Has been noticed around here that Marcos Ayerza hasn't been picked for the Rugby Championship training squad, which strongly suggests that he won't be selected during the Championship.
Gutted for the guy, especially given the non-rugby (read: political) circumstances around the situation. Really hope this doesn't jeopardise his chances for the WC, but this is a huge boost for Tigers; to have him around, especially when we need to come out the traps at the start of the next season is a huge bonus.
Here's an interview with Patricio Albacete explaining the (pretty controversial) situation and the original Spanish version, enjoy :
Any views on the Albacete interview, Farmboy? Given that it's been published since the last comment on your discussion, I feel it's pretty relevant. UAR still likely to take Pato back after he's publicly called them manipulstive and called the coach a liar?
Possibly not Albacete after that interview but was more commenting on Ayerza, time will tell. As said on other thread IMSVHO it would be better for Pablo & Argentina in the long run for him to have a pre season with Tigers but can not see it happening.
Ayerza probably best loosehead in the world currently, would be a certain in most international teams around the world, stupidity from the pumas selection panel, good news for tigers tho, they seem to have a similar bizarre Lancaster type selection policy.
youngtiger wrote:Has been noticed around here that Marcos Ayerza hasn't been picked for the Rugby Championship training squad, which strongly suggests that he won't be selected during the Championship.
Gutted for the guy, especially given the non-rugby (read: political) circumstances around the situation. Really hope this doesn't jeopardise his chances for the WC, but this is a huge boost for Tigers; to have him around, especially when we need to come out the traps at the start of the next season is a huge bonus.
You have to feel sorry for Marcos if he is excluded. As a proud Argentinian I'm sure that, unlike some of our footballers allegedly, he wants to represent his country as often as he can, particularly at a WC, and he is unlikely to be around for the 2019 version.
I'm sure i read that when the pumas were accepted in to the tri nations by a certain date sure it was a world cup year a certain % of the players have to be based in Argentina? I could be totally wrong mind sure that happened once before plus we forget he hasnt had a break since last june so his body needs rest and sure they will include him at some point
Interesting to see that Marcos is currently with us he is pictured on twitter with some fellow Tigers in attendance at a Tigers Family Fun day yesterday.
Without hope we are nothing, keep the faith, a Tiger for eternity
I know its a long shot but possibly the ARU saw the sense in that they know what they have got with Marcos and thought that a rest & pre season with Tigers would be better for him come next years WC.
Farmboy wrote:I know its a long shot but possibly the ARU saw the sense in that they know what they have got with Marcos and thought that a rest & pre season with Tigers would be better for him come next years WC.
It could be political or it could be that Argentina are using it as a last chance to blood young props against the top dogs were the media spotlight will not be on them as much as the RWC.
But during the AI the Primeirship games we have are:
Saracens Home
Welsh Away
Wasps Home
With the squad potentially looking like
1) Rizzo/Bristow (Depending if Rizzo is called back up following Italy bad summer tour without him)
2) Briggs
3) Balmain
4) Slater/Deacon (Depending is Slater is in the England 23)
5) Kitchener
6) Croft/Mafi/Gibson (Depending if Croft Mafi are called up)
7) Salvi
8) Crane
9) Mele
10) Williams (Reckon Burns will be England sub following NZ tour)
11) Scully
12) Allen
13) Loamanu
14) Morris
15) Tait
16) Thacker
17) Bristow/Brugnara/Sio
18) Pasquali
19) Deacon/De Cheves
20) Mafi/Gibson/Owen
21) Harrison
22) Bai
23) Benjamin/Hamilton/Camacho/Hepetema
That with Cole not being ready and people not getting injuryed.
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