Two of six Argentine players to join Selknam have now been identified. Following former Pumas back row Rodrigo Bruno, Argentina XV scrumhalf Patricio Baronio will also join the Chilean franchise for the inaugural Súper Liga Americana de Rugby season.
Baronio was selected to Los Pumitas for two consecutive World Rugby u20 Championship tournaments. Prior to his second he was drafted into the Argentina squad for the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship, playing as a replacement against Brazil. The Jockey de Rosario product has also represented his region in the regional Campeonato Argentino.
The signing of an Argentine scrumhalf is not a surprise. Chile’s selections at No9 in recent years have been inconsistent and potential starter Marcelo Torrealba has opted to instead return to Austin Elite in Major League Rugby. Beltrán Vergara started for Los Cóndores in their only November test against Portugal.