Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Argentina’s second professional rugby team is Los Ceibos. The team will compete in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby and will play home matches in the country’s second largest city, Córdoba.
The team name Los Ceibos comes from the Spanish for Erythrina crista-galli. It is a tree of national significance for Argentina.
Head Coach: Los Ceibos are coached by Ignacio Fernández Lobbe. The 45-year-old had an impressive professional career of his own. He played for there Sale Sharks, Bath and the Northampton Saints in the English Premiership; and for Bordeaux and Castres in the Top 14. For his country he earned 65 caps, 13 of which were from RWCs 1999, 2003 and 2007.
CAPTAIN: Los Ceibos will likely be changing the captaincy during the SLAR. The warm-up matches saw the team led by Lucas Mensa, a player freed to play SLAR due to an oversupply of fit inside centers at Los Jaguares. Mensa has two caps for Argentina, the second of which came at RWC 2019 against England.
STAR PLAYER: Like many on the roster, Mensa has been a regular for the Argentina XV. One to already have played Super Rugby in 2020 is Tomás Albornoz. The 22-year-old from Tucumán is highly skilled and Los Jaguares’ loss is Los Ceibos gain. He will be back at Los Jaguares, but until then the SLAR has a genuine talented fly half who is likely to be in the frame for selection for RWC 2023.
SMART SIGNING: Mateo Carreras is out of the season opener. Were he fit then he may be regarded as the smart signing. However, had he been fit chances are that Los Jaguares would want him covering for the injured Bautista Delguy. Fellow winger Leopoldo Herrera is another of vast potential, yet the name that stands out is Franco Molina. He has the height, weight and abilities that fit the description of a Pumas second-rower. The hometown player is one who looms as being a stand-out performer for Los Ceibos.
ONE TO WATCH: N8 Santiago Montagner has previously been very close to an opportunity with Los Jaguares. Another who looms as an option is Juan Bautista Daireaux. Despite having impressed as a u20s fly half, his performances thus far at fullback suggest that this may be where he long-term future is. This alone is reason to pay close attention to him in 2020. He will also certainly ask plenty of questions of the defense.
OUTLOOK: This team has a strong player roster. It contains no shortage of names who will be playing for Los Jaguares in 2021. Some, such as Albornoz, will get Super Rugby game time in 2020. The team gives Argentina a new foundation from which to develop talent for the international stage. In the SLAR Los Ceibos enter as favorites for the inaugural title. Peñarol are expected to be Los Ceibos’ toughest opponent.
For further information click here to access the ARN Súper Liga Americana de Rugby page.
