Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
A top Argentine scrum-half is in danger of missing out on Rugby World Cup 2023. Gonzalo García was injured this past weekend playing in the European Challenge Cup. He requires surgery; he left the field in the 78th minute in Zebre’s 24-21 loss against Toulon.
García tore the cruciate ligaments in his right knee. The injury is the second this year for the Tucumán scrum-half. The 23-year-old underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year. It took place after he had been named on Michael Cheika’s first roster of the year to face Scotland in July.
The three scrum-halves selected were Tomás Cubelli, Gonzalo García and the uncapped Lautaro Bazán Vélez. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Bertranou and the uncapped Eliseo Morales were named on the Argentina XV roster to tour Portugal and Georgia.
Changes saw García forced out to undergo surgery and his spot being taken by Bertranou. Capped Puma Felipe Ezcurra joined the Argentina XV roster. Bertranou went on to be the regular starting scrum-half for Argentina in 2022.
García’s latest injury is a set-back to World Cup planning. Three scrum-halves are likely to be on the roster for the World Cup. García is evidently well-positioned to be strongly considered.
For García France 2023 will be the firm objective. He faces a race against time; he may not be back in time to play again for Zebre in the Challenge Cup or the United Rugby Championship (URC) this season. The club will not be looking to field him early; he only played two matches after recovering from his shoulder surgery before suffering his latest blow.
Argentina’s next scheduled test match will be in the 2023 Rugby Championship. Los Pumas presently have four matches confirmed prior to the World Cup. García will need to aim to be fit to play in the July 08, 2023 match in order to be considered for the World Cup roster.
