Argentina is the only Rugby World Cup semi finalist to have never hosted a Rugby World Cup.
By 2023 Europe will have hosted four Rugby World Cup´s, Oceania three, Africa one, Asia one and the Americas zero.
French Top 14 club, Montpellier have signed Argentine international wniger, Lucas González Amorosino on a two year deal from Aviva Premiership side the Leicester Tigers. Amorosino left Buenos Aires club, Pucará in 2009 to link up with the English giants and scored the teams only try in the historical win over South Africa in November 2009. Despite impressing early on, the clubs preference of fielding aged players meant that despite Amorosino performing well at international level for Argentina, he was not getting as much game time as he should have with Leicester. His move to Montpellier will be a vast change of scenary as he trades an English club for a French club, an experienced championship side for a younger side showing immense progress. Leicester has many experienced players aged in their 30´s or late 20´s while Montpellier is packed with players in the early to mid 20´s.
Lucas González Amorosino is certain to feature for Argentina at Rugby World Cup 2011 as will his team mates from his future club, Montpellier. He will be joining three Argentine players in prop Juan Figallo, inside centre Santiago Fernández and uncapped winger Martín Bustos Moyano. He will also link up with USA Eagles international winger Seta Tuilevuka and French international flyhalf François Trinh-Duc to form a youthful backline but one packed with World Cup players. Amorosino looks set to play 11 for Argentina at the World Cup after impressing in 2010 when he set up Argentina´s win over Italy with a clever kick and chase.
One of the players to watch out for at the upcoming USA Rugby Sevens is 18 year old Canadian winger, Taylor Paris who made his debut for Canada at the young age of 17. After impressing for Canada in Sevens he was included in the Ontario Blues for the 2010 Canadian Rugby Championship where he impressed for the Toronto based side. This led to his inclusion in the senio mens squad and he was selected for Canada´s 2010 European tour in which he started on the wing for tests vs Belgium and Spain. He scored two tries vs Spain in what was Canada´s best performance of the year.
A video interview of Taylor Paris appeared recently on the official site or Canadian Rugby, http://www.rugbycanada.ca/, in which Scrum TV hostess Lallie Chapman talked with Paris about his arrival in his country´s lineup at the age of 17. Paris appears to be a very talented rugby player who should indeed play for Canada at Rugby World Cup 2011 and has a professional career in front of him.
For the first time ever, Mexico´s Sevens team will compete on the biggest Sevens stage of them all - the Hong Kong Sevens. Mexico´s team, nick-named Los Serpientes, are one of four countries from the Americas who will play in the event. The inclusion of Mexico is a further indication of the growth of rugby in the Americas as the region continues to produce more competitive sides with regularity. The inclusion of Mexico marks the first time since 2006 that a debutant team will have competed. Spain and Malaysia are the other sides added but they have both participated in previous editions of the Hong Kong sevens.
The 2011 Pan American Games will be held in the second largest Mexican city, Guadalajara and the IRB considers Mexico´s participation in this years Hong Kong Sevens as being excellent preperation. The event will run over a three day period from March 25-27 at the 40,000 seater Hong Kong rugby stadium which has already been sold out in huge anticipation. Mexico will join Canada and the USA to give North American this sides while South America´s powerhouse, Argentina will fly the colours of South America.
The 24 participants:Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, England, Fiji, Francia, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, USA, Tonga, Wales and Zimbabwe.
Round 17 of the 2010-2011 French Top 14 kicked off on Wednesday night in central France as current champions Clermont hosted Racing Metro of Paris and continued their domination following a recent Heineken Cup victory at the same venue to win 31-15. French international scrumhalf Morgan Parra kicked 16 points to give his side a comfortable victory. Pumas hooker, Mario Ledesma returned from injury as he entered the field in the second half and Argentine born Italian international centre, Gonzalo Canale scored a try for the homeside. Pumas flyhalf, Juan Martín Hernández continues to rehabilitate from a long injury lay-off and gave the Los Pumas coaching staff good news as he played the full 80 minutes for Racing Metro and kicked two dropgoals. Argentine backrower, Alvaro Galindo also played for Racing Metro as he came on in the second half.
The traditional Paris powerhouses, Stade Français continued their difficulties which have taken place ever since Hernández left the club before the start of last season. Without El Mago, Stade Français have not been the same and have seriously lacked organization. They faced Castres in Castres on Thursday in what a few years ago would have been a regulation victory but was a difficult game for the Parisians and they were indeed overpowered as Castres won 34-12. Hernández´s replacement, Lionel Beauxis had another poor match as he looks anything other than a player sho should be at this years Rugby World Cup. Uruguayan international forward, Rodrigo Capó Ortega was on the bench for Castres while Stade Français had four Argentine internationals in the starting XV with Gonzalo Tiesi playing inside centre, Martín Rodriguez Guruchaga playing fullback, Juan Leguizamón playing in the back row and Rodrigo Roncero in the front row. the loss for Stade Français means they are in 9th spot when the should be in the top 4. They need to purchase a better flyhalf to replace Beauxis.
Two of the home Quarter Finalists from this seasons Heineken Cup went head-to-head in Biarritz on Thursday as Biarritz Olympique played host to Perpignan in what was one of the most unpredictable matches of the season. Perpignan were winning 21-0 after 20 minutes of play failed to score a point in the second half while Biarritz scored 23 which meant the homeside completed a miracle to win the match. Former Argentine international secondrower, Rimas Alvarez started in the secondrow for Perpignan while Pumas centre Marcelo Bosch played at 13 for Biarritz as he continues to play well as the World Cup approaches. He was the victim of two high tackles in this match which saw two Perpignan players yellow carded. Former Pumas hooker, Eusebio Guiñazú came on as a second half replacement for the home side and USA international winger Taku Ngwenya started at 14.
Top 14 strugglers, Brive played host to midtable side, Bayonne as they looked to get out of the relegation zone but were knocked over 26-18 as the visitors scored by tries and in general played better rugby. The win sees Bayonne advance towards a place in next seasons Heineken Cup and casts doubt over whether or not Brive will be able to stay in the Top 14. Former Pumas prop, Pablo Cardinali played for Briveas a second half replacement.
A very interesting match took place in Toulon as Toulon played host to a team the club knows veryw ell after facign off against them regularly in the Pro d2, La Rochelle. Despite all of Toulon´s talent and the clubs extensive squad, La Rochelle were leading 9-0 at half time follwoing flyhalf Felipe Contepomi and scrumhalf Pierre Mignoni both leaving the field hurt. Toulon managed to turn things around after the break, however, as they scored two second half tries which was enough for victory. Pumas backrower, Juan Martín Fernánde Lobbe played in the backrow for Toulon and uncapped Argentine frontrowers, Franco Pani and Andrés Bordoy both played for La Rochelle.
Lasts seasons other second divisiopn side now in the Top 14, Agen hosted the certain to be Pro d2 side next season, Bourgoin and notched up a big 26-9 win which included a try to Argentine international centre, Miguel Avramovic. Uncapped Argentine centre, Matías Viazzo played again in the unfamiliar position of flyhalf for Bourgoin.
Toulouse notched up a highly impressive 29-9 victory over former Top 14 leaders, Montpellier which saw Toulouse break clearly away to have a firm lead on the table and Montepllier drop down to fifth position. Argentina international scrumhalf Nicolás Vergallo and secondrower Patricio Albacete both had impressive performances for Toulouse with Vergallo setting up the first try. Uncapped Argentine winger, Martín Bustos Moyano had a good night with the boot for Montepellier as he slotted 9 points but it was not enough. He had two Pumas playing alongside him for Montpellier with Santiago Fernández starting at inside centre and Juan Figallo at prop
The Top 14 now takes a two week break with the Six Nations starting next weekend. This means the Argentine players will be on holiday.
Argentine international secondrower, Patricio Albacete has resigned with France´s glamour club, Stade Toulousain, or simply Toulouse until 2015. Albacete decided to extend his stay at France´s and Europe´s most successful club after recieving a big money offer to play for Bayonne. The Pumas powerhouse has been at the club for five years already since joining from fellow French club Pau who are now in the Pro d2. In his time with Toulouse, Albacete has won both the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup and is widely considered as the best secondrower in France. Earlier in the season his team mate and fellow Argentine international, Nicolas Vergallo also extended his stay at the club.
Toulouse may indeed see Albacete play until retirement as he is to turn 30 this year and will be 34 come Rugby World Cup 2015 which looms as a potential time for retirement. Albacete made his debut for Argentina vs Paraguay in April 2003 and impressed. He was selected in the squad for Rugby World Cup 2003 and was in the starting XV for the first match fo the tournament vs Australia at the young age of 22. He played every minute of Argentina´s ground-breaking campaign at Rugby World Cup 2007 and scored a try vs Georgia. In total, he has played 40 tests for Argentina.
USA Eagles star backrower and captain, Todd Clever put in yet another top performace for his club Suntory Sungoliath on the weekend as they defeated the champions from the past two seasons, the Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus 17-12 to win the Japanese Top League semi-final. Suntory have some big name players such as Japanese international prop Kensuke Hatakeyama, centres Koji Taira and Ryan Nicholas and wing Hirotoki Onozawa. The club also has the world´s most capped international rugby player of all time and former Australian captain, George Gregan. But it was Clever who was awarded man of the match.
The win over Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus was no easy achivement as Toshiba had not only won the tournament for the past two seasons but have truely dominated the Japanese Top League with five championship titles from seven years since the league began in 2003-2004. Suntory are one time champions having won the 2007-2008 championship. Suntory will now go into the Top League Final to play the Sanyo Wild Knights who defeated Toyota Verblitz 32-10 in the other semi-final. The Top League Final will be played this weekend, on January 30.
Brazil continue to look like a certain team to compete at a Rugby World Cup as the largest country in South America continues to achieve encouraging results in Rugby Sevens. This past weekend, Brazil continued to show the top dogs of South American rugby that they mean business when they backed up their fine performance at the Punta del Este Sevens in Uruguay earlier this month in claiming the Plate Final with a 7-0 victory over Argentine city Mar del Plata. The Cup Final was won by Córdoba who defeated Uruguay 19-12. The tournament was hosted in the Buenos Aires province beach city of Pinamar.
Brazil were drawn in Group A which was far tougher than Group B. Brazil went head to head with Argentina 7, Córdoba and Mar del Plata in Group A while Uruguay were in Group B alongside URBA, Paraguay and Entre Rios. Brazil overcome the highly unbalanced draw by defeating the host city of Pinamar with a comfortable 31-0 victory before then knocking over Mar del Plata in the final. The result suggests that Brazil will be joining Argentina, Chile and Uruguay as the fourth and final South American participant at the 2011 Pan American Games which will involve Rugby Sevens and will take place in Mexico´s second largest city, Guadalajara.
Tournament Results
Brazil 5-28 Argentina VII
Córdoba 12-10 Mar del Plata VII
Uruguay 21-17 Pinamar VII
Brazil 12-21 Mar del Plata VII
URBA 45-0 Paraguay
Paraguay 5-17 Pinamar VII
Argentina VII 12-24 Córdoba
URBA 0-24 Uruguay
Brazil 05-33 Córdoba
Uruguay 22-13 Paraguay
Argentina 17-14 Mar del Plata
URBA 17-15 Pinamar
Cup Semifinal Córdoba 19-14 URBA Uruguay 17-12 Argentina
Cup Final
Córdoba 19-12 Uruguai
Semifinal Plate Brazil 31-00 Pinamar Paraguai 12-19 Mar del Plata
Plate Final Brazil 07-00 Mar del Plata
Club Teams
Belgrano 50-14 Champagnat
Tala de Córdoba 17-12 Los Tilos
Regatas de Bella Vista 24-0 Manuel Belgrano
Alumni 14-21 Belgrano
SIC 26-7 Tala de Córdoba
Hindú 17-5 Regatas de Bella Vista
Duendes 14-12 La Plata
Alumni 21-12 Champagnat
La Plata 12-17 CUBA
SIC 26-5 Los Tilos
Hindú 5-0 Manuel Belgrano
Duendes 14-0 CUBA
Cup Quarter Finals
Alumni 12-19 Tala de Córdoba
SIC 29-05 Champagnat
Hindú 15-22 CUBA
Duendes 19-12 Regatas
Cup Semifinal
SIC 19-12 Tala de córdoba
CUBA 28-07 Duendes
Cup Final
SIC 12-15 CUBA
Plate Semi Final
Alumni 05-14 Hindú
Champagnat 17-20 Regatas
Plate Final
Hindú 17-12 Regatas
Bowl Semi Final
Belgrano 17-15 Los Tilos
Manuel Belgrano 05-37 La Plata
The group stage of the 2010-2011 Amlin Challenge Cup was completed over the weekend and with it the Quarter Finals places have all been confirmed. There is a very French look to it with four of the five pools being won by French sides with Brive, Stade Français, La Rochelle and Montpellier winning their groups and the remaining spot going to English side Harlequins. The three remaining Quarter Finals places all go to the third, fourth and fifth best teams who finished second in their Group from the Heineken Cup. The places went to French side Clermont, Irish side Munster and English club London Wasps.
