Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
Picky, picky, picky, Kronic. You seem to be expecting the ARU to actually do some research before making a decision. It's never happened in the past, so it's a bit late to start now. With regard to your insinuation that the Gold Coast does not have "a decent South American expat population", I consulted the authorative Australian Good Food & Travel Guide. It lists 588 Gold Coast restaurants.
Number of Argentinian cuisine restaurants: None
Number of South American cuisine restaurants: None
Perhaps all the Argentinian migrants on the Gold Coast have adapted to the traditional Australian cuisine and eat at Macca's.
Welcome aboard, kronic. On the basis of your first post you'll find a few kindred spirits here.
Schadenfreude
John Solomon (38)
Argentinian cuisine ... That's a steakhouse that's open late right?
C
Cave Dweller
Guest
lol I apologize for responding late. You guys want to know about Argentinian food and the culture?
Beef is the national dish of Argentina. Argentina have huge cattle ranches and the Argentinian cowboy is one of the well know symbols you will see.
Many of the fine dishes contains meat but is just prepared in a different way. A favorite main course is parrillada, a mixed grill of steak and other cuts of beef. Grilled steak is called churrasco , a beef roast cooked over an open fire is called asado , and beef that is dipped in eggs, crumbs, and then fried is called milanesa . Carbonada is a stew that contains meat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and chunks of corn on the cob.
Common restoranes are nearly anywhere in Argentina and serve dishes into the small hours. We love to eat. Minutas are a very popular thing. Minutas means quickly prepared meals. You must remember our culture have a lot of influences. Especialy our cuisine. It has Spanish, Italian and Arabic influences so you will recognize the styles especially in restoranes or where you go.
Here you see the Italian influence
This is a typical Asado (grill)
We love high proteien food so you will find lots of beef. Grilled beef from the Asado. Asado actually means BBQ in Argentina. I know Americans calls it BBQ and the Saffers calls it brai if I got it correctly. So if you hear them talking about Asado it is not donkey head or disguising thing. It is grilled beef. In some other parts of Argentina they prefer lamb and goat more. Here is a lot of farms and is almost similar to South Africa in the sense for the love of meat and meat dishes. We just have the cowboy and not the boer.
We love coffee as well. So coffee shops are very popular as well. We consume like 141 cups per capita, annually. Also bars where we love to meet during lunchtimes and so. No its not a barn or those ones in the cowboy movies but British style pubs! Like I said alot of cultures influenced us and we have the best bit of some of them. So you willl think your sitting in the UK except for Spanish speaking people (who are very friendly) in them enjoying sports.
We do not like spicey food that much like Mexicans do. The food may get spicier as you work your way into the interior of Argentina, but in the city, it isn't. Lunch is also very important here. Except for the bigger cities most town close for lunch.
Beef is the national dish of Argentina. Argentina have huge cattle ranches and the Argentinian cowboy is one of the well know symbols you will see.
Many of the fine dishes contains meat but is just prepared in a different way. A favorite main course is parrillada, a mixed grill of steak and other cuts of beef. Grilled steak is called churrasco , a beef roast cooked over an open fire is called asado , and beef that is dipped in eggs, crumbs, and then fried is called milanesa . Carbonada is a stew that contains meat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and chunks of corn on the cob.
Common restoranes are nearly anywhere in Argentina and serve dishes into the small hours. We love to eat. Minutas are a very popular thing. Minutas means quickly prepared meals. You must remember our culture have a lot of influences. Especialy our cuisine. It has Spanish, Italian and Arabic influences so you will recognize the styles especially in restoranes or where you go.
Here you see the Italian influence
This is a typical Asado (grill)
We love high proteien food so you will find lots of beef. Grilled beef from the Asado. Asado actually means BBQ in Argentina. I know Americans calls it BBQ and the Saffers calls it brai if I got it correctly. So if you hear them talking about Asado it is not donkey head or disguising thing. It is grilled beef. In some other parts of Argentina they prefer lamb and goat more. Here is a lot of farms and is almost similar to South Africa in the sense for the love of meat and meat dishes. We just have the cowboy and not the boer.
We love coffee as well. So coffee shops are very popular as well. We consume like 141 cups per capita, annually. Also bars where we love to meet during lunchtimes and so. No its not a barn or those ones in the cowboy movies but British style pubs! Like I said alot of cultures influenced us and we have the best bit of some of them. So you willl think your sitting in the UK except for Spanish speaking people (who are very friendly) in them enjoying sports.
We do not like spicey food that much like Mexicans do. The food may get spicier as you work your way into the interior of Argentina, but in the city, it isn't. Lunch is also very important here. Except for the bigger cities most town close for lunch.
C
Cave Dweller
Guest
Actual reason I came here is to post some news.
So that is good news. 1 down 29 to go
So that is good news. 1 down 29 to go
T
tranquility
Guest
Is this guy close to first XV selection?
C
Cave Dweller
Guest
Indeed. I am busy with compiling some info on some of the players and the ones to look out for. Mieres played a couple of tests llast one being in 2010 although against minnows. But what makes that news interesting is the way he went up from third choice flyhalf to first choice fly half with them and turned in some match winning performances for them. He is a very improved player and is on the up. He is still young and some of the older guys will not be around for long. But El Mago Juan Martín Hernández is still no 1
tigerland12
John Thornett (49)
Would be a shame if the likes of Albacete, Lobbe, Leguizamon, Contepomi, Hernandez ect weren't released from their clubs.
C
Cave Dweller
Guest
Gonzalo Camacho
The rise of Camacho into Los Pumas was no easy road. As an amateur player in Buenos Aires his chance came while playing Rugby Sevens for his country. He had come through the Argentine system and emerged as a Pumas player at the right time - just as the IRB were waking up to the need to help the UAR go professional. It took Argentina´s performance at Rugby World Cup 2007 to alert the sports gobal governing body and Gonzalo Camacho was a young player who was quickly selected and prepared by the PladAR system. While the system was coming together, Camacho made his test debut, scoring two tries vs Uruguay in March 2008. he earned his second test cap latter that year and scored a try vs Chile. His big break, however, did not come in 2008 but the following year and from Sevens rugby rather than rugby union. Camacho was in Argentina´s Sevens team and was a key player. He was a part of the team that finished second in the 2009 World Cup in Dubai. His performances had attracted the interests of scouts and English side, the Harlequins signed him no a two year deal starting in August 2009.
