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Former Puma Santiago Fernández won the prestigious award of URBA Player of the Year for 2018. The 33-year-old returned to Hindú in 2017 after eight years in France.
Fernández played for Montpellier (2010-2013), Bayonne (2013-2015), and Pau (2015-2017) with the highlight being his appearance in the 2011 Top 14 Final, a losing effort for Montpellier against Toulouse.
Fernández was one of three Argentine players starting for Montpellier in that final. Joining him were Martín Bustos Moyano and the then 23-year-old Juan Figallo. Fernández started at inside center, Bustos Moyano on the wing and Figallo at loose head prop.
Both Fernández and Figallo would go on to be starters at RWC 2011 but both primarily in other positions. Fernández would be the fly half against Romania, Scotland, Georgia and New Zealand with Figallo playing tight head.
During his international career Fernández would earn 32 test caps. His final two caps were the first two of the Daniel Hourcade tenure. El Huevo would favor Argentine-based players with Fernández being one of many to be left out of his plans post November 2013.
At fly half Fernández’ most important match for Argentina came in Wellington, New Zealand. Los Pumas won a nail-bitter against Scotland with Lucas González Amorosino scoring a miracle try. González Amorosino would join Montpellier after the World Cup.
Both Fernández and González Amorosino are back playing in the URBA Top 12. The former won the award based on his solid season with Hindú. So important was he that Hindú lost four out of five Top 12 matches when Fernández was not playing for the club.
