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Argentinian international Grondona to stay at Chiefs

By Ian Cameron
Santiago Grondona /Getty

Argentinian international Santiago Grondona is set to stay at Exeter Chiefs, the club has confirmed.

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Grondona arrived at Sandy Park back in November on what Rob Baxter has called an ‘opportunity contract’ but Exeter have liked what they’ve seen and are keeping the 23-year-old on.

The 6’6, 106kg back row has featured eight times for the Devon club this season, scoring a try in a recent away game at Worcester Warriors.

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Ospreys coach Toby Booth reviews his team’s disappointing loss to the Lions at Ellis Park

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Ospreys coach Toby Booth reviews his team’s disappointing loss to the Lions at Ellis Park

He lines out in the Exeter Chiefs team that will play Leicester Tigers today.

“I’m very happy to stay here. It’s incredible news for me, because I am enjoying everything so far and, hopefully, it will get even better next year. Since arriving, the club, Sandy Park, the boys, it’s all been amazing and I am learning new things every day from the coaches and the other players,” said Grondona.

“Right now, we are in an important moment in the tournament. We’re in the top four, pushing hard and needing to win, so we’re preparing for every game like a final. Being here, I know the Premiership is a very tough league with very good players, but it’s what I want to do.”

Helping Grondona to settle into life at Sandy Park has been team-mate and compatriot, Facundo Cordero, who he was quick to praise for his input.

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“Facu has helped me a lot,” added Grondona. “He picked up the first day, brought me to the club and showed me around, told me the calls and helped with everything. Having him here has been very good for me but, as I said, all the boys and all the staff have been amazing.”

Director of rugby Rob Baxter was also enthused that the international was staying at the club.

“Obviously we’re delighted that Santi is staying. He came here initially on what you would call an ‘opportunity contract’ because we had a few injuries, but he has really proved his worth, shown the qualities we know he has, and he’s learning all the time. For us, it was an easy decision to extend his stay,” said Baxter.

“We know he will want to go away and play with Argentina and we obviously want him to play well enough for us to get selected by Argentina, but we also know he will come back and be available for large parts of the season, including through the Six Nations period, so again it’s about putting together that squad that makes things all work together.

“At the moment, I think we have only really scratched the surface in terms of what Santi can bring to the team. I think he is improving all the time, he’s fitting in more and more, and I actually that although he looks good at the moment, the growth and the development of him as a player is massive.”

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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