Argentine rugby has had a hectic nine months, both on and off the pitch.
After a winless Rugby Championship last season the knives came out, as senior players within the squad apparently led a coup d’etat against head coach Santiago Phelan.
The lack of unity in the Pumas squad led to the resignation of Phelan as Pumas head coach in October.
Apparently prop Marcos Ayerza, utility back Santiago Fernandez, and lock and then vice-captain Patricio Albacete led the coup, displeased with Phelan’s conservative methods.
Daniel Hourcade took the mantle of Pumas head coach just weeks before the autumn internationals. Their three games were mediocre – heavy defeats against Wales and England before a narrow win against Italy in Rome brought a degree of respectability.
The June internationals would be the first real marker of Hourcade’s abilities as an international coach. Here he could use his methods and ideas against top-tier opposition. His philosophy is certainly a far cry to Phelan’s contained tactics.
“Hourcade has introduced a different policy altogether to that utilised not only by Phelan but also by Marcelo Loffreda,” explained Argentine rugby expert Paul Tait.
“In contrast to Phelan and (Marcelo) Loffreda [Argentina’s coach during their historic 2007 World Cup campaign] Hourcade does not select the best available players for every match. Rather he is interested in building a team.
“It is part of resolving the problem that Los Pumas found themselves in both the 2012 and 2013 Rugby Championships as entirely different teams were fielded to that of the June internationals. The team had therefore lacked preparation and combinations were vastly untested.”
Under Phelan their lack of preparation showed, especially in heavy defeats to England – 32-3 in Salta and 51-26 in Buenos Aires. But while Phelan was looking to contain, Hourcade is looking to play expansive rugby.
“He wants centres that can break the line and wingers that can score tries. Second rowers are strong ball carriers and back rowers are a unit rather than the best three individuals,” Tait added.
Though the three June internationals yielded three defeats – two against Ireland in Resistencia and Tucuman, along with a narrow defeat against Scotland – there was cause for optimism. For a team missing 13 European-based players who would likely start, the Pumas played valiantly.
The approach was positive with the Pumas even willing to take a quick penalty tap from their own tryline sensing an attack. Moreover, during the three internationals the Pumas scored excellent tries, with Manuel Montero’s effort against Ireland wonderfully taken.
Despite their winless run in June dropping them to 11th in the IRB rankings, Tait argues there is cause for optimism, especially with Hourcade’s willingness to tap into their burgeoning youth talent. Though to be fair to Phelan, he did blood two players under the age of 21 in the Rugby Championship – lock Tomas Lavanini and the excellent flanker Pablo Matera.
“It is extremely likely that young players are to be involved in Rugby Championship matches. The 30-man training squad [that will head to Pensacola, Florida] indeed includes a number of others aside from Pablo Matera,” said Tait.
“Tomás Lavanini is very likely to be starting in the second-row and Manuel Montero on the left wing. The back-up option for Marcelo Bosch is Jerónimo De la Fuente. Lucas Noguera Paz is likely to start at loosehead prop while Santiago Cordero, Javier Desio Ortega, Tomás De la Vega and Ramiro Herrera are all there for more than just experience.”
June saw a considerable shift in attitude, philosophy and intent. While Hourcade will be looking to utilise his ideals, especially with his returning European players, in the upcoming Rugby Championship, he is setting the foundations for the future Super Rugby team in Argentina.
Tait is quite positive about Hourcade’s vision for the game in Argentina on the international scene but domestically as well.
“Hourcade is on record saying he is going to do what he can to assist with the creation of a group of players for Super Rugby. He is encouraging players to come home after the completion of next season.”
The Rugby Championship will be a chance for Daniel Hourcade to show his attacking philosophy to the southern hemisphere. A taste of his vision was on display during the June Tests, but also within the Pampas XV that won the IRB Pacific Cup in March – Hourcade coached them from 2010-2013.
Moreover, Hourcade coached the Pampas to winning the Vodacom Cup – South Africa’s third tier competition behind Super Rugby and Currie Cup – back in 2011.
Already the foundations are being laid for Argentine rugby. Can success be built from these foundations?
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