Santiago Cordero extends his stay in the Premiership
Santiago Cordero says he is “excited” about what lies ahead for him at Sandy Park after he today agreed terms on a new one-year deal with the Exeter Chiefs.
The Argentinian international arrived in Devon back in January on a short-term contract until the end of the season.
However, the 24-year-old’s impressive form, both in matches and in training, has done enough to convince Chiefs’ Director of Rugby Rob Baxter to extend his stay.
Although he has yet to score his first points for the current English champions, Cordero helped his new club to lift the Anglo-Welsh Cup in March with a 28-11 victory over Bath at Kingsholm.
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He has also played his part in guiding the Chiefs to top spot in the Premiership at the end of the regular season – and is now gearing up for the upcoming, sold-out semi-final against visiting Newcastle Falcons.
Reflecting on his new deal, Cordero – who has won 33 caps and scored 11 tries for the Pumas – said: “I am very excited of course. It is a great opportunity for me to grow as a player and as a person here, so I am really happy.”
Although it’s his first taste of English rugby, Cordero has settled well to life in the Westcountry.
“Everything is here for me,” he added. “I am always learning. I think I came to the best team in England so I am very happy with that, and I will try to keep on learning and become a better player.
“Already I have learnt lots of new things and I am always trying to ask questions and keep learning. However, I think I am just starting. I think I can make more of my talent in rugby.”
Like Cordero, Baxter is delighted the versatile back is hanging around the place for at least another season.
“I think the most impressive thing is that he has shown the qualities we really like,” said Baxter. “He has been prepared to work hard off the field and learn what we do as a side very quickly.
“At the same time, he has also been prepared to work very hard on the field. When I say that, those are the very basics of the game. I know some people will be impressed with some of the stepping and the breaks and the go-forward stuff, but actually what makes you very selectable here first and foremost is if you chase kicks flat-out, you work hard to be in defensive position well, you are aggressive and complete your tackles and give us momentum defensively and work hard that way.
“They are a lot of the qualities we look for in our backs which people think as non-flash stuff. I think in the Harlequins game there was a perfect example when he covers a chip from his wing to the far wing and catches a mark in the 22 – those are the hard-work elements he has bought into very, very quickly.
“For me, that makes him very selectable and when you are selected, it means you can add a bit of dynamic and electric go-forward.”
Baxter also highlighted how the move had already brought plenty of positives for all parties concerned.
He continued: “I am pleased for him and pleased for us. It was a good move for both of us bringing him in this year and obviously we are looking forward to him continuing to improve and settle and have an even more impressive time with us next season.
“I think there is a lot more to come from him as he becomes more comfortable, as he gets a bit more physical development, and gets more comfortable with our patterns and our plays and all the communication. I just think all of those things will help him develop.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
58 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments