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2018 was an abysmal year for the Argentina XV. There were disappointing results both in South America and elsewhere. Losses of note came against Georgia ‘A‘ and Brazil. On both occasions the Argentina XV started well only to be beaten. The meltdown defeat against Os Tupis was the definition of a train-wreck.
2018 marks a new beginning. This sees the Argentina XV with new coaches and a commitment from the UR to establishing a regular side. The chop and changing nature used from 2016-2018 frustrated many supporters and begged the question of what the team exists for.
The 2018 edition of the ARC saw the Argentina XV recording 4 wins and 1 defeat. The loss came in round one away to the USA who exposed a poorly prepared side to claim a 17-10 win. From there the Argentina XV improved to claim big wins over Chile, Canada, and Uruguay. In their final match, however, they were poor despite being 28-8 winners over Brazil.
RECENT FORM
Accusing the Argentina XV of complacency would be justified yet the lessons were not learned as the remainder of the year unfolded. A 64-3 win over Paraguay was followed by Brazil coming back from 30-3 down at half-time to win 36-33 in Buenos Aires. The Uruguay XV felt the fury of the Argentina Xv’s embarrassment as they were beaten 64-15 next up.
In June the Argentina XV were again inept. They started the Nations Cup in Uruguay with a 19-8 win in a terrible showing. They recovered to hammer the Fiji Warriors 75-15 only to lose 26-20 to Uruguay in their final match.
The Summer Cup followed in Georgia, a mini tour in which the Argentina XV were winless. First was the loss against Georgia ‘A’ and second saw Juan Imhoff captaining Racing 92 to a 14-8 win over his country.
A 36-31 defeat was next. It was against Samoa to open the Americas Pacific Challenge (APC). The Argentina XV won games two and three by downing Canada 54-5 and the USA 55-15. All of the APC fixtures were against the national ‘next of XV’.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
As in prior years the Argentina XV is a side containing Argentina’s leading domestic players not training with Los Jaguares. One player expected to graduate to the test arena at some point is Francisco Gorrissen. He together with Jerónimo Ureta and Franco Molina are leading forwards on the roster who all excel in their roles.
The roster is blessed with Gregorio del Prete, Felipe Ezcurra, and Manuel Nogués as scrum-halves. Any of them could make the step-up to Los Jaguares if required with the young Nogués having particular notoriety following his distribution and attacking play Los Pumitas.
There is also plenty of speed in the form of u20s graduates. Teo Castiglioni will ask plenty from the mid-field with Santiago Carreras potentially set to light up the tournament from fullback. Los Pumas 7’s star Matías Osadczuk joins wingers Julián Dominguez and Pablo Avellaneda to give the team some genuinely potent finishers.
VERDICT
Anything short of second spot will be a failure. Aiming for the tournament title will be the goal though achieving it will require something very special. The USA are the clear favorites for the title and that very fixture in round two is to be a focal point in the final standings of the tournament.
FIXTURES
| DATE | LOCAL | ET | OPPONENT | VENUE |
| Sat, Feb 2 | 17:00 | 15:00 | Brazil | Neuquén RC, Neuquén |
| Sat, Feb 9 | 17:00 | 15:00 | USA | Marabunta RC, Cipolletti |
| Sat, Feb 23 | 11:40 | 09:40 | Uruguay | Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires |
| Fri, Mar 1 | 19:10 | 22:10 | Canada | Westhills Stadium, Langford |
| Sat, Mar 9 | tbd | tbd | Chile | tba, Santiago |
SQUAD
FORWARDS: Marco Ciccioli (CASI), Javier Corvalán (Deportiva Francesa), Lucas Favre (Lomas), Martín Fernández Segurotti (Curupaytí), Nicolás Solveyra (CUBA), Gaspar Baldunciel (Alumni), José Luis González (Tucumán RC), Axel Zapata (SITAS), Franco Molina (Jockey Córdoba), Carlos Repetto (Hindú), Lucas Santa Cruz (Pucará), Jerónimo Ureta (Newman), Nicolás Walker (Curupaytí), Lautaro Bavaro (Hindú), Joaquín de la Vega (Newman), Francisco Gorrissen (Belgrano), Benito Ortíz de Rosas (CUBA), Santiago Portillo (Los Tarcos), Nicolás Sbrocco (Uni Tucumán)
BACKS: Gregorio del Prete (San Luis), Felipe Ezcurra (Hindú), Manuel Nogués (Atlético del Rosario), Martín Elías (Atlético del Rosario), Martín Roger (CASI), Teo Castiglioni (GE Rosario), Tomás Cubilla (Alumni), Lucas Mensa (Pucará), Agustín Segura (Jockey Córdoba), Pablo Avellaneda (Tucumán RC), Facundo Cúcolo (San Luis), Julián Domínguez (Pucará), Matías Osadczuk (SITAS), Santiago Carreras (Córdoba Athletic), Facundo Cordero (Regatas Bella Vista)
