For the rugby league team of Argentina see Argentina national rugby league team. History See also History of rugby league The grass roots of rugby league can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games The Argentina national rugby league team represents Argentina in the sport of Rugby league and are an affiliated member of the International Rugby League Federation

Argentina
Union	Unión Argentina de Rugby
Nickname(s)	Los Pumas
Emblem(s)	Yaguareté (the South American jaguar)
Coach	Santiago Phelan and Fabián Turnes[1]
Captain	Agustín Pichot
Most caps	Lisandro Arbizu (86)
Top scorer	Hugo Porta (656)
Most tries	José María Núñez Piossek (29)
Team colours		Change colours
First international
Argentina  3 - 28  British Isles (12 June 1910)
Largest win
Paraguay  0 - 152  Argentina (1 May 2002)
Worst defeat
New Zealand  93 - 8  Argentina (21 June 1997)
World Cup
Appearances	6 (First in 1987)
Best result	Bronze, 2007

The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The Argentine Rugby Union (Unión Argentina de Rugby ( UAR) is the governing body for Rugby union in Argentina. The jaguar (Panthera onca,, or—especially in British English — is a New World Mammal of the Felidae family and one of Santiago Phelan (born March 31 1974 in San Isidro Buenos Aires) is a retired Argentine Rugby union footballer Agustín Pichot (born 22 August, 1974 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player the former captain of the Argentine A cap is an appearance for a select team such as a school county or international team in sports Lisandro Arbizu (born September 29, 1971 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Hugo Porta (born 11 September 1951 in Buenos Aires) is a former Argentine Rugby Union footballer an International Rugby Hall of Fame inductee and arguably José María Núñez Piossek (born 6 December, 1976 in Tucumán) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer currently playing for French The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or "British Lions" Rugby union side comprises a pick of the best players from Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Paraguay is a third tier rugby playing nation and has yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition The First Rugby World Cup was hosted by New Zealand and Australia in 1987 and was won by New Zealand. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short . The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR, from the Spanish: Unión Argentina de Rugby). The Argentine Rugby Union (Unión Argentina de Rugby ( UAR) is the governing body for Rugby union in Argentina.

Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British Isles team. The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or "British Lions" Rugby union side comprises a pick of the best players from It is today considered one of the top rugby nations in the world and the best in the Americas, and has competed at every Rugby World Cup staged since the first in 1987. The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the Continents of North America and South America The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition The First Rugby World Cup was hosted by New Zealand and Australia in 1987 and was won by New Zealand.

Although rugby union is nowhere near as popular as football in Argentina, the impressive results by Los Pumas since the 1999 World Cup, have nonetheless seen the sport's popularity grow exponentially. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup and the first to be held in Rugby union 's professional era. Argentina has managed from its appearance in the international arena to accomplish several upset victories, and have been a tough contender when playing in Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is geographically located on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern An upset victory over the hosts France in the first game of the 2007 World Cup, took Argentina to fourth in the IRB World Rankings. The France national rugby union team represents France in Rugby union. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. Uses of the rankings The rankings are used by the IRB to rank the progression and current ability of the national rugby union teams of its member nations but the data The team were undefeated in their pool, and reached the semi-finals for the first time, beating Scotland 19-13 in the quarter-final. The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union. Despite being beaten 37-13 by South Africa in the semi-finals, they defeated France for a second time in the tournament to claim the third place. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko As of 17 March 2008 the team is at an all-time high of third in the IRB World Rankings. Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common

However, Argentina is currently the only International Rugby Board (IRB) tier one classed nation that has no regular competition, such as the Six Nations and the Tri Nations. The International Rugby Board (IRB is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of Rugby union, and previously for Rugby football. The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international The Tri Nations is an annual international Rugby union series held between the national teams of Australia (the Wallabies) New Zealand (the Obstacles to this include international restrictions and the fact that domestic rugby in the country remains amateur. ^[2] However, an IRB conference held the month after the 2007 World Cup saw a breakthrough. The UAR agreed to launch a professional structure, with considerable support from the IRB, with eventual admission to the Tri Nations possible around 2012, although that timetable has been viewed by some as unrealistic.

After Marcelo Loffreda left following the 2007 Rugby World Cup to take up the head coaching job at English club Leicester Tigers, the UAR spent nearly five months searching for a successor until opting for a two-coach setup, with former Pumas Santiago Phelan and Fabián Turnes taking over. Marcelo Loffreda (born May 17, 1959 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is a rugby player and coach until recently head coach for the English The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. The English Premiership (known as the Guinness Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Guinness) is a professional league competition for Rugby Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English Rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. Santiago Phelan (born March 31 1974 in San Isidro Buenos Aires) is a retired Argentine Rugby union footballer ^[1] The Pumas' current captain is Agustín Pichot. Agustín Pichot (born 22 August, 1974 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player the former captain of the Argentine

Contents 1 History 1.1 Early years 1.2 Post war 1.3 Sixties, seventies and eighties 1.4 Late 20th century 1.5 The new millennium 1.6 2007 World Cup 1.7 After the 2007 World Cup 2 Colours and name 3 Home grounds 4 Record 4.1 Overall 4.2 World Cup 5 Players 5.1 Current squad 5.2 Notable players 6 Coaches 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

History

Early years

The first rugby union match in Argentina was played in 1873, the game having been brought to Argentina by the British immigrants. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located In 1899, four clubs in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, got together to form the River Plate Rugby Football Union. Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is geographically located on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern In 1910 a side managed by Oxford University — supposedly the England national team but included three Scottish players — toured Argentina: the people of Argentina termed it the "Combined British", also known as a "Great Britain XV". The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the The England national rugby union team represents England in Rugby union. Argentina made their international debut against this team, losing 28-3 on 12th July in Buenos Aires.

In 1927 the British Isles toured Argentina, with the Lions winning all nine encounters; the tour did however become a financial success for Argentinian rugby. The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or "British Lions" Rugby union side comprises a pick of the best players from Of the nine encounters, four tests were played, which Argentina lost by over 30 points in all. All the games took place in Buenos Aires. Five years passed until another international team would return to Argentina, which would be the Junior Springboks in 1932, playing a two match series. Argentina lost both.