The Harlequins finished top of Group 1 after pulling of a big 39-17 win vs French side Bayonne in London on Saturday. Bayonne, like most French sides fielded a weakened side to give preference to the French Top with Round 17 of the French League taking place on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Uncapped Argentine secondrower, Tomás Vallejos Cinalli came off the bench as did Argentine international winger Gonzalo Camacho. The groups other match saw Irish province Connacht notch up a massive win as they defeated Italian side Cavalieri Prato to both ahead of Bayonne and claim second spot. The 85-7 victory included 12 tries. The Italian side included three Argentine players in Stefano Canale, Poloni and Gabriel Bocca.
Another Italian side were much more competitive as Petrarca Padova hosted French side Brive in Group 2 on Saturday. Brive won 24-20 with former Pumas prop Pablo Cardinali starting and Argentina´s Italian international flyhalf Luciano Orquera coming on after 4 minutes. Petrarca Padova had four Argentine players in their side with Martín Acuña, Agustín Costa Repetto, Santiago Sodini and Juan Pablo Sánchez all playing. Sánchez scored eight points as he slotted one concersion and two penalities. Spanish side El Salvador hosted English side the Sale Sharks in what was a dead rubber as Brive had already guaranteed themselves first place in the group. Sale were simply much better as they won the match 50-5.
Montpellier had a tough home fixture vs English side the Exeter Chiefs in Group 3. The French side came out on top, winning a thriller 32-30 but this is more a reflection of Montpellier resting its first choice players for their Top 14 clash vs Toulouse on Thursday. None of the teams French or Argentine internationals featured but USA Eagles centre Seta Tuilevuka played 13. The groups other match between Top 14 side Bourgoin and Aviva Premiership side the Newcastle Falcons was cancelled on Saturday due to a frozen pitch. It was postponed and set to be played on Sunday but the field continued to be unplayable.
Another French side will be entering the Quarter Finals after SF Paris scored a 34-17 win over Italian side Crociati in Group 4. The Parisian team was packed with Argentine players with Pumas fullback Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga, props Pedro Ledesma and Rodrigo Roncero, centre Gonzalo Tiesi and backrower Juan Manuel Leguizamón all playing. There was also an Argentine playing for Crociati as Sebastián Damiani started for the Italians. Meanwhile, Leeds Carnegie secured second place in the group with an impresside 26-6 victory vs Romanian side Bucharest Oaks at home. The English side featured two Argentine props in Miguel Alonso and Juan Gómez. their presence is a tournament of this magnitude is a tesitment to Argentine rugby as neither player will be considered for the squad to compete at New Zealand 2011.
Group 5´s two matches both took place on Thursday evening with La Rochelle winning the group after defeating Italian side Rugby Rovigo 71-17 at home. Two uncapped Argentine players featured for the Top 14 side in frontrowers Andrés Bordoy and Franco Pani. Former Pumas flyhalf Germán Bustos kicked one dropgoal and two penalties for Rugby Rovigo and Agustín Guzmán was also in the starting lineup for the Italian side. Aviva Premiership side, Gloucester saved their best for last in humiliating French Top 14 Agen with a massive 60-7 victory that counted for nothing as La Rochelle had already won the group. Agen fieled a vastly weak side which lacked all of the clubs big names including USA Eagles winger Kevin Swiryn, Argentine centre Miguel Avramovic and backrower Alejandro Campos.
Amlin Challenge Cup Quarter Finals
Stade Francais v Montpellier, Paris
Brive v Munster, Brive
La Rochelle v Clermont Auvergne, La Rochelle
Harlequins v London Wasps, London
The Quarter Finals will take place over the weekend of April 08-10.
The final round of group matches in the 2010-2011 Heineken Cup took place over the weekend with the Quarter Finalists being confirmed and lots of Argentine action taking place. With the World Cup approaching rapidly, the current European season, and soon to start Super Rugby season, is vital to players of all twenty teams that will compete for the grand prize in New Zealand in September and October - the Rugby World Cup. On such player taking the opportunity is Biarritz back Marcelo Bosch who now appears to be not only a sure choice for Argentina´s squad but also looks like challenging Gonzalo Tiesi for the spot.
Group 1 was won by the Northampton Saints in Round Five of the Heineken Cup and they travelled to France to face Castres in round six on Saturday. They recorded an impressive 23-12 win which secures Northampton a home Quarter Final when the Heineken Cup resumes after the Six Nations in April. Uruguay´s Rodrigo Capó Ortega was in the starting XV for Castres and made a charging run in the phase before his sides first try. Wiith the loss Castres finished up in third spot in the group. Welsh side Cardiff Blues jumped ahead of Castres to finish second in the group after notching up a 21-14 away victory vs Scottish side Edinburgh at Murrayfield also on Saturday. Argentine international secondrower, Esteban Lozada started for Edinburgh.
Group 2 was a more competitive group and won which Leinster had wrapped up in Round 5 after defeating Saracens by a big margin to put themselves in an unreachable position on the table. Despite already having confirmed their place in the final 8, they nonetheless did not travel to Paris lightly. They scored a huge 36-11 victory over Racing Metro on Friday which guarantees them a home Quarter Final. Argentine backrower, Àlvaro Galindo started for Racing Metro as did flyhalf Juan Martín Hernández who slotted two penalties for the Parisians.
Meanwhile, London club Saracens hosted central French side Clermont with the French champions needing a win and a bonus point to give themselves any real chance of making the final 8. They managed to pull it off winning 24-14 as they scored their fourth try in the 78th minute of play. Clermont played an experimental side which involved none of the Argentine players. An Argentine prop who plays international rugby for Italy was on the field for Saracens, however as Carlos Nieto started for the English club. Nieto was joined by two USA international players in secondrower Hayden Smith and the returning Chris Wyles who played fullback. The bonus point win gave Clermont the maximum five points but it was not enough for the French side to reach the Quarter Finals of the Heineken Cup. It did, however, see Clermont finish high enugh to book a Quarter Final in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
Toulon had already guaranteed themselves first place in Group 3 and so used their away match in Swansea vs Welsh side the Ospreys to field a vastly different side. All in all, 14 of the 15 players did not play in the team that defeated Munster the previous week. Saturdays match thus handed the home side an advantage and they took it as they knocked over the big spending French side 29-17 but it was not easy as they had to come back from behind to get the win. Both Felipe Contepomi and Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe were rested.