Camacho wrote his name in the history books in his final match for the club as he scored the only try of the 2011 Amlin Challenge Cup Final to give the London side a championship title, defeating Paris´ Stade Français. His impressive season cemented his place in the starting XV for Argentina for World Cup year and he, indeed, went on to be the teams starting right winger in Los Pumas´ key matches as he started all three crunch matches - vs England and Scotland in the group phase and vs New Zealand in the Quarter Final.
Despite not scoring a try at the World Cup, Camacho was an important player for Los Pumas. It was his defence that seemed to leave the biggest impression as he showed the world that it does not take a big mane to put in a big tackle.
His tackles vs England´s Ben Foden and New Zealand´s Richie McCaw were amongst the best of the tournament. Camacho is a lightweight at 82KG while McCaw is a big player, weighing 106KG. Camacho deliver the tackle but he forced the All Blacks captain five metres backwards.
His defence may well be what works out for him this year as Camacho´s place in Argentina´s starting XV is being challenged by the performances of Martín Bustos Moyano and Juan Imhoff in France and regular Pumas left winger, Horacio Agulla in England. All players are certain to feature for their country this year with Argentina having a much larger schedule that in previous years. The form and depth of Pumas wingers could well give the team an edge compared to Argentine teams of the past.
Juan Manuel Leguizamón
All developing nations stood up and applauded as Argentina defeated three tier one sides before losing to South Africa in the Semi Final and then recovering well to win the Bronze Final. One man who was on the field in the Bronze Final and is today a vital backrower for Argentina is Juan Manuel Leguizamón. Capable of playing anywhere in the backrow at club and international level, Leguizamón is well respected in Argentine circles. His international career started in 2005 as he debuted vs Japan and scored a try. It also saw him included and start for Argentina vs the British and Irish Lions. Leguizamón filled the boots of Gonzalo Longo and was impressive to the extent that London Irish signed him. He made a famous tackle, which earned him a yellow card vs France in the Bronze Final, on Sebastien Chabal. It has since gone down as a monster hit and is a youtube hit.
With Juan Matrín Fernández Lobbe being Santiago Phelan´s prefered choice off the back of the scrum, Leguizamón was moved to the 7 shirt in the years leading up to Rugby World Cup 2011. Playing in this position he scored tries vs England and Scotland in home tests in 2009 and 2010. His form, class and experience saw him start every match at Rugby World Cup 2011. Having played 39 tests for his country this far, Leguizamón is expected to notch up 50 appearances this year as Argentina are to play 12 test matches. The backrower is certainly going to be crucial to his teams chances and is an outstanding player.
Lucas González Amorosino
Like most Pumas players, González Amorosino was born in Buenos Aires. He comes from the Pucurá club which has produced a number of international players with former test winger Lucas Borges being such an example. It was his performances for Pucurá which saw him progress to where he is today. His big break came in 2009 when he was a part of Argentina´s Sevens team which finished second in the World Cup, behind Wales, in Dubai. His performances saw him earn a call up to Argentina´s senior side for the June internationals vs England that year. He took his chance when it came following an injury to veteran back Francisco Leonelli in the opening minutes of the match in Salta. This meant Argentina were fielding a young backthree of Gonzalo Camacho, Horacio Agulla and Lucas González Amorsino.
He played on four of Argentina´s five matches at Rugby World Cup 2011, starting against Romania and Georgia at fullback and impressing from the bench against both Scotland and New Zealand. In addition to scoring tries vs Romania and Scotland, González Amorosino was the second best linebreaker of the tournament.
The depth is impressive now unlike in 2008 when Argentina were left to find a replacement for Ignacio Corleto and struggled to do so until 2010. González Amorosino now, however, is the man to go to. With Santiago Phelan looking to play a more expansive brand of rugby it would be logical for the Montpellier fullback to wear Argentina´s 15 shirt. Since debuting vs Chile in San Juan in December 2007, González Amorosino has played 14 tests, scoring four tries. He has started 8 of the 14 matches thus far with five being on the wing and three at fullback.
Marcelo Bosch
Marcelo Bosch was unable to make Argentina´s squad for Rugby World Cup 2007. He was too young and had only debuted that year vs Italy in June and was a part of a very experimental side featuring few first choice Pumas. With Federico Todeschini not getting any younger and new coach, Santiago Phelan, looking to build a team for New Zealand 2011, Bosch was selected for the second time, this time at inside centre to face Italy in June 2008. It would, however, be his last appearance for his country for over two years as he was badly injured twice and required shoulder and knee surgery. He returned to international duty in November 2010 and was now seen as a centre rather than a flyhalf.
With Rugby World Cup 2011 approaching Bosch´s move to outside centre for Biarritz worked well for Los Pumas as there was no genuine player to cover for Tiesi. Flyhalf was taken care of, even with Juan Martín Hernández having been ruled out of the tournament with Felipe Contepomi, Santiago Fernández and Nicólas Sánchez all being used in the lead up to the tournament. This worked well for Bosch as it gave him the chance to be considered in the starting lineup as an outside centre. Before 2011 his four tests had been at flyhalf or inside centre but this changed when Tiesi was unfit to play in Argentina´s Rugby World Cup warm-up match vs Wales at the Millenium Stadium. It was Argentina´s only match of 2011 before the World Cup and Bosch started at 13.
Tiesi returned to full fitness in time for the teams first World Cup match, vs England in Dunedin and this meant Bosch was named on the bench as cover for both flyhalf and centre. Tiesi´s World Cup ended after less than 30 minutes after he had to leave the field injured. Contepomi also left injured which meant Bosch had to cover both with the help of Horacio Agulla as another winger, Juan Imhoff was also now on the field. Rather than fall apart in defence or lack options in attack, Argentina held firm and Bosch was one of the teams best players as he made multiple linebreaks and linked well with his teammates. He had a duel role of flyhalf and outside centre. His performance vs England underlined his qualities despite only having previously played 5 test matches.