In 1936 the British Isles visited Argentina again, winning all ten of their matches and only conceding nine points in the whole tour. Only one test was played on the tour, with Argentina losing 23-0. The following month Argentina left the country to play their first away tests - against Chile in Valparaiso. The Chile national rugby union team (nicknamed Los Cóndores, "The Condors " is a third tier Rugby union nation representing Chile. Valparaíso (literally in Spanish: Valle Paraíso (Paradise Valley and also called "Valpo" locally is a major city in Chile Argentina won the first test (and their first game), 29-0. The second match was won by a similar margin as well. Two years later Argentina hosted Chile, which resulted in Argentina winning by 30 points.

Post war

In the late 1940s Argentina hosted a combined Oxford & Cambridge side, which defeated them in both games of a two match series. In 1949 Argentina hosted their biggest nation yet - France, and although they lost both tests, the scorelines were very close on both occasions. The France national rugby union team represents France in Rugby union. To mark the 1951 Pan-American Games, Argentina organised the first South American tournament in Buenos Aires with Chile, Uruguay and Brazil taking part. Uruguay has played in the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups They have been playing international rugby since the late 1940s The Brazil national rugby union team are the national side of Brazil, representing them at Rugby union. Argentina dominated the inaugural tournament with Chile putting up the only challenge before losing 13-3 to the Pumas, whose thrashing of Uruguay 62-0 and the Brazilian team 72-0 highlighted their dominance in South America.

In 1952, Argentina played an Ireland XV in a non-cap international held in Buenos Aires. Argentina lost the first Test by six points but raised the bar in the second meeting in Buenos Aires to draw 3-3. It wasn't a win, but it was the first time Argentina had avoided defeat against a major European team and it was celebrated as a victory. As a result of the Irish tour, the UAR could not afford to host a visit from the Oxford & Cambridge team the following year. In 1954, they played host to France. The result was much the same as in 1949 with France proving far superior, winning 22-8 in the first Test before a 30-3 thrashing in the second, both of which were played in Buenos Aires.

In 1956, Argentina hosted Oxford & Cambridge again, but lost both of the fixtures 25-6 and 11-3. This was followed by a 4 to nil win over Peru, and a 50-3 win over Uruguay, though Argentina then lost to Chile for the first time. The Peru national rugby team, nicknamed los Tumis, is a young team in The Americas and a member of the Confederación Sudamericana de Rugby At the second South American tournament, in 1958, Argentina accounted for Uruguay 50-3 and Peru 44-0. And despite some drinking before their game against the hosts Chile in Santiago, Argentina's players still emerged victorious 14-0. In 1959 the Junior Springboks returned to Buenos Aires, winning both fixtures 14-6, and 20-6.

Sixties, seventies and eighties

In 1960, France visited Buenos Aires for a three match series with Argentina. The hosts still could not get their first win over the French, with France winning all three tests 37-3, 12-3 and 29-6. The following year Argentina again showed their dominance on a continental level, winning the South American tournament held in Montevideo, by beating Brazil 60-0, Uruguay 36-3 and Chile 11-3. In 1964 a new version of the South American tournament was played in San Pablo and Argentina again demonstrated their dominance with victories over Uruguay 25-6, Brazil 30-5 and Chile 30-8.

Back in the late 1960s the four home unions began tours to Argentina, and after Wales struggled in both Tests in Buenos Aires in 1967 it soon became clear that Argentina would be a difficult place to win a series. The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international Scotland became their next victims when the Pumas won the first test in 1968. The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union. The Scots won the second test two weeks later, but it was close.

The first trip of the Argentinean national rugby team to the other side of the Atlantic was to Rhodesia and South Africa in 1965. The team acquired the nickname "Pumas", from a local journalist after their first tour match, a defeat to Salisbury. The book "Be Pumas" recalls the Wackley Farmer of Rhodesia magazine commenting on the emblem embroidered on the tourists' jerseys was like a puma - rather than a jaguar. After defeats to Salisbury and Northern Transvaal, the first win came against Western Transvaal, another against South West Africa Country Districts and finally against the Southern Universities. The Pumas' landmark win against the Junior Springboks, by 11-6. They were welcomed home to Buenos Aires by a huge crowd; the tour had harvested 11 victories, one draw and four defeats over two months.

A match was then organised against the French champions Section Paloise, although the match was remembered for the uproar and misconduct of both teams rather than the Argentinean victory. Section Paloise is a French Rugby union club from Pau in Pyrénées-Atlantiques currently competing in Rugby Pro D2, the second Then Oxford & Cambridge arrived, a team that the Pumas had never beaten. The first match finished level at 19-19 and the second saw the University students triumph 9-3. 1965 ended with a match against Chile, which the Pumas won 23-11.

In 1966, the Gazelles arrived, a kind of a Junior Springboks B team. The visitors took two victories 9-3 and 20-15. In September 1967, Argentina played in Buenos Aires in the South American Championship with victories over Uruguay 38-6 and Chile 18-0. Wales arrived in Buenos Aires in 1968 and for the first time in their history the Pumas were able to triumph in a series, winning the first match 9-5 and drawing the second 9-9. The first great decade in Argentinean rugby came to a close with the arrival of Scotland in 1969. The first match saw a big Argentinean victory 20-3, but in the second game the visitors narrowly won 6-3.

Through the 1970s, Argentina confirmed its steady rise towards top-tier status under the impulse of its first truly world-class player, fly-half Hugo Porta. Hugo Porta (born 11 September 1951 in Buenos Aires) is a former Argentine Rugby Union footballer an International Rugby Hall of Fame inductee and arguably During their European tour in 1976, the Pumas came tantalizingly close to a grandiose victory at Arms Park over Wales, then the dominant force in the Northern Hemisphere. Cardiff Arms Park ( Welsh: Parc yr Arfau Caerdydd) also known as The Arms Park, is a Rugby union Stadium situated in the centre The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international Only a Phil Bennett penalty on a foul by Gabrielo Travaglini at the death allowed the Welsh to escape with a 20-19 victory. Phillip Bennett (born 24 October 1948 was a Welsh international Rugby union fly half from 1969 to 1978

