Hourcade Had Been Set to Use Four Europeans in June Internationals

Daniel Hourcade had been set to use four Europeans in June Internationals. In his final day as Los Pumas Head Coach, Hourcade confirmed in an interview with Jorge Búsico that decisions had been made and players green lighted and spoken to about playing for their country.

The ending of the blockade on European-based players had been confirmed by Argentina. It was then reversed following encouraging results from Los Jaguares in Super Rugby. The team’s 4-0 tour to Oceania was fundamental in determining who would be wearing Los Pumas’ uniforms this month. The final decision came with the signing of Nicolás Sánchez for Stade Français. Tough decisions were needed and this saw players who were set to appear in June not having the opportunity.

The identities of these players have also come to light. While many would immediately expect Juan Imhoff and Facundo Isa to be automatically on the list the reality is neither were among the four. Imhoff misses out not based on his abilities but instead due to Los Jaguares wingers having performed well in 2018. Isa, meanwhile, is sidelined for six months.

The first name is not one which will come as a surprise. It is Saracens’ Juan Figallo. Hourcade, himself, noted in 2017 that he would love to have Figallo in his team. His absence has been a constant talking point given the frailties of Argentina’s scrum since RWC 2015. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Santiago Medrano are Hourcade’s tighthead props this month. The former played loosehead for a period based on the needs of the team while the later debuted against Wales.

Also among the four names is Lyon tighthead Francisco Gómez Kodela. This past season in France he was among the best tighthead props. He has impressed over a lengthily period yet has never played a test under Hourcade. He did so under Santiago Phelan with Hourcade utilizing alternative options including Ramiro Herrera who was not among the four.

The very inclusion of Gómez Kodela was a strong indication of the rethinking that had taken place. Hourcade’s long-standing view of selecting from home saw Pampas XV players regularly selected ahead of European-Based talent. For RWC 2015 this saw the highly gifted Patricio Fernández missing out with Santiago González Iglesias selected.

The retirement of Juan Martín Hernández earlier this year left Hourcade with no player officially covering Sánchez. Hourcade attempted to cover over the lack of options by naming five players as fly half options. The reality was that Mario Ledesma was not using these players for Super Rugby and none were adequate options for the immediate needs of Los Pumas.

Hourcade had gone against his own strategies to have Patricio Fernández listed. It would have marked a first time in which Fernández had played under Hourcade. His previous two caps came in May 2013 against Brazil and Chile. There is no denying that the Clermont play-maker would have added a new dimension to Los Pumas. The back-peddling only provides emphasis onto the extent of the problems facing Argentina behind the scenes.

The u-turn officially indicates that, as of November 2018, Argentina’s top two 10’s are to be French-based. Yet it arguably goes deeper with Benjamín Urdapilleta being a player that surely cannot be ignored for much longer. He was not one of the four though with the remaining name instead being Mariano Galarza.

Galarza was a Hourcade regular prior to the eligibility rule change. Yet him being among the four is curious given Argentina’s needs. Second-row is well covered with Matías Alemanno, Tomás Lavanini, Guido Petti, and Marcos Kremer. Indeed the stocks have seen Kremer playing flanker. Does this mean Hourcade was contemplating moving another player, perhaps Petti to flanker? This question is likely to remain unanswered.

Hourcade was thereby not looking to replace Joaquín Tuculet from Europe. Santiago Cordero may now be better placed with an eye to RWC 2019. Similarly not included of note is Marcelo Bosch. This despite Matías Moroni not being match-fit and with Emiliano Boffelli playing fullback. Who would Hourcade have used to cover Matías Orlando if required? The answer appears to be a player from out of position – Jerónimo de la Fuente or González Iglesias.

Within 10 days Hourcade’s replacement will be known. Mario Ledesma and Gonzalo Quesada are the two names floating around. The new coaching staff will need to learn from the mistakes of the Hourcade era. Confirmation should not be long before learning if Hourcade’s four feature will feature in the Rugby Championship.