On form the Pumas 13 shirt is his for The Rugby Championship and he is likely to be one of the older players in the backline. Aged 28, Bosch is older than the likes of Horacio Agulla, Martín Bustos Moyano, Lucas González Amorosino, Gonzalo Camacho, Santiago Fernández, Juan Imhoff, Gonzalo Tiesi and Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga. Of these players all are probable players for the international season. It is precisely the youth of these players which puts Los Pumas in a great position to not only achieve results on the field this year but also have a better team at Rugby World Cup 2015 that what played in New Zealand 2011. Bosch will be 31 come England 2015 and has the opportunity to permanently be a standout player for his country starting in June.
Juan Martín Hernández
Twenty-Nine year old Juan Martín Hernández is a name known very well to any serious rugby fan. It is, however, thought of by some that it is not a name that means as much today as it once did due to the multiple serious injuries which he has sustained since Rugby World Cup 2007. known in France as "El Mago", or "the magician", did not earn the name by chance. It came about as a result of his skills on the rugby field. The skills that saw him rise from a young age to become the best fullback and then flyhalf in France, and do so all by the age of 25. It happened due to his hard work combined with brilliant natural ability.
Hernandez appeared at Rugby World Cup 2003 as a 21 year old did so only having had made his Pumas debut made his debut several months earlier. It was at fullback vs Paraguay with Hernández scoring one try and converting two in Argentina´s 144-0 victory. The following week he earned his second cap, vs Uruguay and again started at fullback. It may not have been against tier one opposition but Hernández, nevertheless, had impressed and coach Marcelo Loffreda selected him for Argentina´s two home tests in June 2003 vs France and the teams away match vs South Africa. Hernández started two of the three matches at fullback and scored a try vs both powerhouse opponents.
Despite having had an impressive debut year for Argentina, Hernández was still an amateur player and 2004 would prove to be a year of massive changes. he would trade his Buenos Aires club of Deportiva Francesca for French powerhouses, Stade Francais. In quick time the young fullback turned into one of the best backs in the Top 14 and Heineken Cup and was a French champion in his debut season with Stade Français.
After having changed position to be Stade Français´ flyhalf in combination with Agustín Pichot at scrumhalf, he was ready for something special. Hernández was in hot form having won the French Championship and after was named at 10 for Argentina to open Rugby World Cup 2007 against the host nation, France. Hernández was vital to his teams´success, as Argentina modeled a game plan around his kicking skills and knocked over the hosts on their own turf. Two weeks latter the world was treated to the flyhalf performance of the World Cup as Hernández slotted three dropgoal vs Ireland but more importantly, had the game in the palm of his hand as he organized play superbly. It saw him nominated as one of four players for the prestigious IRB Player of the Year award for 2007, won by South Africa´s Bryan Habana.
Unfortunately he was badly plagued by injury problems the next 4 years. His last test appearance was vs England in 2009 - with Hernández directing the team to a good win. Hernández returned to the field for Racing Métro after the World Cup and has been making progress with the club. While some critics say he is not what he once was he has nonetheless, got three solid offers to consider - stay at Racing Métro, return to Stade Français or play Super Rugby for the Auckland Blues. The offers firmly suggest that his reputation remains strong. With Felipe Contepomi now aged 34 and Santiago Fernández prefered as n inside centre, Los Pumas´ 10 shirt is certainly going to be worn by Juan Martín Hernández this year. He has the chance of shouwing the Southern hemisphere just how good Argentina is at rugby.
Agustín Creevy
Argentine international forward Agustín Creevy has gone from being an outside contender for international honors to a first choice player and has done so in a short period of time. Creevy´s remarkable turn around came about when he was injured while playing for Biarritz as a backrower. The Basque club had contracted Creevy as a backrower, the position he had always played in. However, at the request of Argentine headcoach, Santiago Phelan, Creevy moved into the frontrow and changed to hooker. In changing, Creevy requested to be released from his contract with Biarritz and returned to Argentina in January 2009. The transition proved to be effective and Creevy was playing hooker for Los Jaguares (Argentina A) in the Churchill Cup in North America five months latter.
When Santiago Phelan named his squad for Argentina´s November 2009 tour of England, Wales and Scotland he did so with Creevy selected at hooker. Creevy was selected alongside Mario Ledesma and Alberto Vernet Basualdo and made his debut at hooker vs Scotland as a replacement for Vernet Basualdo. His high workrate was noticable and in coming on for Vernet Basualdo Argentina had a new found weapon on the park. It cemented Creevy as Argentina´s second choice hooker behind Ledesma (who missed the match due to his wife giving birth) and set the tone for Rugby World Cup 2011. In facing Scotland at Murrayfield, Creevy was playing his fourth test. He had made his debut vs Japan in 2005. Since changing to hooker, however, Creevy has played thirteen tests, all on the bench. But with the retirement of Ledesma the position is Creevy´s and not only because he is the player in waiting but also because he has been performing very well in the position.
Creevy has played for three French Top 14 clubs - Biarritz, Clermont and Montpellier. Clermont used him as a mediacal joker but as he was strugglging to get game time he requested to be released and he returned to Argentina to be named as captain of Los Pampas XV. He led the team to victory in the South African competition and did so in style as the Argentine team won every match.
After Rugby World Cup 2011, Creevy returned to France this time with Montpellier and has been the teams first choice hooker.
He is entering the 2012 international season as a player who could make a significant impact. His presence around the park is like a hooker but he has added speed which makers it tougher for the opposition to tackle him. He also has the ability to stand in the tackle and offload. Creevy has shown great strength to stand and off-load to a team mate and this has resulted in tries. Should he succeed in transforming his form for Montpellier into The Rugby Championship then he could be very exciting. He is, without question, a player to watch out for this year for Los Pumas.
Agustín Figuerola
His form for the club this season has been solid as he has case for a return to Los Pumas after having been left out of the squad for Rugby World Cup 2011. This season he has played twelve Top 14 Orange matches for Brive, seven in the starting lineup and has also played five times in the Amlin Challenge Cup. He is pusing hard to take the number 9 shirt from Nicolás Vergallo.
