Following the success of the Jaguares in reaching the Super Rugby final in just their fourth season, speculation is rife about a second Argentinian team entering the competition.
Though it is only conjecture, of course, with the South American nation having given no indication of its plans along these lines. Super Rugby itself, meanwhile, is set for a further reduction of teams in 2021, with the departure of Tokyo’s Sunwolves.
What does seem certain, however, is that Argentina would be more than capable of fielding a second competitive franchise if the opportunity arose.
Aside from the Jaguares’ success, we have seen the Pumas’ reach the World Cup semi-finals in two of the last three tournaments, while the U20s achieved the same feat at this year’s Junior World Championships.
Meanwhile, the involvement of a Jaguares development XV in the South African Currie Cup first division will provide a real insight into just how strong a second Argentinian franchise might be. The team marked its debut with a 50-43 win over the Griffons in Welkom on Saturday. The starting line-up was as follows:
1 Javier Díaz, 2 José Luis González, 3 Martín Segurotti, 4 Jerónimo Ureta, 5 Franco Molina, 6 Lautaro Bavaro, 7 Francisco Gorrisen, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 9 Gregorio del Prete, 10 Teo Castiglioni, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 13, Agustín Segura, 14 Tomás Cubilla, 15 Martín Elías.
The Argentina XV has been experiencing fluctuating fortunes, meanwhile, storming to both the Americas Rugby Championship and South American titles this year, after losing out to the USA and Brazil, respectively, in 2018.
The Argentina B team, however, was beaten by both Uruguay and Russia at last month’s Nations Cup in Montevideo.
A more interesting exercise would be to try and select a second Argentinian Super Rugby franchise based primarily along regional lines. Would a new team be based in the nation’s second largest city, Cordoba, with its population of 1.4 million, perhaps?
The Jaguares didn’t take long to become successful. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Located in the centre of Argentina, Cordoba is the capital of a proud rugby province by the same name, which has already contributed a number of players to the Jaguares squad. If these were to be included in a new Cordoba-based franchise, the starting line-up might resemble the following:
1 Franco Brarda 2 Jose Escuti 3 Enrique Pieretto 4 Matias Alemanno 5 Franco Molina 6 Cesar Fruttero 7 Conrado Roura 8 Federico Simonda 9 Lautaro Velez 10 Gaston Reval 11 German Schulz 12 Juan Cruz Mallia 13 Agustin Segura 14 Luciano Gonzales 15 Santiago Carreras.
Of course, a squad of around 40 would be required, and a few others right in the frame would have to include Eduardo Bello, Gaston Cortes, Facundo Gigena, Ignacio Calas, Facundo Lagos, Juan Bernardini, Martin Moyano and Fernando Luna.
Reports have already suggested Cordoba as the likely base for an Argentinian team in a proposed South American professional league (SLAR). However, an alternative might be the northwestern rugby stronghold of Tucuman.
Roughly half the size of Cordoba, the Tucuman capital certainly has the rugby pedigree, with 11 national titles and a very passionate fan-base. But it is not as accessible to international travellers as Cordoba, has a smaller economy, and comes off second best in terms of stadia. Probably it is more suited to SLAR than Super Rugby.
Nonetheless, there is no question the province could put out a strong enough team to be competitive in the SANZAAR competition, especially with support from neighbouring Salta province. A combined starting XV might be as follows:
1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Diego Fortuny, 3 Juan Figallo Nicolas Mirande, 4 Manuel Plaza, 5 Benjamin Macome, 6 Facundo Isa, 7 Tomas Lezana, 8 Juan Leguizamon, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 12 Gabriel Ascarte, 13 Matias Orlando, 14 Mateo Carreras, 15 Tomas Albornoz.
Other players to be considered for a Tucuman-based franchise would include Javier Diaz, Jose Gonzales, Nicolas Miranda, Nicolas Sbrocco, Santiago Portillo, Domingo Miotti, Javier Rojas and Santiago Resino.
Cordoba and Tucuman aside, cities which might be suited to hosting a professional rugby franchise are Rosario and Santa Fe – both not far from Buenos Aires and joint hosts of this year’s World Junior Championships. Mendoza, the nation’s fourth largest city in the wine-producing province of Cuyo near Chile, is another.
Further changes to the Super Rugby format beyond 2021 are not likely until midway through the coming decade, however. The fans seem to want a return to round-robin, which could prevent expansion in the foreseeable future.
But if the Jaguares continue to improve at the current rate, going from 13th place to second in the space of four years, their case for a second team will become as irresistible as an Argentinian scrum before too much longer.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Give them one of ours. For just 50% more we'll throw in another. BARGAIN..
