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Los Pumas scrumhalf Tomás Cubelli has confirmed that he will indeed be playing Super Rugby but not for the Argentine franchise. Despite having signed with the UAR the 26 year old will instead play for Australian side the Brumbies, he told Argentine site ESPN Scrum.
Cubelli confirmed that “before the World Cup I had an offer to join Australian team the Brumbies for two years, but I preferred to not make a decision at that point in time so that I could focus on what lay ahead with Los Pumas at the World Cup, which was very important. With the World Cup over, yes I finalized terms”.
His move to Australia will occur in January but he is to travel this week to have everything ready for him to arrive and settle in. For this reason Cubelli will not travel with Daniel Hourcade’s squad to London for the match against the Barbarians on November 21.
Being based in Canberra will enable the 45-time capped scrumhalf to further develop his skills and will also free-up a vacancy on the Argentine Super Rugby roster. Traveling in place of Cubelli to face the Barbarians will be 22-year-old Felipe Ezcurra who is the front-runner to be signed. 21-year-old Gonzalo Bertranou is another option as is 24-year-olf Marcos Bollini.
Starting now no players based outside of Argentina will be considered for international duty. Cubelli, though, will be free for selection throughout the year. He confirmed that “I will be able to be selected if the coaches want me”.
Cubelli started in the opening World Cup fixture against New Zealand and was involved in all seven games, scoring tries against Georgia and Namibia.
