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Harlequins reveal second Puma signing

By Online Editors
Harlequins huddle after the match

Harlequins have signing of Argentina international Loosehead Prop Santiago Garcia Botta for the 2019/20 season.

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The powerful scrummager, who has 33 international caps, will join the Club after the World Cup in Japan, if selected, later this year.

The 26-year-old, who currently plays for Jaguares and was part of the Argentina squad that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2015, said he was setting his sights on helping Harlequins win trophies in their new era under Head of Rugby Paul Gustard.

He said: “It is brilliant to be joining a club with the drive and ambition that Paul Gustard and his team have at Harlequins. I know I am joining a club with a fantastic heritage and one that is moving in the right direction and with its sights set on winning silverware.”

Gustard added: “We are delighted to welcome Santi to Harlequins and know he will fit in brilliantly to the winning environment we have created at the Club.

“He is a powerful prop who has had an excellent career in Argentina to date and now we look forward to seeing him help us build on the progression we have made this season.

“He is a young man who has already played a lot of Super Rugby and international rugby and will add a significant high level of experience to our squad. He is mobile, aggressive and caught the eye of Bomb [Adam Jones] with his powerful scrummaging.

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“He is joining us as he enters the prime of his career and I know everyone at Quins will welcome him and his girlfriend Maria to the Club as he looks to test himself in different competitions and develop his game further.”

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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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B
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.

29 Go to comments
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