Horacio Agulla
Horacio Agulla (born October 22, 1984 in Buenos Aires) is a Wing / Full Back playing for Los Pumas. Argentina international Horacio Agulla joined Tigers in the summer of 2010 and ended his first season in England with a starting role on the wing in the Aviva Premiership Final against Saracens in May 2011.
After making his debut at Wasps in the early weeks of 2010/11, Agulla finished the season with 22 appearances but had to wait until May 2011 for his first try for Tigers, in the win over London Irish at Welford Road.
He proved a popular addition to the squad, with an appetite for work and a physicality beyond his frame.
A Rugby World Cup bronze medallist with Argentina in 2007, playing five games in the tournament, Horacio moved to France to play for Dax, then switching to Brive.
Agulla scored a try on his Test debut against Samoa in December 2005 and played for Argentina at Welford Road against Tigers in February 2007. He makes his second Rugby World Cup appearance in 2011.
Martín Bustos Moyano
Córdoba´s Martín Bustos Moyano has long been a fringe player for Argentina. The 26 year old winger or fullback has long been on team sheets for Argentine sides other than Los Pumas. The share lack of opportunities has been what has gone against him.With Argentina playing such few international matches players have a tougher time than in most other cases. While it is normal for first tier sides to face one Tier Two side a year, this is not the case for Los Pumas. Instead, Argentina´s international matches outside of those against tier one opposition are against third tier team from South America - mainly Chile and Uruguay but this year Brazil will also face Argentina.
In the case of Martín Bustos Moyano he is listed as an international player, having represented his country. But his only test appearance came in 2008 vs Chile. The amateur days of Argentine rugby are finally going away and now players who face the likes of Chile and Uruguay at a young age are able to go through the PladAR system, play in the Vodacom Cup and even get professional contracts to play in Argentina. Bustos Moyano got his big break in part because of this system. His rise came after having been in Argentina´s Sevens team which won Silver at the 2009 World Cup and regularly playing for Los Jaguares and Argentina A.
As a regular player for teams below the level of Los Pumas, Bustos Moyano was selected as one of the players in the first ever PladAR squad of players which were trained as semi-professional players in Argentina. He went on to play for Los Pampas XV in South Africa´s Vodacom Cup in its debut season in 2010. He was able to show his abilities on a weekly basis and it went a long way to landing him his big break - a contract with Montpellier. But it was not the Vodacom Cup which saw him attract interest, rather it was the involvement of Fabien Galthié as an assistant coach to Santiago Phelan. Upon taking up the position with Montpellier, Galthié contributed to the club´s signing of Martín Bustos Moyano as well as Santiago Fernández. The club now has six Pumas - all of whom are young, post 2007 generation players.
Bustos Moyano was a player to have underlined himself in the strongest possible way that season but was not selected for Rugby World Cup 2011. He was overlooked after having been injured in the post season and because Phelan opted for Juan Imhoff to join Horacio Agulla, Gonzalo Camacho and Lucas González Amorosino as the wingers. In 2012, however, it is likely that this will all change as Argentina now, at long last, will have a similar schedule as other first tier sides. It means more players will be needed as the season will be significantly longer and naturally there will be a need to replace injured or underperforming players. But, Martín Bustos Moyano is no longer a fringe player. He is a permanent first choice player for a strong performing team in France. He has been having a better season than Argentina´s World Cup right winger, Gonzalo Camacho and provides solid cover at fullback.
Bustos Moyano´s credentials also, importantly, include goalkicking. Argentina lost it´s World Cup match vs England because of goalkicking. Felipe Contepomi was off target and then injured with Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga also not able to find the mark. The pattern continued throughout Argentina´s campaign with far too many kicking going wide of the posts. Felipe Contepomi will be 35 during The Rugby Championship. Whether or not he does play, it is likely to be his final season for his country. Argentina does have alternative goalkicking options including Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernández, Lucas González Amorosino, Juan Martín Hernández and Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga. All are professionals for big European teams but none are as good at goalkicking as Bustos Moyano. The traditional policy of chosing a best team and then chosing a goal kicker from the team is likely to continue but should Bustos Moyano start it will be for more than just his kicking accuracy.
Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe
In June 2009, John Martin, or "Cork", joined Toulon in France. He was also a member of Argentine Sevens team for three years. Philippe Saint-Andre, his coach at Sale, said this of him: "Both in Argentina and France he is ranked as one of the best in the world of rugby. He also received offers from Toulouse, Stad Francais and Biarritz.
John Martin, enjoyed a great season 2008/2009 with the Sale Sharks, where he served as captain. He was named by the Association of Professional Rugby Players as one of the best players in the Guinness Premiership. Cork, currently plays in France, played in 2011 in his second World Cup, during which he had an important role and played high level rugby, until he suffered an injury in the match against Scotland. Despite being written off of these games, the player chose to remain in New Zealand with the delegation.
Maximiliano Bustos
His first appearance for the Pumas was in June last year, when he was summoned to face the French Barbarians.
The first line took its first steps in rugby at the University Club of Santa Fe since been listed as one of the most promising players in the country. Days after his debut for the Pumas, the French press announced that Maximilian would become the new booster for the club Montpellier.
He was part of the squad for the Pumas in the World Cup. He have not play in any tests yet but with players like Martín Scelzo and Rodrigo Roncero starting to reach the twilight of their careers he will be one of the guys who will carry the Argentinian scrummage legacy forward.
Tomas Vallejos Cinalli
In 2011, he participated in his first World Cup without having played any previous test match with the Pumas and made his official debut against Georgia in the last match of Argentina in the group stage.
Patricio Albacete
Marcos Ayerza
In June 2006, played two test matches during the tour of Wales by Argentina and a year later took part in the World Cup in France 2007. He scored his first try against Japan, in 2005, and from that moment, became an important option for the position in the Selected Column.
When he played in junior divisions, Mark used to serve as second line. After starting in rugby at the Club Newman, Mark joined Leicester Tigers, where he reached the European Cup final in 2007 and was crowned Premiership champions in 2007 and 2009. In 2011 he played his second World Cup for the Pumas in New Zealand.
