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Simón Benítez Cruz has completed a career-defining move from Argentina to continue his career in England. The Newcastle Red Bulls (formerly Newcastle Falcons) have signed the scrum-half from Super Rugby Americas (SRA) side Los Tarucas on a two-year deal. Newcastle will be Benítez Cruz’ first foreign professional club. He will join the club after the Rugby Championship.
 PLAYER BACKGROUND |
Benítez Cruz plays at scrum-half. His game is noted for his running ability with ball in hand. He is also an accurate passer and box-kicker as well as a reliable defender.
He had a breakout season for Los Tarucas in Super Rugby Americas 2025. Benítez Cruz established himself as one of the leading scrum-halves in the league and was named MVP. It came with Los Pumas in search for more scrum-halves following the decision of Lautaro Bazán Vélez to focus on Rugby 7’s.
Benítez Cruz actually went from Los Pumas 7’s to SRA. He played for Los Pampas in 2024 with ARN including him in the SRA All-Stars. In 2025 he moved to newcomers, Los Tarucas. The scrum-half is a product of CUBA in Buenos Aires.
 LOS PUMAS DEBUT |
Benítez Cruz was one of eight uncapped SRA players selected by Felipe Contepomi to prepare to face the British & Irish Lions. He was joined by Luciano Asevedo, Leonel Oviedo, Boris Wenger, Agustín Moyano, Nicolás Roger, Faustino Sánchez Valarolo and Santiago Pernas from SRA.
Joaquín Moro was also included. He had made his test debut against Uruguay in July, 2024. Moro (Pampas) was a replacement against the British & Irish Lions as were Boris Wenger (Dogos), and Simón Benítez Cruz (Tarucas). Wenger and Benítez Cruz debuted for Los Pumas in the match though test caps were not awarded.
Argentina fielded debutants against the British & Irish Lions. Bautista Bernasconi, Benjamín Grondona, and Benjamín Elizalde were also all on the roster as United Rugby Championship (URC) and English Premiership club players. Of them, Bernasconi received game time in the win in Dublin, Ireland.
He first test cap was awarded in Argentina’s next appearance. Los Pumas took on England at home in La Plata. While Simón Benítez Cruz had been Argentina’s replacement scrum-half for Gonzalo García against the British & Irish Lions in Dublin, he was now the replacement for Gonzalo Bertranou against England.
Benítez Cruz earned his official first cap in La Plata. He was one of four debutants in the match. The others were Bautista Bernasconi, Benjamín Elizalde and Nicolás Roger. In making his test debut, Benítez Cruz became Puma no 898. He went on to start game two against England and also the match against Uruguay. His first cap came at the age of 25.
| NEWCASTLE PUMAS |
Benítez Cruz will join Eduardo Bello at the Newcastle Red Bulls. Bello joined the Northern England club from rivals Saracens in 2003. Bello is presently the only Argentine on the Newcastle playing roster. Pedro Rubiolo made a mid-season transfer from Newcastle to the Bristol Bears this past season. Pumas centers Matías Moroni and Matías Orlando are both former Newcastle players as is winger Mateo Carreras.