The early 1980s also saw the formation of the South American Jaguars, a team dominated by Argentinian players, which played eight matches against the Springboks including one win at Bloemfontein in 1982. The South American Jaguars was an international Rugby union team consisting of South American players that played during the early 1980s against the South African Bloemfontein (ˈbluːmfɒnteɪn Afrikaans and Dutch for "spring of Bloem (bloom"

Late 20th century

From the late seventies to the early nineties, Argentina never lost the two matches of a series held in Buenos Aires, in a period that included victories against France, England, Australia and a 21-21 tie to the All Blacks, which is probably the most important result ever obtained by the Pumas, thanks to a terrific performance by Hugo Porta who scored all of Argentina's points. The France national rugby union team represents France in Rugby union. The England national rugby union team represents England in Rugby union. The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in Rugby union. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. Hugo Porta (born 11 September 1951 in Buenos Aires) is a former Argentine Rugby Union footballer an International Rugby Hall of Fame inductee and arguably

By the time the first Rugby World Cup was held in Australia and New Zealand, in 1987, Argentines were confident its national team would at least make it to quarter-finals. The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition However, an unexpected loss to Fiji prevented the team from clinching the first round. The Fiji National rugby union team is one of the strongest national rugby union teams of the world and the third from Oceania, even still as a second tier nation Argentina won their first ever World Cup game when they defeated Italy in Christchurch.

On the following years, the retirement of many of Argentina's most experienced players, and the defection of many others to professional leagues (it should be mentioned that rugby union is still an amateur sport in Argentina and UAR's regulations of the time prevented any player who played professionally from playing for the national team) left Argentina with an inexperienced side. The Argentine Rugby Union (Unión Argentina de Rugby ( UAR) is the governing body for Rugby union in Argentina.

This led to disappointing performances in the 1991 and 1995 World Cups, albeit in the latter Argentina presented a powerful forward pack which was praised by the international media. The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition Argentina's tighthead props, Patricio Noriega and Christian Martin, and hooker, Federico Méndez, went to play in England, Australia and South Africa respectively after their performance. Patricio Noriega (born 22 October, 1971, Argentina is a former Argentine Rugby Union footballer who played. Christian Martin (born 1967 a VP and for Lifetime Television is married to Elizabeth Catherine Cole Executive Editor of Dateline NBC. Federico Mendez ( 2 August 1972, Mendoza) also known as Freddie Mendez is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Noriega even ended up playing for the Wallabies. The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in Rugby union.

In 1999, a more experienced and somewhat under-rated Argentina made it to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. They had finished second in their group to Wales, and went onto the quarter-final play-offs. After a vibrant 28-24 win against Ireland, they were eliminated by France, 28-47, in the quarter-final. The Ireland rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in Rugby union, which is a popular sport throughout both the Republic of Ireland and Gonzalo Quesada was the highest overall points scorer in the tournament with 102. Gonzalo Quesada was born May 2, 1974 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The new millennium

In April 2000, Marcelo Loffreda was appointed coach of Argentina. Marcelo Loffreda (born May 17, 1959 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is a rugby player and coach until recently head coach for the English Argentina missed out on progressing to the 2003 World Cup quarter-finals due to a 15-16 loss to Ireland in a nail-biting game. The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby union world cup and was won by England. It was noted that because of the fixture list, Argentina had to play four games in a fortnight, whereas Ireland played the same number of games in four weeks. Note Please link only to revelant articles per "WPOVERLINK" It was suggested that Ireland, as a major nation, would not accept a similar fixture list, and that this may have played a role in the outcome of the game.

Since then they have shown good form, splitting a two-test home series with Wales in June 2004; handing defending Six Nations champion France a 24-14 loss in November 2004 at Marseille, where France had never lost before; and, later in the same tour, losing 21-19 to Ireland on a last-minute drop goal. The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Marseille, ( English alt Marseilles mɑrˈseɪ — French: maʁsɛj locally — Provençal Occitan: Marselha maʀˈsijɔ After returning to Argentina, the Pumas lost 39-7 to the visiting Springboks of South Africa; however, the Pumas were without 10 regular starters who had returned to their club teams in Europe. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa

Perhaps the one of the Pumas' best matches in recent years came on 23 May 2005 in Cardiff, when they played the British and Irish Lions in the Lions' send-off match for their tour to New Zealand. Events 1430 - Siege of Compiègne: Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Cardiff ( 'kɑːdɪf) is the Capital and the largest city and county in Wales. The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or "British Lions" Rugby union side comprises a pick of the best players from In 2005 the British and Irish Lions Rugby union team toured New Zealand for the first time since 1993 suffering a 3–0 whitewash at the hands of The Pumas were forced to choose a side of second- and even third-choice players (prop Mauricio Reggiardo, later voted man of the match, came out of retirement for the game) as 25 players from their selection pool were unavailable due to club commitments. However, a Pumas performance widely hailed as inspired, combined with lacklustre play by a mostly second-choice Lions side, put Argentina on the verge of one of the greatest upsets in recent rugby history. It took a Jonny Wilkinson penalty at the death—and arguably the decision by Australian referee Stuart Dickinson to allow eight minutes of added time at the end of the match—for the Lions to salvage a 25-25 draw and avoid a humiliating defeat. Jonathan Peter Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is an English Rugby union player and member of the England national team For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Stuart Dickinson (born 19 July, 1968) is a rugby Referee. He made his international refereeing debut in 1997 in a Rugby World Cup

When the Springboks returned to Argentina in November of that year, they faced a much stronger Pumas side, with most of their European-based players present. The Pumas took a 20-16 lead into the half-time break at Vélez Sársfield. The Estadio José Amalfitani is a stadium in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is home of Vélez Sársfield from the Argentine First Division While they faded in the second half, they were not embarrassed, losing 34-23. The following week, the Pumas travelled to Murrayfield to take on Scotland and won a closely-fought match 23-19. Murrayfield is a sports Stadium in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and is the home of Scottish Rugby Union The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union. This marked the fifth consecutive time since 1990 that Los Pumas had defeated Scotland. They claimed another Six Nations scalp a week later, defeating Italy 39-22 in Genoa. The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international For the rugby sevens side see Italian national rugby union team (sevens The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English