That is where I will stop for now but will add some of the other as time goes on. Yes there a lot more players to come. I would like to thank my friends over at Rugby World Cup - Argentina 2023 for providing the data. I would also just call on everyone to support Argentina as we are bidding to host the 2023 WC. I believe we have the structure to host it and have a lot of shining and upcoming players to do well in the future. Hosting a rugby WC will do wonders for the sport in Argentina.
The rise of Camacho into Los Pumas was no easy road. As an amateur player in Buenos Aires his chance came while playing Rugby Sevens for his country. He had come through the Argentine system and emerged as a Pumas player at the right time - just as the IRB were waking up to the need to help the UAR go professional. It took Argentina´s performance at Rugby World Cup 2007 to alert the sports gobal governing body and Gonzalo Camacho was a young player who was quickly selected and prepared by the PladAR system. While the system was coming together, Camacho made his test debut, scoring two tries vs Uruguay in March 2008. he earned his second test cap latter that year and scored a try vs Chile. His big break, however, did not come in 2008 but the following year and from Sevens rugby rather than rugby union. Camacho was in Argentina´s Sevens team and was a key player. He was a part of the team that finished second in the 2009 World Cup in Dubai. His performances had attracted the interests of scouts and English side, the Harlequins signed him no a two year deal starting in August 2009.
Camacho wrote his name in the history books in his final match for the club as he scored the only try of the 2011 Amlin Challenge Cup Final to give the London side a championship title, defeating Paris´ Stade Français. His impressive season cemented his place in the starting XV for Argentina for World Cup year and he, indeed, went on to be the teams starting right winger in Los Pumas´ key matches as he started all three crunch matches - vs England and Scotland in the group phase and vs New Zealand in the Quarter Final.
Despite not scoring a try at the World Cup, Camacho was an important player for Los Pumas. It was his defence that seemed to leave the biggest impression as he showed the world that it does not take a big mane to put in a big tackle.
His tackles vs England´s Ben Foden and New Zealand´s Richie McCaw were amongst the best of the tournament. Camacho is a lightweight at 82KG while McCaw is a big player, weighing 106KG. Camacho deliver the tackle but he forced the All Blacks captain five metres backwards.
His defence may well be what works out for him this year as Camacho´s place in Argentina´s starting XV is being challenged by the performances of Martín Bustos Moyano and Juan Imhoff in France and regular Pumas left winger, Horacio Agulla in England. All players are certain to feature for their country this year with Argentina having a much larger schedule that in previous years. The form and depth of Pumas wingers could well give the team an edge compared to Argentine teams of the past.
Juan Manuel Leguizamón
All developing nations stood up and applauded as Argentina defeated three tier one sides before losing to South Africa in the Semi Final and then recovering well to win the Bronze Final. One man who was on the field in the Bronze Final and is today a vital backrower for Argentina is Juan Manuel Leguizamón. Capable of playing anywhere in the backrow at club and international level, Leguizamón is well respected in Argentine circles. His international career started in 2005 as he debuted vs Japan and scored a try. It also saw him included and start for Argentina vs the British and Irish Lions. Leguizamón filled the boots of Gonzalo Longo and was impressive to the extent that London Irish signed him. He made a famous tackle, which earned him a yellow card vs France in the Bronze Final, on Sebastien Chabal. It has since gone down as a monster hit and is a youtube hit.
With Juan Matrín Fernández Lobbe being Santiago Phelan´s prefered choice off the back of the scrum, Leguizamón was moved to the 7 shirt in the years leading up to Rugby World Cup 2011. Playing in this position he scored tries vs England and Scotland in home tests in 2009 and 2010. His form, class and experience saw him start every match at Rugby World Cup 2011. Having played 39 tests for his country this far, Leguizamón is expected to notch up 50 appearances this year as Argentina are to play 12 test matches. The backrower is certainly going to be crucial to his teams chances and is an outstanding player.
Lucas González Amorosino
Like most Pumas players, González Amorosino was born in Buenos Aires. He comes from the Pucurá club which has produced a number of international players with former test winger Lucas Borges being such an example. It was his performances for Pucurá which saw him progress to where he is today. His big break came in 2009 when he was a part of Argentina´s Sevens team which finished second in the World Cup, behind Wales, in Dubai. His performances saw him earn a call up to Argentina´s senior side for the June internationals vs England that year. He took his chance when it came following an injury to veteran back Francisco Leonelli in the opening minutes of the match in Salta. This meant Argentina were fielding a young backthree of Gonzalo Camacho, Horacio Agulla and Lucas González Amorsino.
He played on four of Argentina´s five matches at Rugby World Cup 2011, starting against Romania and Georgia at fullback and impressing from the bench against both Scotland and New Zealand. In addition to scoring tries vs Romania and Scotland, González Amorosino was the second best linebreaker of the tournament.
The depth is impressive now unlike in 2008 when Argentina were left to find a replacement for Ignacio Corleto and struggled to do so until 2010. González Amorosino now, however, is the man to go to. With Santiago Phelan looking to play a more expansive brand of rugby it would be logical for the Montpellier fullback to wear Argentina´s 15 shirt. Since debuting vs Chile in San Juan in December 2007, González Amorosino has played 14 tests, scoring four tries. He has started 8 of the 14 matches thus far with five being on the wing and three at fullback.
Marcelo Bosch
Marcelo Bosch was unable to make Argentina´s squad for Rugby World Cup 2007. He was too young and had only debuted that year vs Italy in June and was a part of a very experimental side featuring few first choice Pumas. With Federico Todeschini not getting any younger and new coach, Santiago Phelan, looking to build a team for New Zealand 2011, Bosch was selected for the second time, this time at inside centre to face Italy in June 2008. It would, however, be his last appearance for his country for over two years as he was badly injured twice and required shoulder and knee surgery. He returned to international duty in November 2010 and was now seen as a centre rather than a flyhalf.
