Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Juan Imhoff scored a second half try against Montpellier on Sunday. The score was part of a dominant display as Racing 92 romped to a 26-0 hammering over the Top 14 leaders.
The Rosario speedster was replacement for the Parisian club. He came on to demonstrate why he is undeniably Argentina’s finest winger. His try was from within Racing 92’s own half. Teammate Joe Rokocoko kicked the ball ahead with Imhoff chasing. he out sprinted three Montpellier players to get to the ball, chip it again, gather it and score.
The win sees Racing 92 joining Lyon in joint 3rd position in the Top 14. After eleven rounds the two clubs have 33 points. Montpellier hold top spot with 37 while La Rochelle are in second with 35. In 5th position are Toulouse with 35 points. Such is the competitiveness of the Top 14 season that all points are likely to count.
Imhoff’s involvement with the club blocks him from playing international duty. The UAR policy reserves spots for Jaguares and other Argentine-based players. In 2017 Tomás Cubelli was the only player based abroad to play test rugby. His two years for the Brumbies in Australia have since ended.
In place of Imhoff Daniel Hourcade has used Emiliano Boffelli, Sebatián Cancelliere, Santiago Cordero, Juan Pablo Estelles, Lucas González Amorosino, Matías Moroni, Manuel Montero, Ramiro Moyano, Matías Orlando and Germán Schulz as his wingers in 2016 and 2017. No players have been able to score at the same rate as Imhoff. His hat-trick against South Africa in 2015 remains a first ever by any player in history.
Pressure is on the UAR to reconsider the policy and have Imhoff and others return to Los Pumas in 2018. Since Rugby World Cup 2015 Argentina have struggled to play to the same levels as those displayed in 2015. Officially the UAR has given Head Coach, Daniel Hourcade, to nominate players he wants from Europe and select them. Yet the preference of Argentine-based players continues.
