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Julian Montoya among the latest trio of players to take ill at Argentina training

(Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

Preparations by Argentina to be ready for the start of the Rugby Championship in Australia have suffered another setback after three new cases of Covid-19 were detected at their training camp, among them Julian Montoya.

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Without a Test match since bowing out of the 2019 World Cup last October, rugby in Argentina has been struggling since the outbreak of the pandemic. 

The Jaguares have had their squad decimated following the suspension of Super Rugby, numerous players and their coach Gonzalo Quesada opting to find clubs in Europe and play there instead. 

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RugbyPass brings you the latest episode of The Lockdown, the Sky Sport NZ programme which this week guest stars NZR CEO Mark Robinson

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RugbyPass brings you the latest episode of The Lockdown, the Sky Sport NZ programme which this week guest stars NZR CEO Mark Robinson

Now, it’s the turn of the Argentina Test squad to be hit hard, with Montoya, Sebastian Cancelliere and Domingo Miotti the latest players to arrive into sickbay.

It beings to more than a dozen the number of their players who have been affected by the virus. However, six players have been able to resume training and the UAR have stated: “33 players have already been able to resume training.”

Pumas coach Mario Ledesma tested positive last week for the virus, adding to doubts that Argentina will eventually be able to take their place in the Championship which will be held in Australia and starts on November 7. 

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, participation in the Rugby Championship has been a priority for the Argentine Rugby Union,” said its president Marcelo Rodriguez last week after it was confirmed the tournament would go ahead in Australia and not in New Zealand and initially speculated. 

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There were many days of uncertainty and of analysing different possibilities that did not put the players at risk. There was a very good conversation with our members from Sanzaar, so we are a little closer to achieving the most beautiful thing that rugby has: to see Los Pumas again on a field.”

Different alternatives are still being studied regarding the likely departure date for Argentina to fly out for the tournament. That research will take into account all the health security measures to be able to travel.

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J
Jon 7 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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