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Benetton pulled-off a shock upset win on Saturday. The Italians were 32-25 winners over two-time former European Champions Cup winners La Rochelle. The match-winner was Argentine; uncapped hooker Bautista Bernasconi was a 49th minute replacement. He scored a 66th minute try. Neither side scored again after the conversion.
Bernasconi and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro were both replacements for Benetton. The latter entered in the 68th minute to replace first-choice Pumas loose head prop, Thomas Gallo. Two Argentines also started for Benetton in the backs. Juan Ignacio Brex played outside center and Tomás Albornoz played fly half. Brex is a completely homegrown Argentine who plays for Italy. Albornoz kicked eight points in the win over La Rochelle.
Albornoz had a breakthrough year for Los Pumas in 2024. The 27-year-old was prominent in wins over Australia in Santa Fe, South Africa in Santiago del Estero and Italy in Udine. He has 17 caps. Gallo was a contact for Los Pumas and has many, many cpas ahead of him. He presently has 35 test caps for Los Pumas.
Tetaz Chaparro has 78 caps, the most by any Pumas prop in history. He was injured in the lead-up to Rugby World Cup 2023 and missed all international duty in 2024. He and Bernasconi are pushing for opportunities under Felipe Contepomi in 2025. Bernasconi trained with Los Pumas in 2024 but remains uncapped.
A busy 2025 awaits Los Pumas. The thirteen test matches are certain to see current and uncapped players considered. Bernasconi trained with captain Julián Montoya and understudy Ignacio Ruiz ahead of the 2024 November Internationals. The busy schedule for the new year combined with the form of Bernasconi and the retirement of Agustín Creevy suggest the try scorer against La Rochelle is a Puma hooker in waiting.