With Rugby World Cup 2011 approaching Bosch´s move to outside centre for Biarritz worked well for Los Pumas as there was no genuine player to cover for Tiesi. Flyhalf was taken care of, even with Juan Martín Hernández having been ruled out of the tournament with Felipe Contepomi, Santiago Fernández and Nicólas Sánchez all being used in the lead up to the tournament. This worked well for Bosch as it gave him the chance to be considered in the starting lineup as an outside centre. Before 2011 his four tests had been at flyhalf or inside centre but this changed when Tiesi was unfit to play in Argentina´s Rugby World Cup warm-up match vs Wales at the Millenium Stadium. It was Argentina´s only match of 2011 before the World Cup and Bosch started at 13.
Tiesi returned to full fitness in time for the teams first World Cup match, vs England in Dunedin and this meant Bosch was named on the bench as cover for both flyhalf and centre. Tiesi´s World Cup ended after less than 30 minutes after he had to leave the field injured. Contepomi also left injured which meant Bosch had to cover both with the help of Horacio Agulla as another winger, Juan Imhoff was also now on the field. Rather than fall apart in defence or lack options in attack, Argentina held firm and Bosch was one of the teams best players as he made multiple linebreaks and linked well with his teammates. He had a duel role of flyhalf and outside centre. His performance vs England underlined his qualities despite only having previously played 5 test matches.
On form the Pumas 13 shirt is his for The Rugby Championship and he is likely to be one of the older players in the backline. Aged 28, Bosch is older than the likes of Horacio Agulla, Martín Bustos Moyano, Lucas González Amorosino, Gonzalo Camacho, Santiago Fernández, Juan Imhoff, Gonzalo Tiesi and Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga. Of these players all are probable players for the international season. It is precisely the youth of these players which puts Los Pumas in a great position to not only achieve results on the field this year but also have a better team at Rugby World Cup 2015 that what played in New Zealand 2011. Bosch will be 31 come England 2015 and has the opportunity to permanently be a standout player for his country starting in June.
Juan Martín Hernández
Twenty-Nine year old Juan Martín Hernández is a name known very well to any serious rugby fan. It is, however, thought of by some that it is not a name that means as much today as it once did due to the multiple serious injuries which he has sustained since Rugby World Cup 2007. known in France as "El Mago", or "the magician", did not earn the name by chance. It came about as a result of his skills on the rugby field. The skills that saw him rise from a young age to become the best fullback and then flyhalf in France, and do so all by the age of 25. It happened due to his hard work combined with brilliant natural ability.
Hernandez appeared at Rugby World Cup 2003 as a 21 year old did so only having had made his Pumas debut made his debut several months earlier. It was at fullback vs Paraguay with Hernández scoring one try and converting two in Argentina´s 144-0 victory. The following week he earned his second cap, vs Uruguay and again started at fullback. It may not have been against tier one opposition but Hernández, nevertheless, had impressed and coach Marcelo Loffreda selected him for Argentina´s two home tests in June 2003 vs France and the teams away match vs South Africa. Hernández started two of the three matches at fullback and scored a try vs both powerhouse opponents.
Despite having had an impressive debut year for Argentina, Hernández was still an amateur player and 2004 would prove to be a year of massive changes. he would trade his Buenos Aires club of Deportiva Francesca for French powerhouses, Stade Francais. In quick time the young fullback turned into one of the best backs in the Top 14 and Heineken Cup and was a French champion in his debut season with Stade Français.
After having changed position to be Stade Français´ flyhalf in combination with Agustín Pichot at scrumhalf, he was ready for something special. Hernández was in hot form having won the French Championship and after was named at 10 for Argentina to open Rugby World Cup 2007 against the host nation, France. Hernández was vital to his teams´success, as Argentina modeled a game plan around his kicking skills and knocked over the hosts on their own turf. Two weeks latter the world was treated to the flyhalf performance of the World Cup as Hernández slotted three dropgoal vs Ireland but more importantly, had the game in the palm of his hand as he organized play superbly. It saw him nominated as one of four players for the prestigious IRB Player of the Year award for 2007, won by South Africa´s Bryan Habana.
Unfortunately he was badly plagued by injury problems the next 4 years. His last test appearance was vs England in 2009 - with Hernández directing the team to a good win. Hernández returned to the field for Racing Métro after the World Cup and has been making progress with the club. While some critics say he is not what he once was he has nonetheless, got three solid offers to consider - stay at Racing Métro, return to Stade Français or play Super Rugby for the Auckland Blues. The offers firmly suggest that his reputation remains strong. With Felipe Contepomi now aged 34 and Santiago Fernández prefered as n inside centre, Los Pumas´ 10 shirt is certainly going to be worn by Juan Martín Hernández this year. He has the chance of shouwing the Southern hemisphere just how good Argentina is at rugby.
Agustín Creevy
Argentine international forward Agustín Creevy has gone from being an outside contender for international honors to a first choice player and has done so in a short period of time. Creevy´s remarkable turn around came about when he was injured while playing for Biarritz as a backrower. The Basque club had contracted Creevy as a backrower, the position he had always played in. However, at the request of Argentine headcoach, Santiago Phelan, Creevy moved into the frontrow and changed to hooker. In changing, Creevy requested to be released from his contract with Biarritz and returned to Argentina in January 2009. The transition proved to be effective and Creevy was playing hooker for Los Jaguares (Argentina A) in the Churchill Cup in North America five months latter.
When Santiago Phelan named his squad for Argentina´s November 2009 tour of England, Wales and Scotland he did so with Creevy selected at hooker. Creevy was selected alongside Mario Ledesma and Alberto Vernet Basualdo and made his debut at hooker vs Scotland as a replacement for Vernet Basualdo. His high workrate was noticable and in coming on for Vernet Basualdo Argentina had a new found weapon on the park. It cemented Creevy as Argentina´s second choice hooker behind Ledesma (who missed the match due to his wife giving birth) and set the tone for Rugby World Cup 2011. In facing Scotland at Murrayfield, Creevy was playing his fourth test. He had made his debut vs Japan in 2005. Since changing to hooker, however, Creevy has played thirteen tests, all on the bench. But with the retirement of Ledesma the position is Creevy´s and not only because he is the player in waiting but also because he has been performing very well in the position.
Creevy has played for three French Top 14 clubs - Biarritz, Clermont and Montpellier. Clermont used him as a mediacal joker but as he was strugglging to get game time he requested to be released and he returned to Argentina to be named as captain of Los Pampas XV. He led the team to victory in the South African competition and did so in style as the Argentine team won every match.
