Cordero, Moroni, Rojas return for Pumas 7s

Three players to have featured prominently in recent seasons – Cordero, Moroni and Rojas return to Los Pumas 7’s for Paris and London. The trio have been selected by Head Coach Santiago Gómez Cora for the final two remaining stages of this season’s HSBC World Series.

With 2016 being an Olympic year the Paris and London Sevens tournaments are vital to all competitors. Los Pumas 7’s are to train in camp in Buenos Aires on Thursday May 05 and Friday May 06 before traveling to Paris on Saturday May 07. The Paris Sevens will take place from May 13-15 with Los Pumas 7’s playing the hosts in addition to colliding with both Canada and the USA in pool play.

The following weekend it will be London’s turn to host with it doing so on May 21-22 in the final stage of the season. The roster has been selected for both European legs for this reason. The twelve selected are now strongly positioned to play for their country at Rio 2016.

The selection of all three is notable for two reasons. Firstly both Santiago Cordero and Matías Moroni are to miss out on playing Super Rugby matches before and during the dates of the Sevens series. Secondly Javier Rojas has been selected despite playing his rugby for a foreign club. It comes in contrary to the stated policy of the UAR which prohibits players based outside of Argentina from being considered for International duty.

Prior to agreeing to join the Brumbies Tomás Cubelli was given clearance to play in Australia. With it being Super Rugby it was considered not to be conflicting with the interests of Los Pumas. Players based in Europe, however, are following calendars which conflict with the international needs of Argentina.

Rojas’ inclusion is not expected to be the only one of its kind. A selection of European based Pumas have been tipped to play under Daniel Hourcade in the Rugby Championship. Such names include Marcos Ayerza, Mariano Galarza and Juan Imhoff.