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Daniel Hourcade has a vision; his desire is for the Sùper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) to become South America’s Super Rugby. The former Head Coach of Argentina is now the High Performance Manager of Sudamérica Rugby.
During his time in charge of Los Pumas, Hourcade experienced highs and lows. On the one hand, he guided Argentina to the Semi Finals of RWC 2015, and defeated Australia and South Africa in the Rugby Championship. On the other hand, he exited his post following some of Argentina’s worst performances, their June 2018 home games against Wales and Scotland.
His love for the game is well-known. His desire for progress is directly connected to his position as Sudamérica Rugby’s High Performance Manager. In looking to the future, Hourcade notes that South American rugby is where is seeks to be.
Supporters tend to focus mainly on results. In contrast, the focus of Hourcade and Sudamérica Rugby is how the players and teams perform. Are teams from Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay able to compete against those from RWC competitors Argentina and Uruguay?
Hourcade believes that the indications are positive. In an interview on Sudamérica Rugby’s Twitch channel he said:
“We are standing where we intend to be. Talking about High Performance, which means not only preparation, but also the competition. If the level is low, the player’s level will not improve. It is fundamental. This is our VIP product and it is the carrot, the objective of everyone.”
One theme that continues to be talked about is the number of teams and the teams themselves. In 2019 Argentina’s one team was Los Ceibos. In 2020 that team is not involved; Los Jaguares XV replaced the side as Argentina’s competitor. There is hope that the team may be able to return following the pandemic.
There is also a desire for additional teams. Nacional was set to be Uruguay’s second team and plans for a second Chilean team have advanced. That team would likely be based in the southern city of Concepción. In other words, there are a number of possibilities including Chile, and Uruguay potentially having two teams each and Argentina two if not more.
Hourcade notes that expansion is on the table, albeith he does not want it to be rushed. He has argued for gradual expansion to ten teams.
“Because it has to be a desired product, it does not need to be easy for the player. So, we are going to make it grow. We are going to habe eight or ten teams, whatever it takes, but just the right amount.”
“First of all, consider the contest, it has to be done right, but knowing that this is far from what we really want: our regional tournament, our Super Rugby, everything. In the time that it will take, but in a way in which every country in the region can play at a very high level. We can make it happen, it will take time, but the idea is that it will improve every year.”
“As it grows, better sponsors will approach us, we will have better contracts, that will mean a higher level and one day we will have our product here at home with a good and competitive competition and we may truly have the conditions in place for countries to compete against Argentina, which is the benchmark in the region.”
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