After Rugby World Cup 2011, Creevy returned to France this time with Montpellier and has been the teams first choice hooker.
He is entering the 2012 international season as a player who could make a significant impact. His presence around the park is like a hooker but he has added speed which makers it tougher for the opposition to tackle him. He also has the ability to stand in the tackle and offload. Creevy has shown great strength to stand and off-load to a team mate and this has resulted in tries. Should he succeed in transforming his form for Montpellier into The Rugby Championship then he could be very exciting. He is, without question, a player to watch out for this year for Los Pumas.
Agustín Figuerola
His form for the club this season has been solid as he has case for a return to Los Pumas after having been left out of the squad for Rugby World Cup 2011. This season he has played twelve Top 14 Orange matches for Brive, seven in the starting lineup and has also played five times in the Amlin Challenge Cup. He is pusing hard to take the number 9 shirt from Nicolás Vergallo.
Horacio Agulla
Horacio Agulla (born October 22, 1984 in Buenos Aires) is a Wing / Full Back playing for Los Pumas. Argentina international Horacio Agulla joined Tigers in the summer of 2010 and ended his first season in England with a starting role on the wing in the Aviva Premiership Final against Saracens in May 2011.
After making his debut at Wasps in the early weeks of 2010/11, Agulla finished the season with 22 appearances but had to wait until May 2011 for his first try for Tigers, in the win over London Irish at Welford Road.
He proved a popular addition to the squad, with an appetite for work and a physicality beyond his frame.
A Rugby World Cup bronze medallist with Argentina in 2007, playing five games in the tournament, Horacio moved to France to play for Dax, then switching to Brive.
Agulla scored a try on his Test debut against Samoa in December 2005 and played for Argentina at Welford Road against Tigers in February 2007. He makes his second Rugby World Cup appearance in 2011.
Martín Bustos Moyano
Córdoba´s Martín Bustos Moyano has long been a fringe player for Argentina. The 26 year old winger or fullback has long been on team sheets for Argentine sides other than Los Pumas. The share lack of opportunities has been what has gone against him.With Argentina playing such few international matches players have a tougher time than in most other cases. While it is normal for first tier sides to face one Tier Two side a year, this is not the case for Los Pumas. Instead, Argentina´s international matches outside of those against tier one opposition are against third tier team from South America - mainly Chile and Uruguay but this year Brazil will also face Argentina.
In the case of Martín Bustos Moyano he is listed as an international player, having represented his country. But his only test appearance came in 2008 vs Chile. The amateur days of Argentine rugby are finally going away and now players who face the likes of Chile and Uruguay at a young age are able to go through the PladAR system, play in the Vodacom Cup and even get professional contracts to play in Argentina. Bustos Moyano got his big break in part because of this system. His rise came after having been in Argentina´s Sevens team which won Silver at the 2009 World Cup and regularly playing for Los Jaguares and Argentina A.
As a regular player for teams below the level of Los Pumas, Bustos Moyano was selected as one of the players in the first ever PladAR squad of players which were trained as semi-professional players in Argentina. He went on to play for Los Pampas XV in South Africa´s Vodacom Cup in its debut season in 2010. He was able to show his abilities on a weekly basis and it went a long way to landing him his big break - a contract with Montpellier. But it was not the Vodacom Cup which saw him attract interest, rather it was the involvement of Fabien Galthié as an assistant coach to Santiago Phelan. Upon taking up the position with Montpellier, Galthié contributed to the club´s signing of Martín Bustos Moyano as well as Santiago Fernández. The club now has six Pumas - all of whom are young, post 2007 generation players.
Bustos Moyano was a player to have underlined himself in the strongest possible way that season but was not selected for Rugby World Cup 2011. He was overlooked after having been injured in the post season and because Phelan opted for Juan Imhoff to join Horacio Agulla, Gonzalo Camacho and Lucas González Amorosino as the wingers. In 2012, however, it is likely that this will all change as Argentina now, at long last, will have a similar schedule as other first tier sides. It means more players will be needed as the season will be significantly longer and naturally there will be a need to replace injured or underperforming players. But, Martín Bustos Moyano is no longer a fringe player. He is a permanent first choice player for a strong performing team in France. He has been having a better season than Argentina´s World Cup right winger, Gonzalo Camacho and provides solid cover at fullback.
Bustos Moyano´s credentials also, importantly, include goalkicking. Argentina lost it´s World Cup match vs England because of goalkicking. Felipe Contepomi was off target and then injured with Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga also not able to find the mark. The pattern continued throughout Argentina´s campaign with far too many kicking going wide of the posts. Felipe Contepomi will be 35 during The Rugby Championship. Whether or not he does play, it is likely to be his final season for his country. Argentina does have alternative goalkicking options including Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Fernández, Lucas González Amorosino, Juan Martín Hernández and Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga. All are professionals for big European teams but none are as good at goalkicking as Bustos Moyano. The traditional policy of chosing a best team and then chosing a goal kicker from the team is likely to continue but should Bustos Moyano start it will be for more than just his kicking accuracy.
Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe
- Position: Forwards (3 rd line - wing), Forwards (3 rd line - eighth)
- Birth: Buenos Aires
- Age: 31 (19/11/1981)
- Height: 1.9 m
- Weight: 105kg
- Tests: 43
- Captain:
- Test Debut: 28/04/2004 vs. Uruguay
- Current Team:
Toulon (FFR)
In June 2009, John Martin, or "Cork", joined Toulon in France. He was also a member of Argentine Sevens team for three years. Philippe Saint-Andre, his coach at Sale, said this of him: "Both in Argentina and France he is ranked as one of the best in the world of rugby. He also received offers from Toulouse, Stad Francais and Biarritz.
John Martin, enjoyed a great season 2008/2009 with the Sale Sharks, where he served as captain. He was named by the Association of Professional Rugby Players as one of the best players in the Guinness Premiership. Cork, currently plays in France, played in 2011 in his second World Cup, during which he had an important role and played high level rugby, until he suffered an injury in the match against Scotland. Despite being written off of these games, the player chose to remain in New Zealand with the delegation.