In the 2006 mid-year Tests, Argentina welcomed a Wales side for a two-Test tour. During June of 2006, several Rugby union test sides played fixtures that were mainly contested in southern nations Los Pumas swept the series, marking their first Test series win over Wales. The first test, on June 11, was a closely-fought affair, won 27-25. Events 1184 BC - Trojan War: Troy is sacked and burned according to the calculations of Eratosthenes. It was historically significant as the first Argentina Test ever to be held in Patagonia. Llao LLaojpg|thumb|250px| Lake Nahuel Huapi, near Bariloche, Argentina The visitors were welcomed very warmly, as the match was held in Puerto Madryn, one of the major towns in an area that was settled by Welsh in the 1860s and where Welsh is still frequently spoken. Puerto Madryn (in Welsh, Porth Madryn) is a city in the province of Chubut in the Argentine Patagonia. The Welsh settlement in Argentina began in 1865 and occurred mainly along the coast of Chubut province in the far southern region of Patagonia Welsh ( cy Cymraeg or cy y Gymraeg, kəmˈrɑːɨɡ and {{IPA|[ə ɡəmˈrɑːɨɡ]}}, is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic The second Test at Vélez Sársfield on June 17 saw the Pumas take a 45-13 lead before two late Welsh tries cut the final margin to 45-27. Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat This did, however, mark Argentina's largest win ever over Wales. Los Pumas next entertained the world's top team, the All Blacks, at Vélez Sársfield the following week. The All Blacks won 25-19, but not until surviving an all-out Pumas assault on their try line in the final minutes.

On 9th July, Argentina defeated Uruguay 26-0 in a Round 3a match during the Americas qualifying for the 2007 World Cup. In qualification for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, 19 countries in the Pan American Rugby Association (PARA compete for 3 direct entries and 1 repechage place (Repechage 1 against The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. Being their second win during that stage, Argentina moved directly into the 2007 World Cup, taking the Americas 1 position. They joined Pool D, along with hosts France and Ireland.

The 2006 end-of-year Tests began with a bang for Los Pumas, as they went into Twickenham and handed England a 25-18 defeat. Twickenham Stadium (usually known as just Twickenham or Twickers) is a Stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond The England national rugby union team represents England in Rugby union. The error-riddled England side were booed off the Twickenham pitch after they crashed to their seventh consecutive Test defeat, equalling their worst ever run. ^[3] Further success followed for the Pumas, going on to defeat Italy in Rome and then coming within one point of achieving a similar result against France in Paris. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2

Los Pumas had been invited by the Belgian Rugby Federation to play their local games there in case of being accepted in an annual competition. The Belgian Rugby Federation (FBRB - Fédération Belge de Rugby in French and Belgische Rugby Bond in Dutch) is the governing body for ^[4] Soon after they also received invitations from Spain, Switzerland, France and Portugal. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. ^[5]

In the meantime, The Sunday Times of London reported in February 2007 that the IRB was brokering a deal with SANZAR, the body that organises the Tri Nations, to admit Los Pumas to the competition as early as 2008. The Sunday Times is a Sunday Broadsheet Newspaper distributed in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. SANZAR is an abbreviation of the South African Rugby Union, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union. The story noted that logistical issues, specifically the distance between Argentina and Europe plus fixture congestion in Northern Hemisphere rugby, caused the Six Nations to baulk at admitting Argentina. The IRB was apparently convinced that the Tri Nations was the proper place for a Southern Hemisphere team, and has reportedly found South Africa strongly supporting the move and Australia not opposed. However, The Sunday Times indicated that the biggest stumbling block may well be the UAR itself, "some of whose members are deeply attached to amateurism. "^[2] Eventually, by August of that year, it became clear that the competition would not be expanded until the key SANZAR media contract with News Corporation expires in 2010. News Corporation (often abbreviated to News Corp) (,,) is one of the world's largest media conglomerate companies by Market capitalisation An IRB spokesman, in revealing this news, not only noted the contract, but also Southern Hemisphere fixture congestion and the lack of a professional structure in Argentina as reasons that Los Pumas could not be admitted any sooner. ^[6]

2007 World Cup

Los Pumas began their final preparation for the 2007 World Cup with a two-test series against visiting Ireland, who was grouped against them in France. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. In the first test on 26th May at Santa Fe, they scored a 22–20 win on a last-minute drop goal by Felipe Contepomi. Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez "El cementerio de los elefantes" is a multi-use Stadium in Santa Fe Argentina. Dr Felipe Contepomi (born August 20 1977 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Both teams were heavily experimental, especially the Irish, with stars such as Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Paul O'Connell and Gordon D'Arcy missing from the touring squad. Brian Gerald O'Driscoll ( Irish name: Brian Gearóid Ó hEidirsceoil) born 21 January 1979 is an Irish professional Rugby union player Ronan John Ross O'Gara (born 7 March 1977 in San Diego, California) is an Irish Rugby union footballer occupying the position for both Paul O'Connell (born 20 October 1979 in Limerick) is an Irish Rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland Gordon William D'Arcy (born 10 February 1980 in Wexford) is an Irish rugby player more specifically an inside centre. The Pumas were themselves missing many stars who were playing that weekend in the final round of the 2006-07 Top 14 season in France. The 2006-07 Top 14 Competition was a French domestic Rugby union club competition that ran from August 2006 through to June 2007 ^[7][8] The second test against Ireland was a 16-0 Pumas win at Vélez Sársfield on June 2. Events 455 - The Vandals enter Rome, and plunder the city for two weeks ^[9] On June 9, Los Pumas completed a clean sweep of their mid-year tests with a 24–6 win over Italy in Mendoza. Events 53 - Roman Emperor Nero marries Claudia Octavia 62 - Claudia Octavia commits The 2007 mid-year rugby Test series (also known as the Summer tours in the Northern Hemisphere) refers to the Rugby union Test matches played For the rugby sevens side see Italian national rugby union team (sevens The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of The Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, is a stadium in the city of Mendoza Argentina at General San Martín Park. They split their final warmup tests, defeating neighbours Chile 70-14 at CASI in Buenos Aires on August 4 and losing to Wales at Millennium Stadium 27–20 on August 18. Throughout August 2007 various teams prepared for the Rugby World Cup in France with a short series of test matches primarily in the Northern Hemisphere and involving The Chile national rugby union team (nicknamed Los Cóndores, "The Condors " is a third tier Rugby union nation representing Chile. The Club Atlético San Isidro ( CASI) is a Rugby union Club in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, member of the Unión Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. The Millennium Stadium (Stadiwm y Mileniwm is the National stadium of Wales, located in the capital Cardiff. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica.

