A Puma about to make a mark on the Super 14
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By Alan Nicolea, 2 Jul 2009 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
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French rugby union club, Stade Francais, will bid farewell to one of its best players in Argentine half, Juan Martin Hernandez.
Although his majestic playing skills will be missed in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s about time for the Pumas’ leading player to ply his trade in a hemisphere where Argentine rugby will continue to grow into a recognised force.
Hernandez has just finalised a one year deal to play with South African outfit the Natal Sharks in the Super 14 competition next season, bringing an end to his seven year association with Stade Francais.
It was a successful period for Hernandez in France, winning the Top 14 competition in 2004 whilst also winning the Top 14 best fullback award during the 2006 season.
Hernandez also led the side to the 2005 Heineken Cup final, where they lost to Toulouse.
His time in Stade Francais allowed him to garner the necessary form that would later see him become one of the stars of the 2007 Rugby Union World Cup in France.
Playing in the fullback position, Hernandez masterminded a superb third place finish for the Pumas, after losing to eventual champions, the Springboks, in the semi-finals.
Due to his performances, it was no surprise to see Hernandez emerge as one of the top five nominees for the IRB player of the year award.
Although the award went to South African winger Bryan Habana, Hernandez could still hold his head high, knowing he played an integral part in putting Argentine rugby on the map in 2007.
Two years later and Hernandez is now prepared to take the next step forward not only for himself, but for los Pumas as well.
His transfer to the Natal Sharks was sealed shortly before the rugby transfer window officially closed.
Hernandez’s transfer has been met with sadness in France. In particular, the major French sporting website Le Figaro, who say his departure “is an immense loss for French Rugby.”
But if Hernandez succeeds playing against arguably the finest players on a consistent basis in the Super 14, it will leave a small Pumas mark in the Southern Hemisphere that will hopefully continue to grow in the coming years.
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Bay35Pablo said | July 2nd 2009 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Link, what happened?!?!? How did he let him go?
The Force should have picked him up rather than Pretorius!!!
With the expansion to S15, and the constant clamour for Argentina in the 3N and S12/14/15/18, they should allow Argentines to play in the S15 with some exemptions to build up a core of players additional to the European players.
True Tah said | July 2nd 2009 @ 8:25am | Report comment
I hope a lot more Argentines follow him – if we can get a stack of them in Super rugby, then getting the Pumas into the Tri Nations will be so much easier.
Alan Nicolea said | July 2nd 2009 @ 9:08am | Report comment
True Tah and BayPablo
Indeed the sooner they incorporate more Pumas players in the Super 14, the better for not just Argentine Rugby, but the growth of World Rugby aswell. Regardless, Hernandez’s contract to the Natal Sharks is a small step in the right direction. Personally i would like to see Juan Manuel Leguizamon in the Super 14. I feel he could also leave a mark along with Pumas winger Horacio Agulla.
Spiro Zavos said | July 2nd 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
This is a great boost to Super Rugby as they go into contract negotiations with News Ltd for the next 5-year deal. Juan Martin Hernandez is one of the finest five-eighths, possibly the best, in world rugby. He had a magnificent 2007 Rugby World Cup and will help the Sharks immeasurably in their quest for a Super Rugby title.
The Super Rugby franchise, too, will be greatly enhanced. We may see hopefully the drift of good and great players to the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere slowed down and a sort of counter-current flowing southwards if the Super Rugby franchise encourages the import of star players now playing in Europe. .
True Tah said | July 2nd 2009 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Alan
the thing about Horace Agulla is that not too long ago (i.e. 2007) he was an amateur in Argentina, so the Argentine club structure must be bloody strong, Im sure when a lot of the Argentine guys finish in france/europe, they head back to their old club.
I would like to see a southern club championship, where the best clubs from Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa would compete – note clubs not provinces, you could have San Isidro playing Brisbane Easts, or Durban Pirates playing Ponsonby. Methinkgs the Aussie club(s) would get a bit of a spanking though.
Jolly Jupes said | July 2nd 2009 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
The mail is he was on-sold to relieve budget pressure at Stade Francais – not really a rugby decision – starting to sound like soccer a bit to me
AndyS said | July 2nd 2009 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
Hardly surprising, when the club is structed like a soccer club. It probably happens quite a bit in Europe.
Alan Nicolea said | July 2nd 2009 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
True Tah
Indeed it is a structure that produces alot of good players, but it also produces players with a die hard passion for the Pumas jersey, mainly because they heard that Che Guevara played Union (good player too). Agulla is indeed a prime example, like you say, of Argentina’s ability to produce players.
Justin said | July 2nd 2009 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
I’ll be the first to admit that I have only seen Juan play for ARG but from what I have read he is a better 15. While he is immensely skillful at 10 he kicks the ball all day and would not suit the Force game plan. What is his style at 10 in France?
Justin said | July 2nd 2009 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
By the way thats not to say I dont want him in S14. Cant wait to see how he performs and he will make me stay up and watch more Sharks matches for sure to see his play.