Munster rebounded from their loss to Toulon to defeat English side London Irish 28-14 at home. In probably the worst match of the season, scores were tied at 0-0 at the interval. Despite the win, Munster have been eliminated as they have no chance of being one of the best two second placed teams from the group stage.
Group 4 will have two Quarter Finalists after both Biarritz and Ulster picked up bonus point victories on Saturday to be tied on 22 points. Biarritz claim first place due to their superior try count but had to notch up a four try win vs Bath which is no easy task and Biarritz had to bring their A-Game to get the job done. The French side won the match 26-19 scoring four tries to three but were leading from early in the match and never looked like losing. Argentine international centre, Marcelo Bosch had a very impressive game for Biarritz as he defended well, broke the line and linked well with his wingers. He set up Biarritz´s second try as he threw a cut out pass to winger Iain Balshaw who scored in the corner. In the second half he passed to USA international winger Taku Ngwenya in the tackle who accelerated to touch down for the winners. The form of Bosch is a highly positive sign for Argentina and his versatility appears to be ideal. After arriving as a flyhalf and playing there for Biarritz and then at inside centre and fullback, Bosch seems to be really using his chance now at outside centre which is a position that Argentina require more depth. Former Argentina international second rower, Ignacio Fernández Lobbe came on for Bath in the second half.
Biarritz lost last weekend to Irish province Ulster in a tryless match. The win gave Ulster a great chance of making the Heineken Cup Quarter Finals for the first time in over a decade and they travelled to Viadana to face Italian side Aironi. Like Biarritz´s clash with Bath it was a must win match and the Irish side put on a great performance as they won 43-6 after scores were 10-6 at halftime. Three Argentine players featured for Aironi in Italian international scrumhalf Pablo Canavosio who played wing, prop Matías Agüero and centre Gabriel Pizarro.
Two matches took place on Sunday in Group 5 with the possibility of two sides qualifying for the Quarter Finals. In England the Leicester Tigers hosted Italian side Benetton Treviso and comfortably won 62-15 to secure themselves a place in the final 8. Argentine loosehead prop, Marcos Ayerza was in the starting XV for the winners while Pumas winger, Horacio Agulla played the final 30 minutes after coming off the bench as did Argentine born Italian tighthead prop, Martín Castogiovanni. Benetton Treviso had a large supply of Argentine players with Italian international centre Gonzalo Garcia playing as well as Pedro Di Santo, Franco Sbaraglini and Ignacio Fernández Rouyet.
The win put the English champions into a Quarter Final but it did not give them a home Quarter Final because their big wein was not enough to finish top of the group. French side Perpignan hosted Welsh side the Scarlets also on Sunday and impressed in winning 37-5. The bonus point win sees both Perpignan and Leicester finish with 22 points but Perpignan claim top spot after defeating the Tigers at home and drawing in Leicester. Perpignan look set to make history by hosting a Quarter Final in Spain at the same venue which hosted the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Group 6 had already been wrapped up by last seasons Heineken Cup champions, Toulouse and the French champions travelled to England to face the London Wasps who had been eliminated after losing an away match to the Glasgow Warriors in Round 5. Toulouse were expected to win again to be one of only two teams alongside Northampton to have won every match however when centre Florian Fritz was red carded early in the second half the French sides chances took a massive hit. The tackle was clearly a spear and should result in a lengthly suspension for Fritz who afterwards gave the crowd a piece of his mind. London Wasps went on to win 21-16. Argentina´s world class secondrower, Patricio Albacete played for Toulouse and Nicolas Vergallo was on the bench.
Welsh side the Newport Gwent Dragons hosted Scottish side the Glasgow Warriors who finished off in third place in the pool after winning 23-16 at Rodney Parade in Newport. Two former Pumas featured for Glasgow with Federico Martín Aramburu starting at 13 and Bernardo Stortoni playing 15. Canadian international winger, DTH van der Merwe played left wing for the Scottish side and Canadian prop Kevin Thachuk was on the bench. Both Canadian players are certain to feature in this years World Cup in New Zealand. van der Merwe continued his utterly outstanding season by scoring a double for the Glasgow Warriors, in the 64th and 71st minute. He looms as Canada's best attacking weapon and certainly should offer the North Americans a lot in attack as they target wins over Tonga and Japan.
Heineken Cup Quater Finals Northampton vs Ulster, Northampton, England Leinster vs Leicester, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland Perpignan vs Toulon, Barcelona, Spain Biarritz vs Toulouse, San Sebastián, Spain
The Quarter Finals will be played from April 08-10 and for the first time ever two matches will be played in Spain.
The Southern Hemisphere´s premier professional rugby tournament, the Super 14 has been expanded this season to include a fifteenth side - the Melbourne Rebels which means Australia will now join New Zealand and South Africa in having five teams each. Expansion is commonly considered to continue with Argentina being the next in line to be added in the coming years. The inclusion of Los Pumas in an expanded Tri-Nations as of 2012, combined with the development the PladAR program which has enabled the inclusion of Los Pampas XV in South Africa´s Vodacom Cup all binds together to give Argentina a set of over 30 domestic based players to, in the coming years, be used to form one or more Argentina Super Rugby sides. In addition, with Argentina being added to the Tri-Nations, it is a question of time before existing Super Rugby sides sign Argentine players.
SANZAR´s new CEO, Greg Peters was recently in Argentina to evaluate Argentina´s progress as their entry into the new Four Nations rapidly approaches. Peters spoke praises of the UAR´s move towards a professional structure and said "They now have a paid general manager who has been appointed, and a commercial manager and high performance people. It's huge changes." During his visit to Argentina, Peters visited the Belgrano Athletic in Buenos Aires which has 1400 children and 300 seniors on its playing membership, numbers which are far greater than those in New Zealand clubs nowadays. Belgrano Athletic play in the URBA Top 14 who do not want the competition to go pro. Rather than say this is a problem that needs to be resolved, Peters thinks of it as evolution in that Argentina´s admission to the Four Nations and their inevitable inclusion in Super Rugby need not replicate the path of the existing countries. Rather, Peters believes Argentina has its own circumstances in which URBA acn maintain its status while Argentina continues to move in the professional direction. Peters believes Argentine players will very shortly be playing Super Rugby.
The consequences of the passion and progress of Los Pumas at Rugby World Cup 2007 continue to bring Argentina extensive benefits. The inclusion of Argentina in the Four Nations, the addition of Argenitne players to Super Rugby teams and the creation of Super Rugby teams in Argentina itself will tick all the boxes for Argentina to indeed be more than prepared to host Rugby World Cup 2023.