At the World Cup, Los Pumas were drawn into the so-called pool of death, featuring two other teams ranked in the top six in the IRB rankings—Ireland and the hosts France. Group of death is an informal Sobriquet used in football and other team sports to describe a situation that often occurs during the group stage of a On top of this, they opened the World Cup at Stade de France against the French, marking the third consecutive World Cup in which they played against the host nation in the World Cup opener. The Stade de France is a Stadium in Saint-Denis, France in the inner suburbs of Paris. In possibly one of their finest hours,^[10] the Pumas took a 17-9 lead into the half, and held on for a surprising 17-12 win. The Pumas subsequently beat Georgia 33-3 on September 11 at the Stade de Gerland, Lyon. The Georgia national rugby union team represents the former Soviet Caucasian republic of Georgia in Rugby union. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul The Stade de Gerland (or Stade Gerland) is the principal sporting hub of the city of Lyon. ||-||} Lyon, also known as Lyons in English is a city in east-central France. Argentina then went on to beat Namibia 63-3 in Marseille, the biggest winning margin in Argentine World Cup History. The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at Rugby union. Marseille, ( English alt Marseilles mɑrˈseɪ — French: maʁsɛj locally — Provençal Occitan: Marselha maʀˈsijɔ They then went on to secure a 30-15 victory against Ireland which ensured that they topped the group. They then defeated Scotland 19-13 in the quarter-final at the Stade de France. The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union. The Pumas' improbable run at the Webb Ellis trophy ended in a comprehensive 37-13 defeat by the Springboks in the semi-final at Stade de France. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko However, the Pumas recovered to beat France for the second time in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, thanks to a 34-10 win in the 3rd/4th place playoff. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. The 3rd place showing for the Pumas in the 2007 World Cup is Argentina's best ever result in Rugby World Cup history, equal or better than the best showing by IRB founding nations Wales (who were 3rd in the 1987 Rugby World Cup), Scotland (who were 4th in the 1991 Rugby World Cup) and Ireland (which has never qualified for the Rugby World Cup semi-finals). The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international The First Rugby World Cup was hosted by New Zealand and Australia in 1987 and was won by New Zealand. The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union. The 1991 Rugby World Cup was jointly hosted by England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France. The Ireland rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in Rugby union, which is a popular sport throughout both the Republic of Ireland and The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition

During their World Cup run, the normally football-crazed Argentines embraced the Pumas so much that El Superclásico, the Buenos Aires football derby between Boca Juniors and River Plate that is normally the biggest event in Argentine sport, was rescheduled so that it would not conflict with the Pumas' quarter-final match. Superclásico is a title most commonly used to describe the football game between Buenos Aires rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors. In many countries the term local derby, or simply just derby (pronounced 'dur-bee' in American English and 'dar-bee' in British English after the city of Derby Club Atlético Boca Juniors known also as Boca Juniors or simply Boca, is one of the most popular Argentine Sports clubs, best known for Club Atlético River Plate, known also as River Plate or simply River, is an Argentine Sports club best known for its football ^[11] As the only major Spanish language country in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the Pumas also had considerable support from rugby fans in Spain, Uruguay, and other Latin American countries during their impressive five game winning streak.

After the 2007 World Cup

In November 2007, in the wake of Argentina's World Cup run, the future status of Los Pumas was a key topic of discussion at an IRB conference on the future worldwide growth of the sport. The decisions made at the conference regarding Argentina were:^[12]

• Starting in 2008, the Pumas will play more annual Tests, increasing from the previous six Tests per year to nine by 2010.
• By 2010, the team will play four Tests in the June Test window, three in November, and two during the Six Nations window in February and March.
• Between 2008 and 2010, Argentina will develop a professional structure within the country, with the goal of having the majority of Argentine professionals playing at home. Sometime around 2012, Los Pumas will then be "fully integrated into the Southern top-flight Rugby playing structure" (read "Tri Nations").

However, New Zealand Rugby Football Union deputy chief executive Steve Tew subsequently expressed doubts that a professional domestic competition in Argentina would be sufficiently viable within the following 10 years to retain elite players in South America, despite all the good intentions and funding of the IRB. The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU (formerly the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU is the governing body of Rugby union in New Zealand. ^[13]

On June 7th, 2008, the Pumas beat Scotland in Rosario, Argentina 21-15, thus maintaining their position as the 3rd highest ranked team in the IRB rankings. The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics.

Colours and name

Los Pumas play in a hooped shirt in the country's flag (and sporting) colours of sky blue and white with sky blue sleeves, white shorts, and hooped socks in sky blue and white. The emblem on the shirts features a yaguareté (Argentine jaguar), notwithstanding the team's nickname. The jaguar (Panthera onca,, or—especially in British English — is a New World Mammal of the Felidae family and one of The Pumas nickname is generally believed to be the result of an error made by a journalist who followed the team during their first overseas tour ever — to Southern Africa in 1965. Reporters were trying to devise a catchy nickname for the team similar to existing international team nicknames such as All Blacks, Springboks, and Wallabies. One of them saw the picture of an animal on the UAR crest; however, he thought it was a puma instead of the actual jaguar. The cougar ( Puma concolor) also puma, mountain lion, or panther, depending on region is a Mammal of the Felidae family The mistake stuck, and was eventually adopted by the Argentines themselves (although the UAR crest still depicts a jaguar). ^[14] As of 2007 the strip is manufactured by adidas and VISA is the shirt sponsor. WikipediaManual of Style (trademarks, which says "Lowercased trademarks with no internal