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Good comments
charly777
Guest
the 80% of the players of the Jaguares were trained in the URBA tournament in Buenos Aires ... that's why a provincial team! We changed the name to Buenos Aires?
charly777
Guest
Maybe someone is familiar ... the Paraguayan rugby federation calls on Paraguayans who learned rugby in Argentina, children and grandchildren of Paraguayans! (This reminded me of NZ with Samoa and Tonga haha)
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Your welcome. By the way for Phil Kearns. 30 men squad Pumas for All Blacks match announced. 24 Jags, 4 Euros and 2 from clubs amateur.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Interesting article on Paraguay's plans to strengthen their rugby ahead of their likely inclusion in the proposed South American pro league (SLAR). Everything from schools and age-grade rugby, to joining Argentinian club rugby in the north of that country, to targetting a diaspora numbering over half a million in Argentina. https://hablemosderugby.wordpress.com/2019/07/13/trabajamos-duro-porque-no-queremos-perder-el-tren/
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Thanks for that information.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
First Division Currie Cup JaguaresXV 54 Boland Cavaliers 17 TRL Torneo Regional del Litoral Semifinals in la Bombonerita of GER: Jockey 31 Duendes 28. GER 17- Old Resian 21. Final game in Grantfield Stadium, Old Resian against Jockey Club de Rosario next weekend. Attendance of the semifinals 6500. 10000 are expected for the finals. Both Finalists are qualyfied to Nacional de Clubes.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Zimbabwe 39 Zambia 10 FT (Zambia with a consolation try in injury time, nice to see) Uganda 5 Kenya 16 - Simbas defend Elgon Cup.
Micio
Guest
Your totalitarian tone speaks loudly about the environment the arg teams are set on. I wonder if given a second SR franchise based in Mendoza with tactically selected regional players wouldn't be bring in the revenue needed to support it. Just a thought.
From North
Roar Rookie
In Russia, have the idea was to invite one of the clubs in South Africa to move to the south of Russia (Stavropol, Novorossiysk, Sochi …) for permanent deployment. There is an example of the Valke club moving to Malaysia for 4 months to participate in Rapid Rugby. The Russians want the South Africans to relocate in order to further obtain Russian citizenship by the players and coaches from South Africa. 1. Funding for the club from the Russian Union and local authorities. Providing a stadium for games and infrastructure for training. 2. For the first 3-5 years, this club is derived from the limit on foreign players. 3. The obligation in the early years to invite one young Russian player (under 23) from each Premier League club to rent, so that they play together with South Africans and learn from experience (11 Russian players every year). 4. In the first year, the club should organize a rugby academy. 5. After 3-5 years, coaches and key South African players must obtain second Russian citizenship in order to fit into the limits on foreigners and be able to play for the Russian team. 6. After 3-5 they should have a reserve team of their pupils. While it is at the level of the idea. It is assumed that the coaching staff and about 30 main players from South Africa will move. Also in Russia they will choose 11 Russian players from other clubs. But this does not mean that their native club in South Africa will cease to exist. It’s just that a new legal entity with a similar name will be created in Russia. For example. If SWD Eagles agree to move to Stavropol. A new club Орлы Ставрополья (Stavropol Eagles) with a similar emblem will be created in Stavropol. Why is Stavropol ideal? The good climate, the lack of large sports clubs, there are huge resources for educating players (local handball and basketball schools, as well as neighboring Caucasian regions with a developed wrestling schools). Stavropol Region is also now a priority region for relocating thousands of Boer farmers from South Africa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqdyyHJb_SE&t=39s
Andres
Guest
Indeed. SAs unconditional support towards ARG rugby is known and always acknowledged in Argentina.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I didn't say that the Jags should have to have a limit on the number of internationals they can have, I just don't think a country in Super Rugby should be allowed to concentrate all of it's best players by sticking indefinitely with one team. They should have to spread their players around like everybody else does, or the competition can't be considered fair. It would even reduce the satisfaction of a win for the Jags themselves, because whatever success they have they will know that it is because they are getting a leg up. The fact that other teams have a lot of internationals is a different issue, the Crusaders have that because they have been successful in developing those players, and so were the Tahs though the could probably do with some turnover now. When other teams, including the Jags and any future Argentine franchises do the same thing, then they can reap the rewards.
charly_777
Guest
I honestly know little about financial aspects, relative powers in each conference ... what do you think of a mini RWC from the south? Take any current conference ... leave only 2 locals teams from each conference (by lot) and integrate the other 3 teams from the other conferences and create a mini-tournament..classify the first 2 to 8th end ... maybe that 3 teams of a conference lose their local being is a disaster I do not know! And just an idealistic idea maybe!
charly
Guest
We must leave the hypocrisy motivated in some by the poor results of their teams! Want to put a limit of eligible players in the national team by SR team? the Tahs have 12 Wallabies, the Crusaders have 10 AB, let's be honest! The Jaguars have a bit more players than the national team ... but it's not the only one! On the other hand if they are limited to 5 players per team ... they will be more than half a team of jaguars to play in Europe! But then do not ask that "the Jaguars must be competitive!
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
TBC
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
They will be hopping mad for sure. Sad to hear about James Small today, btw. RIP. I guess that 95 final has its own 3 J's now - Jonah, Joost & James. Tragic.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
I have set it up for discussion, not to impose my personal view. That should be clear, and there have been about 100 responses in just over 24 hours - though probably quarter of them are mine, admittedly (( ;
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
A Hawaiian-based Islanders will get the US involved in Twiggy's league technically. That's a Pacific tournament, not a Southern Hemisphere tournament. North America does not belong in Super Rugby. The world minus Europe is a very Eurocentric way of looking at things and belongs in the colonial era.
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
yes, I am not concerned about depth regarding a 2nd Franchise.