The IRB´s weekly rugby program, Total Rugby recently aired a piece on the 2010 South American B Championship (CONSUR B) which took place in Colombia in late 2010. The tournament was a huge chance for Colombia to win at home and to build forward as they look to move up the South American ladder. It was not a successful tournament however as Colombia were defeated by Southern neighbours Peru in what was a shock defeat and they also fell to their eastern neighbours, Venezuela. Nevertheless, Colombia is a rugby nation on the rise and it has some very obtainable goals including reaching CONSUR Division 1.
The brief five minute documentary nevertheless paints a great picture of rugby in Colombia showing how far the game has come in such a short period of time and that it is another case in point of what is possible for international rugby in the region. Should Argentina host Rugby World Cup 2023 the profile of the sport in the region would clearly benefit greatly and it would have significant side effects such as contibuting to the lives of the middle and lower classes of people in places such as Colombia as touched on in the video.
The Argentina Rugby Union (UAR) have confirmed a 28 man squad for the 2011 Vodacom Cup which starts next month in South Africa. Of the 28 players, 10 have been selected for Los Pumas during the reign of coach Santiago Phelan and the trio of Agustín Creevy, Gastón de Robertis and Mariano Galarza have all returned to play for Los Pampas XV following stints with leading teams in France, England and Ireland. Their experiences playing at the elite level will no doubt help the chances of Los Pampas who had changed from playing in the South zone to the North for this years tournament.
The teams first match will be on February 26 against the Griffons who are based in the Free State City of Welkom and Los Pampas XV will be based in the Northwestern city of Potchefstroom. There is everything to play for as all 28 players looking to impress national selectors for a possible place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad the team. Some will certainly make the squad, possibly up to five players.
Los Pampas Squad
Belisario Agulla, Hindú Club, Buenos Aires
Gabriel Ascarate, Natación y Gimnasia, Tucumán Nicolás Ariel Bruzzone, S.I.C, Buenos Aires
Maximilano Bustos, Universitario, Santa Fé Mauro Adrián Comuzzi, Pucará, Buenos Aires
Matias Cortese, Liceo R.C, Mendoza Agustín Creevy, Clermont, França
Tomás Cubelli, Belgrano Athletic, Buenos Aires Miguel de Achaval, Asociación Alumni, Buenos Aires
Tomas de la Vega, C.U.B.A, Buenos Aires
Gastón de Robertis, Leicester Tigers, England Julio Alfredo Farias Cabello, Tucuman R. C, Tucumán Genaro Fessia, Córdoba Athletic, Cordoba Mariano Galarza, Leinster, Ireland
Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Asociación Alumni, Buenos Aires
Agustin Oscar Gosio, Club Newman, Buenos Aires
Mauricio Raúl Guidone, La Plata R.C, Buenos Aires Santiago Nicolas Guzmán, Tucumán R.C, Tucumán
Juan José Imhoff, Duendes R.C, Rosario
Martin Landajo, C.A.S.I, Buenos Aires Tomás Leonadri, S.I.C, Buenos Aires
Benjamín Macome, Tucumán R.C, Tucumán
Román Miralles, Duendes R.C, Rosario
Maximiliano Nannini, Duendes R.C, Rosario
Federico Nicolás Sanchez, Tucuman Lawn Tennis, Tucumán Leonardo Vicente Senatore, G.E.R, Rosario
Francisco Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, La Plata R.C, U.R.B.A
Joaquín Tuculet, Los Tilos, U.R.B.A
Round 5 of the 2010-2011 Amlin Challenge Cup took place last weekend and, like Round 5 of the Heineken Cup, it confirmed a number of Quarter Finalists as well as some surprizes. With one round left to play the general state of the Championship is French sides are doing well. This is not true in all groups, however, as Irish province, Connacht were certainly surprize winners in knocking over French side Bayonne in France on Saturday. Their 35-21 away victory in Group 1 did nothing for Connacht´s play-off´s chances as they are already out of the running but it did help fellow Group 1 side, the Harlequins who moved ahead of Bayonne to lead the group after notching up an impressive 48-16 away victory vs Italian side Cavalieri also on Saturday. Non-capped Argentine secondrower Tomás Vallejos Cinalli played for the London based side as did Pumas international winger Gonzalo Camacho. The Italian club had two Argentine players of their own in Martín Murgier and Gabriel Bocca.
French Top 14 strugglers, Brive have confirmed themselves a place in the play-offs after dismantling Spanish side El Salvador with a 52-3 home victory in Group 2. Argentine international scrumhalf, Agustín Figuerola fine form contuned for the French side and he was joined in the starting XV by former Pumas prop Pablo Henn. Also on Friday, the groups other match saw an England vs Italy contest with a similar result to that of France vs Spain as the Sale Sharks tried their best to book themselves a play-off´s spot with a 54-0 win over Petrarca. Their impressive win counted for little as Brive´s win guaranteed them first place in the group and thus qualification for the knockout stage. Petrarca had four Argentine players in their side - Juan Pablo Sánchez, Agustín Costa Repetto, Santiago Sodini and Agustín Cavalieri.
The surprize package in this seasons Aviva Premiership, the Exeter Chiefs hosted French Top 14 wooden spooners, Bourgoin and played well to win 17-6 on Saturday to keep up the pressure on Group 3 leaders Montpellier. Uncapped Argentine prop Ignacio Elosu played for Exeter off the bench while Argentine flyhalf Alberto de Bernardo was surprizingly selected for Bourgoin at fullback and Argentine centre Matias Viazzo was also surprizingly selected at flyhalf.
Newcastle hosted Montpellier on Friday with the French side selecting what was a second string lineup which included resting all three Argentine players - Santiago Fernández, Juan Figallo and Martín Bustos Moyano and USA international centre, Seta Tuilevuka who played off the bench for Montpellier as they pulled off a 6-0 win. the victory maintains Montpellier´s place at the top of the table in Group 3. Montpellier will host Exeter on Saturday with the winner advances to the Quarter Finals.
Group 4 was all wrapped up by Stade Français as they defeated English side Leeds Carnegie 39-10 in Paris on Sunday. It was a match to underline the contribution of the Americas to global rugby as all four starting props are international players from the Americas. The Argentine pair of Rodrigo Roncero and Pedro Ledesma packed down against a United States-Argentina combination of Mike Macdonald and Juan Gomez. All four remain in contention for places at this years Rugby World Cup. Roncero scored a second half try for the Parisians who also had Pumas international backrower Juan Manuel Leguizamón and centre Gonzalo Tiesi in the starting XV. Tiesi was replaced by Pumas fullback Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga in the 57th minute. Meanwhile, the battle for third place in the pool saw Italian side Crociati defeating Romanian side Bucuresti 16-12 on Saturday.
