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Three big names have re-signed with Los Jaguares. Gonzalo Bertranou, Julián Montoya, and Matías Moroni, have all extended their contracts with Argentina’s Super Rugby franchise.
First choice scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou has signed a deal that will see him under contract until the end of 2020. With Martín Landajo’s departure for English club the Harlequins confirmed retaining Bertranou was a major priority. Both he and Tomás Cubelli are now under contracts to remain at home for the start of the next RWC cycle.
Julián Montoya’s new deal will also see him remaining at Jaguares until the end of 2020. The hooker has been receiving increased game time in 2019, including starting in the recent wins over the Bulls, and Sharks in South Africa. Both Montoya and Agustín Creevy have now re-signed with Jaguares until the end of 2021.
Outside center Matías Moroni is also staying at Jaguares. He re-signed to remain at the national Super Rugby franchise until the end of 2020. His new contract therefore matches that of the team’s other natural outside center, Matías Orlando.
The re-signing of the three above mentioned big names means that scrum-half, hooker, and outside center are all covered. The same logic does not apply to all positions though. On his way to England after RWC 2019 is Tomás Lavanini. His departure will see Los Jaguares losing a first choice player, and one in a position lacking depth.
Ahead of the upcoming away matches against the Highlanders, Hurricanes, Waratahs, and Reds Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada noted there is a shortage of second-rowers. He has taken with him Lucas Paulos on the tour. Should he receive game time it would constitute his Super Rugby debut.
Not touring is Matías Alemanno who re-signed with Jaguares on a two-year-deal back in January. With him unfit to play Quesada has been starting Lavanini, and Guido Petti together throughout and utilizing two specialist flankers on the bench. Cover for the second-row has come in the form of Marcos Kremer moving as required.
Without Lavanini there will need to be new signings. In addition to Paulos there is Franco Molina, one of the best players in this year’s Americas Rugby Championship. Otherwise the specialist second-rowers under contract are Alemanno, and Petti with the latter having re-signed until the end of 2021.
Yet to be confirmed is the post RWC status of two more Jaguares – Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, and Ramiro Moyano. Both are off contract this year with the latter having been targeted by English Premiership side the Bristol Bears.
