When you hear the name Che Guevara, the last thing you would associate with him would probably be rugby. But the iconic figure who graces so many living room walls was a die-hard rugby enthusiast.
His love of rugby knew few boundaries. When studying medicine he brought out his own magazine called Tackle. But his love for the 15-man game started much earlier then that.
In 1942, aged 14, was when the rugby bug got hold of Guevara, and it never let go. Guevara was a chronic asthmatic.
When he took up playing for Estudiantes de Cordoba, his protective father expressed his disapproval about his son playing this brutal sport. Guevara responded that he didn’t care if the game killed him, he loved rugby too much to stop. His father never questioned him again.
Despite Che’s lack of size, he was surprisingly strong and loved to tackle. He spent most of his time in the backs, and they say he resembled a young Felipe Contepomi: fast, skilful, and could move like the wind.
After he finished high school he moved back to his home town of Buenos Aires, where he studied to be a doctor. There he played with his good friend Dr Contepomi. This is where he started getting really stuck into rugby, playing for Atalaya Polo Club, Ypora, and San Isidro.
The spirit of Che Guevara lives on though the Pumas. Former captain Agustin Pichot made a statement about Guevara in 2007, ahead of Argentina’s World Cup quarter final, that “His love of rugby and our love of rugby is the driving force.”
Argentina play rugby against the odds, just as Che tried to over throw corrupt governments. Both have a true underdog story, with the Pumas having giving the likes of The All Blacks and the Springboks a run for there money, despite never having the kind of money or player pool that the powerhouses of rugby have had.
In 2007 they beat France twice, the same team that humiliated the All Blacks in the World Cup. It was only the Springboks that kept the Pumas from a final berth.
With the Pumas finally getting the go ahead in the revamped Four Nations series, and playing against the best countries in the world, there must be some anxious teams in the Southern Hemisphere, most notably the All Blacks. They have alway’s been the dominant force, but are things about to change?
The real sleeping giants in rugby are the South Americans. The sport has always been amateur in Argentina, which has always lacked the cashflow to develop players the way the Kiwis and South Africans have. Yet they have always been a dangerous proposition against any opponent, and that’s what makes them scary.
No matter what happens this year, the new Four Nations should be a joy to watch, and I can only see the Pumas getting better. I know when the Argentines play the Kiwis and South Africans, I will wave my Che Guevara flag high and proud. Will you?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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