Perhaps the most competitive group of all is Group 5 and an important match took place in Agen on Thursday as Agen hosted fellow former second division side La Rochelle. Both sides remain in contention for relegation from the Top 14 back into the Pro d2 but both continue to surprize seasoned opposition in the French league. Their Amlin Challenge Cup match was a competitive affair with Agen taking a 17-13 halftime lead as they scored two tries to one in the first 40. After the break, however, they failed to score a again as La Rochelle had a fine 40 minutes which led to a 28-17 victory. Argentine international centre Miguel Avramovic played most of the match for Agen and the Argentine frontrow duo of Andres Bordoy and Franco Pani both featured for La Rochelle. The win virtually guarantees La Rochelle a place in the Quarter Finals but they still need to win their final match which is a home fixture vs Femi-CZ Rugby Rovigo tonight. Rovigo are winless in this seasons Amlin Challenge Cup and were well beaten by Aviva Premiership side Gloucester on Saturday as the English club defeated the Italians 55-7. Rovigo had three Argentine players in their lineup with former Pumas flyhalf Germán Bustos teaming up with Agustín Guzmán and Pablo Calanchini. Gloucester are to host Agen also tonight with the winner certainly finishing higher than the loser but in order to top the group they both need Rovigo to defeat La Rochelle.
Round Six Fixtures
Thursday
Gloucester vs Agen, Kingsholm, Gloucester
La Rochelle vs Rovigo, Stade Marcel Deflandre, La Rochelle
Saturday
El Salvador vs Sale Sharks, Campo de Pepe Rojo, Valladolid
Petrarca vs Brive, Stadio Plebiscito, Padova
Connacht vs Cavalieri, Galway Sportsground
Harlequins vs Bayonne, The Stoop, London
Bourgoin vs Newcastle Falcons, Stade Pierre Rajon, Bourgoin-Jallieu
Montpellier vs Exeter Chiefs, Stade Yves-du-Manoir, Montpellier
Sunday
Crociati Rugby vs Stade Français, Stadio XXV Aprile
Leeds Carnegie vs Bucureşti, Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds
This past weekend Chile´s tourist city of Viña del Mar hosted the 2011 Sevens de Viña del Mar in what was a two day tournament involving sixteen teams including the international teams of Chile and Uruguay as well as club teams from Argentina and Chile itself. Seven of the teams came from Argentina with the border cities of Mendoza (Los Tordos and Marista) and San Juan (San Juan RC and Cuyo) both providing two teams each. There were also teams from Buenos Aires (Hindu and SIC), Cordoba (Tala) and Rosario (Gimnasia y Esgrima). None of them came out on top, however, as hosts Chile delighted their home supporters by taking out the title - an important championship victory for Chilean rugby.
Chile won the tournament by defeating Mendoza side, Los Tordos 21-7 in the Cup Final, known as the Copa de Oro del Miller Seven Viña 2011. It was the first time Chile had won the title since 2006. Chile got to the final after winning their pool with victories over Tala (5-0), U. Catolica (12-7) and Old Georgians (31-0). Their opponets in the Quarter Finals were the legendary Buenos Aires club, SIC who have produced many great players for Argentina including Agustín Pichot. Chile played very well to win 26-6 and then go on to face Uruguay in the semi final. The international match up went Chile´s way as they secured a 19-14 win after leading 12-7 at halftime.
Chile´s success comes only one week after Brazil finished third, ahead of both Chile and Uruguay, in the 2011 Punta del Este Sevens in Uruguay. It is further evidence of the growth of rugby occuring across South America which underlines the potential that is already there and suggests that massive things could happen should Argentina host Rugby World Cup 2023.
Italian Rugby Coach, Nick Mallet has selected a squad of 24 players for his sides first two matches in the 2010 Six Nations which will be against Ireland and England. Italy´s first clash will be against the Irish in Rome on February 05. The match is highly important not only because of the Six Nations tournament but also because Italy and Ireland are in the same Pool in this years Rugby World Cup. The match is likely to determine second place in the pool behind Australia and if so would see one advance to a Quarter Final and the other be eliminated.
Mallet´s squad of 24 includes returning players Gonzalo García and Leonardo Ghiraldini but Italy will still not be at full strength as the trio of Mauro Bergamasco, Craig Gower and Manoa Vosawai are all unavaliable due to injury. Nonetheless, Mallet has made some bold selections. Despite Craig Gower not being avaliable he has dropped Riccardo Bocchino in favor of Kris Burton and Lorenzo Cittadini in favor of Ignacio Fernández Rouyet.
Of the players selected sixteen play in Italy with eleven players from Benetton Treviso and five from Aironi. Of the remaining eight, seven play in France and one in England. But more importantly, Argentina´s contribution to global rugby is again evident as 33.3% of the team are from Argentina. Indeed, 8 of the 24 players selected by Nick Mallet were born in Argentina. Mallet has gone for Argentine players in a number of positions with two props - Martín Castrogiovanni and Ignacio Fernández Rouyet, secondrower Santiago Dellapé, scrumhalf Pablo Canavosio, centres Gonzalo García and Gonzalo Canale and of course Italy´s captain, Sergio Parisse is from Argentina. All players play at the elite level in Europe in the Magners League, Aviva Premiership or Top 14.
Round five of the 2010-2011 Heineken Cup was another packed with Argentine players and it was a round that saw four of the Quarter Finals places confirmed with some big matches and surprizing results. With only one more round to go two French sides, one Irish side and one English have guaranteed their places in the play-offs. Six teams remain in contention for the remaining playoff´s places but it would appear that the final eight participants are already virtually confirmed.
The first team to qualify was the Northampton Saints who notched up a huge 37-0 win over Scottish side Edinburgh in a home match on Friday evening. The win guarantees the side first place in Group 1 regardless of whatever happens in their final match next weekend. The extent of the win was surprizing with the Scottish side unable to compete at all as the hosts scored five tries - one to former South African international prop Brian Mujati and, incredibly, four tries to winger Paul Diggin. Argentine international secondrower Esteban Lozada started for Edinburgh. In the groups other match the Cardiff Blues scored a 14-9 victory over French side Castres in Cardiff. The result eliminated both teams from Quarter Finals contention. The games only try was scored by Welsh international winger Lee Halfpenny.
