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Benetton have signed Tomás Albornoz from Los Jaguares XV. The 23-year-old will depart Argentina for Italy for the upcoming Pro 14 season. In what is his first experience abroad, Albornoz joins Benetton after having played for Los Jaguares in Super Rugby and Los Jaguares XV in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR).
Albornoz was Los Jaguares’ third choice fly half in the 2020 Super Rugby season. He received game time as a replacement. The end of Argentina in the competition saw Domingo Miotti departing to Australia and Joaquín Díaz Bonilla to England. Their departers meant Albornoz was the first choice fly half in the country. Miotti will join the Glasgow Warriors next season. His move to Scotland will see him and Albornoz playing Pro 14 for different teams.
Los Jaguares XV used both Albornoz and Martín Elías at fly half in the 2021 SLAR campaign. Albornoz was the starting fly half in the Semi Final win over the Olímpia Lions and the SLAR Final win against Peñarol. The form of both Albornoz and Elías was noted and rewarded by Mario Ledesma. The former Pumas hooker included both players on his 2021 Pumas roster.
Albornoz will have two Pumas teammates at Benetton. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro is joining the team from the Bristol Bears while Thomas Gallo has played for the team since last season. The club is also home to Tomás Baravalle, Ivan Nemer, Joaquín Riera and Juan Ignacio Brex. Brex was capped by Italy earlier this year.