Home grounds

The Pumas use a variety of stadiums when playing at home. One of the most frequently used for Tests is Vélez Sársfield in Buenos Aires. The Estadio José Amalfitani is a stadium in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is home of Vélez Sársfield from the Argentine First Division Buenos Aires is the Capital and largest city of Argentina. It is geographically located on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern When Great Britain first came to Argentina in the tour of 1910, the first Argentina Test was played in Buenos Aires. During the mid year Tests in 2007, as well as Vélez Sársfield, Argentina played games at venues including Estadio B.G. Estanislao López in Santa Fe and Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza. The 2007 mid-year rugby Test series (also known as the Summer tours in the Northern Hemisphere) refers to the Rugby union Test matches played Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez "El cementerio de los elefantes" is a multi-use Stadium in Santa Fe Argentina. Santa Fe is the capital city of province of Santa Fe, Argentina. The Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, is a stadium in the city of Mendoza Argentina at General San Martín Park. Mendoza (men'dōzə is the capital city of Mendoza Province, in Argentina. Argentina have also used the River Plate Stadium in the past, and in 2006 hosted Wales at Estadio Raúl Conti in Puerto Madryn. The Estadio Monumental Antonio V Liberti, better known as El Monumental de Nuñez or River Plate Stadium, is a Stadium in the Nuñez district The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international Estadio Raúl Conti is a multi-use Stadium in Puerto Madryn, Argentina. Puerto Madryn (in Welsh, Porth Madryn) is a city in the province of Chubut in the Argentine Patagonia.

Record

Overall

Argentina have won 161 of their 270 Test matches, a win record of 59. 63%. ^[15][16] When the world rankings were introduced by the IRB in October 2003, Argentina were ranked seventh. Uses of the rankings The rankings are used by the IRB to rank the progression and current ability of the national rugby union teams of its member nations but the data They fell to eighth in the rankings in June 2004, before rising back to seventh by November that year. They fell back to eighth in February 2005, and stayed there until falling to their lowest ranking of ninth in February 2006. Since then, Argentina rose to eighth in July 2006, then sixth in November of that year. They had a one week fall to seventh, then one week later rose to fifth to start the World Cup 2007.

Los Pumas twice surpassed their highest ranking at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Defeating number three France, the first opening game loss for a World Cup hosting nation, moved them into fourth place, their highest position since the IRB World Rankings were established. Uses of the rankings The rankings are used by the IRB to rank the progression and current ability of the national rugby union teams of its member nations but the data They lost to eventual champions South Africa in the semi-final but beat France yet again in the bronze medal round to set another highest ranking, third, behind South Africa and New Zealand. They are currently ranked 3rd in the world (as of 10th march) behind the Springboks and the All Blacks. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. ^[17]

Their Test record against all nations:^[15]

Against	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	% Won
Australia	17	4	12	1	23. The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in Rugby union. 5%
Brazil	11	11	0	0	100%
British and Irish Lions	7	0	6	1	0%
Canada	8	6	2	0	75%
Chile	27	27	0	0	100%
England	13	3	9	1	23. The Brazil national rugby union team are the national side of Brazil, representing them at Rugby union. The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or "British Lions" Rugby union side comprises a pick of the best players from For the Canadian Rugby league team see Canada national rugby league team. The Chile national rugby union team (nicknamed Los Cóndores, "The Condors " is a third tier Rugby union nation representing Chile. The England national rugby union team represents England in Rugby union. 1%
Fiji	4	3	1	0	75%
France	41	10	30	1	24. The Fiji National rugby union team is one of the strongest national rugby union teams of the world and the third from Oceania, even still as a second tier nation The France national rugby union team represents France in Rugby union. 4%
Georgia	1	1	0	0	100%
Ireland	15	7	7	1	46. The Georgia national rugby union team represents the former Soviet Caucasian republic of Georgia in Rugby union. The Ireland rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in Rugby union, which is a popular sport throughout both the Republic of Ireland and 7%
Italy	14	9	4	1	64. For the rugby sevens side see Italian national rugby union team (sevens The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of 3%
Japan	5	4	1	0	80%
Namibia	2	2	0	0	100%
New Zealand	13	0	12	1	0%
Paraguay	16	16	0	0	100%
Peru	1	1	0	0	100%
Romania	7	7	0	0	100%
Samoa	4	1	3	0	25%
Scotland	10	7	3	0	70%
South Africa	12	0	12	0	0%
Spain	4	4	0	0	100%
United States	9	9	0	0	100%
Uruguay	30	30	0	0	100%
Venezuela	1	1	0	0	100%
Wales	13	5	7	1	40%
World XV	3	3	0	0	100%
Total	286	170	108	8	59. For the Japanese Rugby League team see Japan national rugby league team. The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at Rugby union. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. Paraguay is a third tier rugby playing nation and has yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. The Peru national rugby team, nicknamed los Tumis, is a young team in The Americas and a member of the Confederación Sudamericana de Rugby The Romania national rugby union team, nicknamed The Oaks ( Stejarii) have long been one of the stronger European teams outside of the Six Nations The national Rugby union team of Samoa is called Manu Samoa (the name of a famous Samoan chief some 10 generations ago The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko The Spain national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Spain, representing them at Rugby union. For the American Rugby league team see United States national rugby league team. Uruguay has played in the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups They have been playing international rugby since the late 1940s Venezuela is a third tier rugby playing nation They joined the IRB in 1998 The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international The World Rugby XV is an international rugby union team composed of the best international players selected by a coach 4

World Cup

• 1987 - Pool stage
• 1991 - Pool stage
• 1995 - Pool stage
• 1999 - Quarter-finals
• 2003 - Pool stage
• 2007 - Semi-finals, (3rd place)

Players

Current squad

The squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup:^[18][19][20]

Backs Player Position Club Horacio Agulla Wing Hindú Lucas Borges Wing Benetton Rugby Felipe Contepomi Fly-half / Centre Leinster Manuel Contepomi Centre Newman Ignacio Corleto Fullback / Wing Stade Français Nicolás Fernández Miranda Scrum-half Hindú Juan Martín Hernández Fullback / Fly-half Stade Français Federico Martín Aramburú Wing Perpignan Agustín Pichot (c) Scrum-half Racing Metro 92 Hernán Senillosa Centre Hindú Federico Serra Miras Fullback SIC Gonzalo Tiesi Centre London Irish Federico Todeschini Fly-half Montpellier

