The freakish genetic tie that sets Chile aside from every other rugby nation

A cóndor never flies alone, not in the animal kingdom and certainly not in the Chile rugby team, as evidenced by the five sets of brothers playing side by side in the setup led by Pablo Lemoine.

While the Videlas (Santiago and Benjamín) and Garafulics (Matías and Nicolás) brotherhoods won’t be complete this Nations Cup, fans could still enjoy watching three sets of brothers throw down the gauntlet this July: the Saavedra twins, Clemente and Domingo; the prop duo of Baltazar and Iñaki Gurruchaga; and the sibling trio of Diego, Alfonso and Martín Escobar.

There is a flavour for every taste among Chile’s rugby brothers, from hard-carrying props to tireless back-rowers and electric speedsters.

Against Romania, the Saavedras were delivering tackles together after the break, while the Gurruchagas and Escobars will have to wait to see if they get that chance against Hong Kong China and/or Georgia.

But do the Chilean brotherhoods bestow any edge or impact upon the Cóndores? And does it really matter? Well, in their own words, the Chilean national team is a real family, with everyone brothers, as Iñaki Gurruchaga says.

Fixture

World Rugby Nations Cup

Chile

15:00

11 Jul 26

Hong Kong China

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“We are just two sets of hands helping the national team. Be it the Escobars, Gurruchagas, Garafulics, Saavedras, or Videlas, our only goal is to help the Cóndores be the strongest family of all. We are tight, and we look for each other, as proper brothers would do.”

As for Clemente Saavedra, brotherhood goes far beyond shared DNA or blood ties; in his view, they are all part of one family: the Cóndores.

“For us, to play for Chile is all about commitment and giving our all to what is our family. Whatever it takes, whoever we face, we will be there fighting for every single one of our brothers.”

With Clemente and Domingo instrumental in Chile’s opening Nations Cup victory against Romania, the inevitable question arose: who is the better player? According to Clemente, there is no simple answer.

“It would be wrong of me to pick one, as we are both excellent players. Each one has its strengths, and we work hard to be at a top level, as we’ve done since the very start.”

For him, the special connection he shares with his twin goes beyond what happens on the pitch.

“It is a very natural connection. We understand each other well and support each other in both good and difficult moments. We’ve always played together. Do you know that our father was our first coach? What a time it was?

As for the Gurruchaga prop duo, despite the five-year age difference between them, the brothers are full of admiration for one another, with Iñaki giving his honest answer about who’s the better player.

“Baltazar, for me, is the perfect player, does everything well. However, I am quicker and pack a bit more stopping power than him! But my brother’s passing skills are quality level!”

Like Iñaki, Baltazar does not hold back, delivering a characteristically honest answer of his own.

“My brother and I work hard to be the best players available for the squad. I couldn’t say who’s the better one, as we work with the same heart and determination.”

While the brothers have yet to feature together for the Cóndores, Iñaki already considers training alongside his brother a special privilege.

“To be here, playing with him for the Chilean national team, is beyond special. I get to enjoy his company, and we share good advice with each other. It has always been important to me to be the best possible role model for him.”

With Baltazar doing what he can to earn his first Test cap, he reflects on how different things could have been, acknowledging that he may not be where he is today without Iñaki’s guidance.

“While I play at this level now, there was a time when I didn’t want it, but seeing Iñaki giving his all motivated me. That and the fact that my father, uncle and cousins also played for the national team. The Cóndores blood runs through our veins.”

Even though these five families with deep ties to the Chilean national team are together at this level, for Baltazar, what matters is that all team members share the same brotherhood, ready to give their body and soul to the cause.

“It is an uncommon thing, to say the very least. While rugby has been growing significantly, with more Chileans playing, it is also true that the sport runs deep in some families. However, we aren’t special because we are brothers, as the most special thing is being part of the Cóndores family, as Clemente has already mentioned.”

After starting their campaign with an impressive 48-31 home victory over the Stejarii, Chile’s band of brothers will be determined to deliver another memorable performance come Saturday, and they are ready to put everything on the line, as Baltazar echoes.

“Sacrifice. What we’ve given up to be here, right now, is unimaginable, but we would do it all over again because the Cóndores deserve our complete commitment.”