Group 2 was a far more interesting affair with a lot more points being scored and all four teams entering the round with real chances of being Quarter Finalists. An all-French clash took place on Friday evening in central France as Top 14 champions Clermont played host to current second placed side, Racing Metro. Neither side could afford a loss and the home side went in as favorites but it was Racing Metro who were victorious in the first Heineken Cup match between the two sides. The Parisians started off the better side and after fifteen minutes they were leading 10-0 thanks to a try to backrower Bernard Le Roux which was converted by Racing and Pumas flyhalf Juan Martín Hernández. El Mago had also slotted a penalty goal in the sixth minute. Clermont responded well, however with Argentine born Italian international centre Gonzalo Canale scoring in the 25th minute and Brock James converting. No more points were scored before the interval which saw Racing Metro leading 10-7 at the break. Two second half tries to French international prop Thomas Domingo and Scottish international backrower Jason White put Clermont ahead 21-10. Racing responded with a try to Julien Jane which Hernández converted to close the gap to four points. Clermont, however came back to score a fourth try and thus claim a bonus point as Aurelien Rougerie crossed in the 23rd minute which gave Clermont a 28-17 victory. Hernández was joined by Argentine international backrower Alvaro Galindo and Argentina born Italian international secondrower Santiago Dellapé in the Racing side.
Beaten finalists from last years Celtic League, Leinster hosted beaten finalists from last seasons English Premiership, Saracens in the second Group 2 match and the Irish side came out winners with a highly impressive 43-20 win in Dublin. The win guarantees Leinster a place in the Quarter Finals after ensuring a first place finish in the group. USA Eagles secondrower Hayden Smith was on the bench and came on immediately after the interval to play the entire second half for the visitors. His international teammate, Chris Wyles missed the game as he continues to recover from injury.
Toulon showed in the best possible way how far a team can come in such a small amount of time. The French club hosted former two time Heineken Cup champions, Munster on Sunday in a key Group 3 match with the winner securing themselves a Quarter Final and the loser likely to be eliminated from the competition. Remarkably, Toulon not only won the match but dominated their Irish opponents in winning 32-16. They did so with great performances from two key Argentina players in backrower Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe and inside centre Felipe Contepomi. Lobbe was highly visible around the park as he was impressive as a ballcarrier and in defence. Contepomi had a great inside centres match producing great cut-out passes to his wingers and showing why he should play 12 and not 10 for Los Pumas. On the previous day London Irish had hosted Welsh side, the Ospreys with a win going to end the Welsh teams playoffs chances. The 24-12 victory did just this as the best Welsh team are now gone from the tournament which means no Welsh side will be in the Quarter Finals despite the final being held in Cardiff. Argentine international scrumhalf Alfredo Lalanne was on the bench for London Irish.
Biarritz went into Group 4 looking like having a Quarter Final place guaranteed as they faced Irish side Ulster in Belfast on Saturday. Cold weather and rain, however, were dominant in a tryless match which Biarritz were winning 6-0 at half time. All second half points were scored by Ulster as they pulled off a 9-6 win which puts both teams equal on 17 points in the group and, will likely see both in the Quarter Finals. USA Eagles international winger Taku Ngwenya had a mere two touches of the ball in the second half but played the full 80 minutes. French international Damien Traille had a poor match for the visitors which should see him permanelty removed from the flyhalf position. Pumas international centre Marcelo Bosch started at 13 for Biarritz but left the field injured after only five minutes.
The result of the other Group 4 match was never in doubt as English side Bath scored a huge 55-16 win over Italian side Aironi. Pumas secondrower from Rugby World Cup 1999, 2003 and 2007 - Ignacio Fernández Lobbe played for the winners as did current USA Eagles international secondrower John van der Giessen. The visitors had four Argentine players in Pablo Canavosio, Leonardo Gamboa, Gabriel Pizarro and Matías Agüero.
The Western Welsh city of Llanelli played host to a key Group 5 match as the Scarlets needed to defeat English powerhouses the Leicester Tigers in a match on Saturday. The Tigers were too good, however as they notched up an impressive 32-18 victory which sees the Scarlets eliminated from the tournament still with one group game to play and sees the Tigers look like certainties for a place in the final eight. Argentine international loosehead prop Marcos Ayerza packed down with Argentine born Italian international tighthead prop Martín Castrogiovanni for the Tigers and Pumas winger Horacio Agulla came on as a secondhalf replacement.
The groups other match took place in Treviso as Benetton Treviso hosted French side Perpignan also on Saturday. The French side showed their desire to make the playoffs as their 44-9 victory sees them tied on 17 points for first place with Leicester. Former Pumas international secondrower Rimas Alvarez came on as a replacement for the winners while three Argentine players played for the Italian side in Italian international centre Gonzalo García and both starting props - Ignacio Fernández Rouyet and Pedro Di Santo.
Current Heineken Cup champions and the most successful team in the history of the competition - Toulouse guaranteed themselves another Quarter Final as they defeated Welsh side the Newport-Gwent Dragons in Toulouse on Saturday in Group 6. The 17-3 win featured two Pumas in the starting lineup in scrumhalf Nicolas Vergallo and secondrower Patricio Albacete.
English club London Wasps were expecting a victory as they faced Scottish side the Glasgow Warriors in Glasgow on Sunday but they failed as the Scot´s enjoyed a 20-10 victory which does not eliminate the London Wasps but certainly makes their chances of a Quarter Final very small. Argentine fullback Bernardo Stortoni played in the 15 shirt for Glasgow and countryman Federico Martín Aramburu played 13. Canadian international prop KevinTkachuk made an appearance from the bench for Glasgow.
Round Six Fixtures
Friday Racing Metro vs Leinster, Paris Saracens vs Clermont Auvergne, Watford
Saturday Aironi vs Ulster, Viadana Biarritz vs Bath Rugby, Biarritz Munster vs London Irish, Limerick Ospreys vs Toulon, Swansea Castres vs Northampton Saints, Castres Edinburgh vs Cardiff Blues, Edinburgh
Sunday Leicester Tigers vs Benetton Treviso, Leicester Perpignan vs Scarlets, Perpignan Newport-Gwent Dragons vs Glasgow Warriors, Newport London Wasps vs Toulouse, Wycombe
During the week the South African Rugby Union confirmed the fixture list for the 2010 Vodacom Cup which will be played from February - May with the first round taking place on February 26. The competition is divided into two groups - the Northern and the Southern section. In last years event both groups had seven South African sides in each as well as one invitational side in each group: the Pampas XV from Argentina in the Southern Group and and the Welwitchias from Namibia in the Northern. For this years event, however, the Pampas XV will be in the Northern section. The Welwitchias play both at home as well as in South Africa but the Pampas XV only play away due to the distance between South Africa and Argentina.
