I was recently pondering to myself – what would a fantasy match-up look like between Uruguay’s professional players from Peñarol and abroad? After some thought I decided that in the Uruguayan context the real question ought to be that of Peñarol vs the rest. That is to say a match …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 5, Iss 3): Argentina Wingers
On November 11 2006 Argentina were 25-18 winners over England in London. The starting wingers were José Maria Nuñez Piossek and Pablo Goméz Cora. Neither player featured at RWC 2007 with the latter player appearing in what was his fourth, and final, test match. In RWC 2007 Argentina’s wingers were …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 5, Iss 2): RWC Pools of 5 has Run Its Course
The Rugby World Cup pool system has a serious flaw. It is not only problematic but it is also highly controversial and non-sporting. While all teams competing at RWC 2019 will play four pool matches the manner in which they do so is vastly different. If you have already guessed …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 5, Iss 1): How Would a 24-Team RWC Operate?
The weekend’s test match results have given optimism to expanding the RWC from 20 to 24 teams. RWC 2019 competitors Canada and Russia suffered losses to non-RWC 2019 competitors, Brazil and Spain respectively. SPORTING Canada claimed the final spot at RWC 2019, doing so after having been sent into repechage …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 4, Iss 4): Revolution in South America
History was made in Medellín on Saturday. Colombia’s 44-29 victory over Paraguay saw Los Tucanes claiming their first ever win over Los Yákares. It was a day of celebration for Colombia and a day of reflection for Paraguay. Some 14 years after their first test match, Colombia achieved the impossible …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 4, Iss 3): Rugby’s U20’s Stock Exchange
Romania and Spain recently lost their RWC qualifying appeals. Both European countries and Belgium were disqualified from the RWC 2019 qualifying process by World Rugby for the fielding of ineligible players. Romania had fielded Sione Faka’osilea of Tonga in their matches only for it to be revealed that he was …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 4, Iss 2): Finding the Next Corcho and Contepomi
Argentina and Los Jaguares have highly talented players but do they have contemporary versions of Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe and Felipe Contepomi? Argentina has virtually always had some world class players. Mario Ledesma was considered by many as the best hooker in RWCs 1999 and 2007. Juan Martín Hernández and …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 4, Iss 1): End Automatic RWC Qualifying
2018 is now here and it is to start with more Rugby World Cup qualifiers. Canada play host to Uruguay on January 27 in Vancouver. Uruguay then host the reverse fixture on February 03 in Montevideo. The winner, on aggregate, will be Americas 2 and play in Pool D of …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 3: Iss 8): 2017 Crowds Boost RWC in Argentina
December is often a month of reflection for many. This holds true for Argentine rugby now more so than ever. It is a time in which the domestic professional and amateur players are into the off-season. Only a small group remain active – Los Pumas 7’s. The completion of the …
Read More »Forward Thinking (Vol 3, Iss 7): Ledesma’s First Act Should Be Captaincy
Mario Ledesma’s First Act Should be captaincy. As Head Coach of Los Jaguares Mario Ledesma’s first act should be naming a new Jaguares Captain. He ought to use Forward Thinking to identify and name a new leader. This is not to say that Agustín Creevy is a bad leader. To the …
Read More »