Maximiliano Bustos
- Position: Forward (1 st line - column)
- Birth: Santa Fe
- Age: 26 (02/04/1986)
- Height: 1.83 m
- Weight: 130kg
- Tests: 0
- Captain:
- Current Team:
Montpellier Herault (FFR)
His first appearance for the Pumas was in June last year, when he was summoned to face the French Barbarians.
The first line took its first steps in rugby at the University Club of Santa Fe since been listed as one of the most promising players in the country. Days after his debut for the Pumas, the French press announced that Maximilian would become the new booster for the club Montpellier.
He was part of the squad for the Pumas in the World Cup. He have not play in any tests yet but with players like Martín Scelzo and Rodrigo Roncero starting to reach the twilight of their careers he will be one of the guys who will carry the Argentinian scrummage legacy forward.
Tomas Vallejos Cinalli
- Position: Forward (2 nd line)
- Birth: Rosario
- Age: 28 (10.16.1984)
- Height: 1.95 m
- Weight: 109kg
- Tests: 1
- Captain:
- Current Team:
Harlequins (RFU)
In 2011, he participated in his first World Cup without having played any previous test match with the Pumas and made his official debut against Georgia in the last match of Argentina in the group stage.
Patricio Albacete
- Position: Forward (2 nd line)
- Birth: Buenos Aires
- Age: 31 (09/02/1981)
- Height: 2m
- Weight: 123kg
- Tests: 46
- Captain:
- Test Debut: 27/04/2003 vs. Paraguay
- Current Team:
Stade Toulousian (FFR)
Marcos Ayerza
- Position: Forward (1 st line - column)
- Birth: Buenos Aires
- Age: 29 (12.01.1983)
- Height: 1.86 m
- Weight: 113kg
- Tests: 34
- Captain:
- Test Debut: 04/12/2004 vs. South Africa
- Current Team:
Leicester (RFU)
In June 2006, played two test matches during the tour of Wales by Argentina and a year later took part in the World Cup in France 2007. He scored his first try against Japan, in 2005, and from that moment, became an important option for the position in the Selected Column.
When he played in junior divisions, Mark used to serve as second line. After starting in rugby at the Club Newman, Mark joined Leicester Tigers, where he reached the European Cup final in 2007 and was crowned Premiership champions in 2007 and 2009. In 2011 he played his second World Cup for the Pumas in New Zealand.
That is where I will stop for now but will add some of the other as time goes on. Yes there a lot more players to come. I would like to thank my friends over at Rugby World Cup - Argentina 2023 for providing the data. I would also just call on everyone to support Argentina as we are bidding to host the 2023 WC. I believe we have the structure to host it and have a lot of shining and upcoming players to do well in the future. Hosting a rugby WC will do wonders for the sport in Argentina.
C
Cave Dweller
Guest
It would be but I have faith that it would be sorteed out as we are under contract to field our best side. Plus most Argentine players passion is country before club. As you seen in the above some players are not scared to ask for a release in their contracts to help out their country even going back home and play as amateurs. But with the contract with the tv broadcasters comes funds to pay the Argentine players for the duration of the Championship. Like I said earlier a lot of these players comes from advantage communities and boast professions like doctors. Unlike Mr Carlos Tevez they are not spoiled hungry chasing brats (Thank God)
Not a problem. I actually made myself hungry with that and miss my mammas cooking very much
T
tranquility
Guest
Amorisino is such a talent.
Great article, and resource of information. Do you like in Argentina?
Great article, and resource of information. Do you like in Argentina?
C
Cave Dweller
Guest
Not at the current moment. I am studying in Brasil and will visit through out the year when studies permits it. But for the next 5 to 6 years I have to do my studies here. Luckily it is not far from home.
There is a lot of talent playing in France. That 2007 3rd place did more for this countries rugby in a couple of weeks than what it could achieve since the ARU were establish.
Penguin
John Solomon (38)
Why should the ARU give a flying fuck about the expat South American population? It's an Australian home fixture.....The Gold Coast is a pretty major city, close for a lot of supporters from northern NSW, close enough to Brisbane, which, because you're so concerned, has a pretty good population of expat Argies etc. Plus, if my experience at the World Cup is any indication, a lot of supporters might make the trip over & give the local tourism a bit of a boost.
Helps spread the gospel outside the usual centres. It's a good move imo. Where would you have liked to have seen the game? Hopefully this fixture will be shared around to some of the smaller centres/stadiums, like Gosford, ACT, Townsville etc.
Ulrich
Nev Cottrell (35)
I've also visited some South American countries, namely Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina and they're all fantastic! Argentina reminds me a lot of my own country though.
I also have huge respect for their rugby and I'm super excited to have them play with us! We'll have four nations to stick it to the NH in the very near future
!
I also have huge respect for their rugby and I'm super excited to have them play with us! We'll have four nations to stick it to the NH in the very near future
!
Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
Ignacio looks to have tighter shorts than Lawrie Weeks. The best way to tell them apart is to recognise that the leg seams of Ignacio's shorts appear to be subjected to pressure well in excess of design load whereas Lawrie is yet to finish a home match this season without feeling an icy blast from Bass Strait on his bum crack.
Help is at hand. Extreme Marquees have signed on as Lawrie's personal shorts sponsor and are fabricating new shorts for him using left-over tarpaulin from a circus big top they have just constructed. However, his appearance in the new indestructibles might be delayed because of an ongoing dispute with SANZAR officials over how much of Lawrie's arse they will be permitted to cover with the company logo.
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Bruce Ross
Ken Catchpole (46)
Right on, Penguin, I could not agree more. In the very unlikely event that the ARU ever decides to give flying fucks about anyone they should start with us locals. We've been queued up for years waiting.
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C
Cave Dweller
Guest
lol Funny you should mention that. I was reading Law Ruling documents which is basically gray areas of a current law the Rugby Unions will submit where it will be either revised, explained or amended etc etc. Now most of the unions asked about rucks and gave scenarios etc etc.
This is what the french asked
IRB Reply
lol
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Yeah... why would they want large crowds and bigger revenue?!?!
Anyways, they really should've played this one in Melbourne at least...