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The Miami Sharks have looked to Argentina for both their first Head Coach and player signing. José Pellicena will take the top coaching job at the Major League Rugby expansion side in 2024, while current Pumas scrumhalf Tomás Cubelli will be confirmed as the team’s first signing on Wednesday.
Pellicena, 46, has previously been Head Coach of Argentina’s u20 side, known as the Pumitas, and has also served as an assistant with the senior Pumas under Mario Ledesma and the Jaguares Super Rugby side under Raúl Pérez. He was most recently a technical director with the UAR overseeing player development from under-18 to senior international level.
As a player, Pellicena suited up as a scrumhalf for La Plata before moving to Italy in 2002. He spent seven years as a professional with Overmach Parma, holding a starting role in Italy’s top division and also appearing in the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup.
Cubelli is a world-renowned scrumhalf with 89 test caps for Los Pumas since his debut in 2010. He remains part of the senior Argentina roster and is expected to be part of Michael Cheika’s squad for the upcoming World Cup in France.
A product of the Belgrano club in Buenos Aires, the 33-year-old’s professional resume is extensive. He has played Super Rugby with the Brumbies, Jaguares, and Western Force, and is currently in his second year with French club Biarritz.
The Sharks will hold a media conference on Wednesday evening at 8:30pm Eastern (5:30pm Pacific) to formally unveil Cubelli and their first jersey ahead of their new season. A live stream will be available on their Instagram and Twitter social media channels.
