Cordero earns contract extension after impressing the boss
Los Pumas back Facundo Cordero has agreed a contract extension with the reigning English and European champions, Exeter Chiefs.
The 22-year-old joined the Chiefs in the summer of 2020, following in the footsteps of older brother Santiago, who enjoyed two highly successful seasons at Sandy Park, scoring 10 tries in 33 appearances.
Cordero – who can play at full-back or on the wing – made his debut for the Chiefs in last season’s Gallagher Premiership game away to Saracens.
Since then, he has featured 11 times for Baxter’s side, scoring two tries – the pick of which was his sublime solo effort in the game away to Sale Sharks back in February.
“He has been fantastic, hasn’t he? He came over on a bit of an opportunity contract for what was remaining of last season and this,” said Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter. “Obviously, we had managed to look at a fair bit of footage of him playing over in Argentina and you could see his stepping his ability and that he was brave defensively.
“Since he has come here, he’s certainly shown that fantastic stepping ability; he’s certainly shown he is brave defensively and he’s slowly getting fit, which is a real plus!
“Anyone who has watched our games will see that once he’s had to sprint the length of the field a couple of times in some kick battle chases, there is a little bit of a blow that goes on, but he’s working very hard at that and the truth is it looks like he has all the capabilities to be a very good player for us.”
A popular member of the current Chiefs squad, Baxter believes Cordero’s best years are still very much ahead of him and he hopes this new deal will help bring the best out of the fleet-footed flyer.
He added: “He’s a bit like Santi in that he has that top-end winger pace that you see in some guys, where they just stay on the wing and zoom around the outside. But, ironically, he is a lot quicker than you think and he has that ability to beat people in a small space and come through tackles is fantastic.
“I think sometimes that is a bigger quality to have in your team than out and out pace, it’s someone who can get you over the gain-line is absolutely invaluable and that’s definitely his speciality. His high ball skills are improving all the time – and that’s massively important for a player who plays full-back or wing – and defensively he looks very sound.
“He has already come up with some fantastic defensive moments for us already, so I am really excited about the deal because I think he will feature strongly for us, not just for the remainder of this season, but the next couple of the seasons.”
With much the current Chiefs squad tied down for the foreseeable future, Baxter is confident that the Devonians will continue to push forward on all fronts.
“I think if you see someone who has the qualities worth having a look at – and they prove them to you, like Facu has done – then the first thing you want to do is make sure you can carry on working with those qualities for the next couple of years. That is what we have done.
“As I said, he’s a young man, I kind of think he can only get better – and he’s already pretty good – so that not only bodes well for him, but for as well as moving into the future.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments