leaving MLR for Peñarol.