Forwards Player Position Club Patricio Albacete Lock Toulouse Rimas Álvarez Kairelis Lock Perpignan Marcos Ayerza Prop Leicester Martín Alberto Durand Flanker Montpellier Ignacio Fernández Lobbe Lock Sale Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe Number eight Sale Santiago González Bonorino Prop Capitolina Eusebio Guiñazu Hooker Agen Omar Hasan Prop Toulouse Mario Ledesma Hooker Clermont Juan Manuel Leguizamón Flanker London Irish Gonzalo Longo Number eight SIC Esteban Lozada Lock CASI Lucas Ostiglia Flanker Agen Rodrigo Roncero Prop Stade Français Martín Scelzo Prop Clermont Martín Schusterman Flanker Leeds Alberto Vernet Basualdo Hooker Alumni

Martín Aramburú replaced the Pumas' all-time leading try scorer, José María Núñez Piossek, after the latter suffered a groin injury. The First Rugby World Cup was hosted by New Zealand and Australia in 1987 and was won by New Zealand. The 1991 Rugby World Cup was jointly hosted by England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France. The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted by South Africa, and had the distinction of being the first Rugby World Cup in which every match The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup and the first to be held in Rugby union 's professional era. The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby union world cup and was won by England. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. Horacio Agulla (born October 22 1984 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player who represents Hindú Club A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Hindú Club founded in 1919 is a sporting club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lucas Borges (born 17 February, 1980 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentina Rugby union player A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Benetton Rugby Treviso are an Italian Rugby union club currently competing in Super 10. Dr Felipe Contepomi (born August 20 1977 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for Rugby union in Manuel Contepomi (born 20 August, 1977 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Newman Club is a Rugby union club founded 15th December 1979 in Benavidez, Buenos Aires, Argentina. For italian municipalities see Corleto Monforte and Corleto Perticara Ignacio ("Nani" Corleto (born June 21, 1978 in A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Stade Français CASG (usually known as Stade Français and Stade Français Paris) are a French professional Rugby union club based in the Nicolás Fernández Miranda (born November 25, 1972 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is a rugby player who has so far won over 40 caps A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Hindú Club founded in 1919 is a sporting club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Juan Martín Hernández (born August 7 1982 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player who currently plays for the French club A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Stade Français CASG (usually known as Stade Français and Stade Français Paris) are a French professional Rugby union club based in the Federico Martin Aramburu (born January 20 1980 in La Plata) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais ( French) or Unió Esportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà ( Catalan) generally abbreviated as USAP in Agustín Pichot (born 22 August, 1974 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player the former captain of the Argentine In team sports a captain is a title given to the member of the team A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Racing Métro 92 Paris is a French Rugby union club that was formed in 2001 with the collaboration of the Racing Club de France and US Métro. Hernan Senillosa (born October 1 1977 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player who plays for Argentina's national A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Hindú Club founded in 1919 is a sporting club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Federico Serra Miras (born 3 October, 1979 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 The San Isidro Club ( SIC) is a rugby union Club in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, member of the Unión de Rugby de Buenos Gonzalo Tiesi (born 25 April, 1985 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentina Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 For the British Army regiment see London Irish Rifles London Irish (also known as The Exiles) is an English Rugby Federico Todeschini (born August 8 1975 in Rosario) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Montpellier Hérault Rugby Club is a professional French Rugby union, based in Montpellier the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon. Patricio Albacete (born December 9 1981 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French Rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Rimas Álvarez Kairelis (born 22 July 1974 in Quilmes, Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer currently A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais ( French) or Unió Esportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà ( Catalan) generally abbreviated as USAP in Marcos Ayerza (born January 12 1983 in Buenos Aires)is an Argentine Rugby union footballer who plays loose-head prop for an English A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English Rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. Martín Durand (born 30 May, 1976 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Flanker is one of fifteen positions in the sport of Rugby union. Montpellier Hérault Rugby Club is a professional French Rugby union, based in Montpellier the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon. Carlos Ignacio Fernández Lobbe (born 20 November, 1974 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Sale Sharks are a professional Rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (born 19 November, 1981 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Sale Sharks are a professional Rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. Santiago González Bonorino (born May 5 1975 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player He has represented A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Unione Rugby Capitolina is an Italian rugby union club They are based in Rome. Eusebio Guiñazu (born 15 January, 1982) is a Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Sporting Union Agen Lot et Garonne is a French Rugby union club currently competing in the second level of the French league system, the Pro D2 Omar Hasan Jalil (born 21 April, 1971 in Tucumán) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Stade Toulousain, also referred to as Toulouse, is a French Rugby union club from Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. Mario Ledesma Arocena (born 17 May 1973 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne is a French Rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes Juan Manuel Leguizamón (born 6 June, 1983) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Flanker is one of fifteen positions in the sport of Rugby union. For the British Army regiment see London Irish Rifles London Irish (also known as The Exiles) is an English Rugby Gonzalo Longo (born 14 March, 1974 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer currently playing with French club A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 The San Isidro Club ( SIC) is a rugby union Club in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, member of the Unión de Rugby de Buenos Esteban Lozada (born January 8 1982 in Belgium) is an Argentine Rugby union player who currently plays for French team RC Toulon A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 The Club Atlético San Isidro ( CASI) is a Rugby union Club in San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, member of the Unión Lucas Ostiglia (born 3 May 1976 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer currently playing for French club Agen Flanker is one of fifteen positions in the sport of Rugby union. Sporting Union Agen Lot et Garonne is a French Rugby union club currently competing in the second level of the French league system, the Pro D2 Dr Rodrigo Roncero (born 16 February, 1977 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Stade Français CASG (usually known as Stade Français and Stade Français Paris) are a French professional Rugby union club based in the Juan Martín Scelzo (born 5 February 1976 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer currently playing for ASM A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne is a French Rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes Martin Schusterman (born 13 September 1975 in San Juan Argentina) is a Rugby union footballer for Leeds Carnegie. Flanker is one of fifteen positions in the sport of Rugby union. Leeds Carnegie is an English Rugby union club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire that currently plays in the National Division One after being relegated Alberto Vernet Basualdo (born June 8, 1982 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an Argentine Rugby union player A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 Alumni Athletic Club, usually just Alumni, is a Rugby union and former Association football sports club from the Belgrano district of Buenos José María Núñez Piossek (born 6 December, 1976 in Tucumán) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer currently playing for French Senillosa replaced Martín Gaitán, who was forced to withdraw when he was found to have a blocked artery in his heart. Martín Gaitán (born June 15 1978 in Paraná) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Guiñazu replaced Ledesma for the third-place match against France after the latter suffered an adductor muscle injury in the Pumas' semi-final loss to South Africa.