The tournament is a feeder competition with the objective of getting potential Super Rugby players ready and giving them game time in a competition played at the same time as Super Rugby itself. Argentina and Namibia entered the Vodacom Cup in 2009 and did so for the same reason - to bridge the gap between domestic club rugby and, in their case, the international game. Las Pampas XV is coached by Daniel Hourcade and Mauricio Reggiardo with the pair looking to use the opportunity to Argentina´s advantage by giving the players sufficient game time to push for a place in Los Pumas and indeed in the squad for the Rugby World Cup.
The biggest win for Las Pampas in the 2010 Vodacom Cup was a 73-14 victory vs the Border Bulldogs in Round three. The Argentine side did not make the play-off´s but did play good rugby and various players from the team indeed impressed so much that and were signed to play professional rugby as a result. For instance inside centre Santiago Fernández and winger Martín Bustos Moyano both signed for Montpellier in France after impressing for the Pampas XV. Fullback Martín Rodriguez Gurruchaga was snapped up by Stade Français, scrumhalf Agustín Figuerola signed for Brive and centre Miguel Avramovic and backrower Alejandro Campos both signed for Agen. London club Harlequins signed flyhalf Benjamin Urdapilleta and Irish side Leinster signed Mariano Galarza. None of these players will feature in this years Vodacom Cup but clearly the quality of players is high and the opportunity they have is unique. The Pampas XV will feature players who represented Argentina in international matches in 2010 such as hooker Agustín Creevy, backrowers Genaro Fessia, Miguel de Achaval and Julio Farías Cabello and secondrower Santiago Guzmán.
Spotted at a young age, Hindu Club fullback / wing Francisco Bosch known in Argentine circles as el Cubano - the Cuban has done just about it all. He made his international debut for Los Pumas vs Chile in 2004 at fullback as a 21 year old and had a successful debut scoring a try. Bosch has also represented Argentina in international matches vs Japan, Samoa and South Africa and was on the bench for Argentina´s famous 25-25 draw vs the Lions in Cardiff. Bosch has also played Rugby Sevens for Argentina but is most known for playing professionally in New Zealand for the Manawatu Turbos in the country´s domestic championships now known as the ITM Cup.
Since returning to Argentina he has been a national champion for Hindu Club in 2010 as they won Argentina´s National Club championship with el Cubano scoring a second half try in the 25-22 victory over Córdoba´s La Tablada. He is also a Buenos Aires (URBA Top 14) champion having helped Hindu to win the 2009 championship. Francisco Bosch accepted an offer to be interviewed to share his views on Argentine rugby and his experiences in New Zealand.
PT: How is life at Hindu and how is rugby in Buenos Aires for you?
FB: Well life in Buenos Aires is great for me, after being in New Zealand for a few years it is good to be back with family and friends. Of course it is entirely different being 100% dedicated to rugby, like I was in New Zealand, than playing rugby here where people have to work, study and train in the limited time left. Then again it is not the same playing for the club that raised you playing with friends from a young age. The feeling you have when you represent your club, with the long tradition we have, is stronger than playing for any other team. Even though when I played for the Turbos in New Zealand it felt pretty similar because I felt that I really identified with the union. Unfortunately the dream is over now. Who knows maybe I´ll get the chance to go again.
PT: You previously played professional rugby in New Zealand for Manawatu. What was it like for an Argentine to play there?
FB: Playing rugby in New Zealand in the NPC (ITM Cup) was for me an opportunity to test my rugby at the highest level you can get. What´s bigger than that? Just Super Rugby in my opinion. I know Europe is great and has really strong leagues but the way the kiwis play rugby nobody can match that. So for me it was a great experience, I learned a lot and made a lot of true friends.
PT:. You were popular with the locals during home matches. Could you comment on your favorite memory from playing in New Zealand?
FB: I arrived to play for the Turbos when they got promoted to the top division after a lot of time playing in second division. People didn´t expect much from us and we had a 3 years period to prove to New Zealand that we were good enough to compete at that level and we deserved that spot. After the 3 years I played for Manawatu we were confirmed as a worthy team in first division. I think thats the best memory I have, I mean being part of that process and of course I scored a few nice tries and I really enjoyed that. People treated me great and players and coaches were awesome with me. I went for a visit last year to attend to the wedding of one of my teammates Hayden Triggs.
PT: Manawatu (Palmerston North City) is the host venue for Argentina vs Georgia at Rugby World Cup 2011, what can Los Pumas expect from the locals?
FB: They can expect a lot of enthusiasm, I think the people will be really happy about host a RWC match. I know they are organizing a South American parade and festival for that weekend in the square so it will be lots of fun everywhere.
PT: Could you comment on Los Pumas going into Rugby World Cup year - any players to watch out for?
FB: I think they are struggling a bit to find the team and the structure to compete at the highest level. They have a lot of injuries at the moment but if they can count on their best players I´m pretty confident they can have a good World Cup. Of course it will not be easy to match what they did in France (Rugby World Cup 2007) but they have great players and there´s still the Argentinean passion and as the world knows you never know what the Pumas can do. Good defence, a strong forwards game and a big heart are always on the menu. If they can add some good structure with the backs it will be a great team.
Good players to watch out for: of course Felipe Contepomi, Juan Martin Hernández and Patricio Albacete and a few younger players could do well too like Martín Rodriguez Gurruchaga and Horacio Agulla.
PT: Do you think Argentina should host Rugby World Cup 2003?
FB: I´d love to but to be honest I don´t see Argentina ready at this stage to host an event that big with the standards it requires.
PT: If the UAR were to bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023 what does Argentina need to do to get ready and meet the standards?
FB: The first thing we should do is develop a professional structure as a Union, we need lots of money that we dont have right now. Something you shoud have in your mind is that Rugby is not that popular in Argentina so theres a lot to do, I dont know as there are a lot of things to do.
Despite not being convinced of Argentina´s hosting capabilities, Francisco Bosch, nonetheless is behind the idea. His criticism is highly constructive as clearly the UAR will need to have some form of professional rugby in the country before it can bid to host a Rugby World Cup. Nonetheless, Australia hosted in 2003 without any domestic professional rugby at all. Argentina could go down the same road by entering in Super Rugby which is a likely move given that Argentina will be in an expanded Tri Nations as of next year.
