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On the back of negative results, Argentine teams are under pressure. None of the five UAR sides have met 2017 expectations. Los Pumas 7’s lack the edge of the past, Los Jaguares have struggled to win in Super Rugby, Los Pumas lost against an understrength England, the Argentina XV has been a flop, while Los Pumitas were underwhelming in the Junior World Championship.
The lack of positive results has Argentine rugby now at a crisis point. Serious questions are being asked regarding the systems in place. Why so many losses? Are they the best they could be? Can Argentina continue to block foreign-based players from Los Pumas?
These, and other questions, have UAR coaches and officials under scrutiny. Daniel Hourcade has notably defended the system and UAR President Carlos Araujo has now ended speculation – the UAR is holding firm on its policies.
Elected President in 2014, the Rosarian is now into his second mandate. It will conclude in March 2018. Araujo responded to questioning in the Argentine sporting newspaper Diario Olé. He declared: “every one has an explanation. It is very difficult to take in all of the results and say ‘this is very bad‘. On August 02 we are having a press conference in which every coach will give their explanations, and maybe they are not all going to be nice”.
“The rules that the UAR impose are to protect a system that we would like to capitalize on and continue growing. But as they are the union’s policies, the next council will have the power to make exceptions if they see fit to do so.”
“If all of the wingers were to get injured, we can call-up Imhoff. Notwithstanding, perhaps it would not be necessary. To play in the Rugby World Cup players must be contracted by the union from June 2018, and perhaps some players will return by this date.”
Last month Argentina played home tests in San Juan, Santa Fé and Jujuy. Taking on England and Georgia, the matches saw exclusively Argentine-based players selected. Australian-based Tomás Cubelli played one year prior but missed this year through injury.
Last November injuries to wingers saw Hourcade starting centers Matías Moroni, Matías Orlando and Juan Pablo Estelles in tests in the U.K. Juan Imhoff was fit but not considered due to his contract with Racing 92.