Notable players

• Esteban Jorge Karplus (1937-2002)
• Diego Albanese (1973 - )
• Lisandro Arbizu
• Felipe Contepomi (1977 - )
• Diego Domínguez (1966 - ) (a dual international, first for Argentina and then for Italy)
• Rolando Martin
• Federico Pera Mendez (1972 - )
• Patricio Noriega (1971 - ) (a dual international, first for Argentina and then for Australia)
• Marcelo Pascual (1964 - ) [1]
• Agustín Pichot (1974 - )
• Hugo Porta (1951 - ) (Inductee to the International Rugby Hall of Fame)
• Gonzalo Quesada (1974 - )
• Pedro Sporleder
• Ignacio Corleto

Coaches

Coaches:^[21]

• 1932: Edmundo Stanfield
• 1936: Luis Cilley, Edmundo Stanfield and C. Diego Albanese (born September 17, 1973 in Mar del Plata) is a former Argentinian rugby union player who played as a winger. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Lisandro Arbizu (born September 29, 1971 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Dr Felipe Contepomi (born August 20 1977 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Diego Dominguez (born 25 April, 1966 in Córdoba, Argentina) is a former Rugby union fly-half who played for Italy Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. For the rugby sevens side see Italian national rugby union team (sevens The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Rolando Martin (born September 23, 1968 in Maryland, United States) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Patricio Noriega (born 22 October, 1971, Argentina is a former Argentine Rugby Union footballer who played. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in Rugby union. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Agustín Pichot (born 22 August, 1974 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union player the former captain of the Argentine Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Hugo Porta (born 11 September 1951 in Buenos Aires) is a former Argentine Rugby Union footballer an International Rugby Hall of Fame inductee and arguably Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January The International Rugby Hall of Fame (IRHOF is a Hall of fame for Rugby union. Gonzalo Quesada was born May 2, 1974 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Pedro Sporleder (born 2 January, 1971 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine Rugby union footballer For italian municipalities see Corleto Monforte and Corleto Perticara Ignacio ("Nani" Corleto (born June 21, 1978 in Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Huntley Robertson.
• 1954: Juan C. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar) Wells.
• 1956: Dermot Cavanagh and Horacio Savino. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• 1959: Jorge Merelle. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• 1960: Saturnino Racimo. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• 1965: Izaak Van Heerden, Alberto Camardón and Ángel Guastella. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.
• 1965 - 1966: Alberto Camardón and Ángel Guastella. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar.
• 1967 - 1970: Alberto Camardón, Ángel Guastella and Jorge Merelle. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• 1971: Ángel Guastella and Eduardo Poggi. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar.
• 1972 - 1973: Ángel Guastella, Eduardo Poggi and Oscar Martínez Basante. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar.
• 1974: Carlos Villegas, Emilio Perasso and Jorge Merelle. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar.
• 1975: Eduardo Poggi and Eduardo Scahrenberg. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• 1976 - 1977: Carlos Villegas and Emilio Perasso. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays
• 1978: Ángel Guastella, Aitor Otaño and José L. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Imhoff.
• 1979 - 1980: Luis Gradín and Aitor Otaño. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar)
• 1981 - 1983: Rodolfo O'Reilly. Year 1981 ( MCMLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar)
• 1984: Héctor Silva and Aitor Otaño. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar)
• 1985 - 1986: Héctor Silva, Aitor Otaño and Ángel Guastella. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar)
• 1987: Héctor Silva and Ángel Guastella. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar)
• 1988 - 1990: Rodolfo O'Reilly and Raúl Sanz. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar)
• 1990 - 1991: Luis Gradín and Guillermo Lamarca. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar.
• 1992: Luis Gradín and José L. Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) Imhoff.
• 1993 - 1994: Héctor Méndez and José J. Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Fernández.
• 1995: Alejandro Petra and Ricardo Paganini. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995
• 1995: Alejandro Petra and Emilio Perasso. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995
• 1996: José L. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Imhoff, José J. Fernández, Héctor Méndez and Alex Wyllie. Alex "Grizz" Wyllie (born 30 August 1944 in Christchurch) is a former New Zealand Rugby union footballer and coach
• 1997: José Luis Imhoff, Héctor Méndez and Alex Wyllie. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Alex "Grizz" Wyllie (born 30 August 1944 in Christchurch) is a former New Zealand Rugby union footballer and coach
• 1998: José Luis Imhoff and Alex Wyllie. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Alex "Grizz" Wyllie (born 30 August 1944 in Christchurch) is a former New Zealand Rugby union footballer and coach
• 1999: José Luis Imhoff and Alex Wyllie, next Héctor Méndez and Alex Wyllie, next Alex Wyllie. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Alex "Grizz" Wyllie (born 30 August 1944 in Christchurch) is a former New Zealand Rugby union footballer and coach Alex "Grizz" Wyllie (born 30 August 1944 in Christchurch) is a former New Zealand Rugby union footballer and coach Alex "Grizz" Wyllie (born 30 August 1944 in Christchurch) is a former New Zealand Rugby union footballer and coach
• 2000 - 2007 : Marcelo Loffreda and Daniel Baetti. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. Marcelo Loffreda (born May 17, 1959 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is a rugby player and coach until recently head coach for the English
• 2008 - present: Santiago Phelan and Fabián Turnes^[1]

See also

• Argentina sevens team
• Churchill Cup
• English settlement in Argentina
• Puma Trophy
• Rugby union in Argentina
• South American Jaguars

References

• Argentina's time in the sun (from the BBC)
• Puma power (from the BBC)

External links

• (Spanish) Official Argentina rugby home page
• Argentinian rugby union news on Planet Rugby
• (Spanish)Rugby Fun - Excellent Argentine Rugby Website
• (Spanish) Rugbytime - News, Statistics and Results about Argentinian Rugby
• (Spanish) Argentinian rugby news from El Rugbier

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