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Lucas Piero has played his last game for Brazil. The venerable forward was one of several notable absentees from the Tupis squad named for the upcoming South American Championship. It has come to light that ‘Bruxinho’ has in fact now retired from international rugby.
While Lucas ‘Tanque’ Duque was given a hero’s send-off against the Barbarians in November, Piero quietly stepped away from his beloved Tupis after winning 43 caps since his debut against Chile back in 2012. It’s not clear why he made the decision to retire from test rugby at the age of just 28, but perhaps the Desterro stalwart had simply seen the writing on the wall.
At just 6’2″ (1.89m) Piero was short by today’s standards for a lock. In another country he might well have been turned into a prop, but height is not a common attribute amongst the elite players of Brazil and what ‘Bruxinho’ lacked in size he made up for in strength and durability.
Piero was included in November’s training squad but did not play against either Portugal or the Barbarians. Luiz ‘Monstro’ Vieira and Italy-based Matteo Dell’Acqua are now considered the first choice locks with Gabriel Paganini commonly found on the bench. All are taller than Piero.
Coming through the ranks are three highly promising youngsters. Uncapped Pasteur duo Kauã Guimarães and Filippo Bugno, 22 and 21 respectively, both reach the international standard of 6’6″ (1.98m) while Gabriel ‘Fúria’ Oliviera, who doesn’t reach 19 years of age until the end of this month, was 6’4″ (1.93m) at last check and still growing.
Guimarães and Oliviera have been named for next week’s Championship along with Paganini. Bugno will be there sooner than later. The selection of the youngsters, though inevitable, was perhaps expedited by a number of missing men.
Vieira has taken a sabbatical from test rugby while Dell’Acqua was unavailable to travel. Outstanding blindside flanker Cléber ‘Gelado’ Dias could have filled in but is battling concussion, while Matheus Wolf, now returned from a stint in Portugal, appears to be out of favour.
Another giant who could well be finished is tighthead prop Jardel Vettorato. The strong-man of the famed Brazilian scrum is nearing his 35th birthday and with the likes of Joel Ramírez, Matheus ‘Blade’ Rocha, and Henrique ‘Caminhoneiro’ Ferreira pushing through to join professionals Wilton ‘Nelson’ Rebolo and Caíque ‘Santi’ Silva, Vettorato can rest knowing he has ushered in a new generation of Brazilian bulls.
The back row is also inexperienced with first choice flankers Dias and Arthur Bergo both out injured. South African export Devon Müller is now qualified on residency and should finally make his test debut having already played in three non-cap internationals, while Matheus Claudio will continue to build on his progress having just two caps on his resume.
Adrio de Melo, who captained Os Curumins at the World Rugby u20 Trophy last year at the age of just 18, is hoped to be a long-term successor for André ‘Buda’ Arruda at No8. Another option might have been Felipe Rosa, but the 23-year-old is currently plying his trade alongside established Tupis flanker Michael ‘Ilha’ Moraes for Benfica in Portugal.
