PREM Rugby
Argentina 
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Argentina
Argentina compete in The Rugby Championship and The Nations Championship. They’ve also appeared at every edition of the Rugby World Cup.
Argentina News
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Latest
World Ranking
Argentina are currently 7th in the World Rugby Rankings. Their highest ever ranking was 3rd in June 2008.
Ranking Over Time
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2003
2015
2026
Argentina Matches
Sat 8 Aug, 2026
Sat 29 Aug, 2026
Sat 5 Sep, 2026
Argentina Rugby Team Players
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Argentina Backs
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Argentina Tournaments
Argentina Rugby Team
The Argentina rugby team is ranked amongst the world's best. Known by their fans as 'Los Pumas', the team competes in both The Rugby Championship and The Nations Championship. In addition to this, they've also featured in every Rugby World Cup to date.
The Argentina rugby squad has also contained its fair share of legendary players over the years. This includes record breakers like former Argentina captain Agustín Creevy, try-scoring supremo José María Núñez Piossek and popular fly-half Nicolás Sánchez.
Today, the Argentina rugby squad contains a number of top names, including back rower Pablo Matera, and hooker and captain, Julián Montoya.
Argentina at The Rugby Championship
Argentina first entered The Rugby Championship in 2012, when the competition was expanded from the Tri-Nations. In the team’s first few seasons in the competition, they struggled to find their feet and only managed to avoid the wooden spoon once between 2012 and 2019 (they came third in 2015).
However, since 2020, the Argentina rugby squad has started to perform admirably in this elite competition. Although they’ve never won The Rugby Championship, they finished second in 2020 and the team now notches regular wins against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
Argentina at the Rugby World Cup
The Argentina rugby team has appeared at every edition of the Rugby World Cup since 1987. Their highest honour is their third place finish in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. This is a feat they're yet to surpass and despite qualifying for all competitions pre and post 2007, the closest the team has come to this is a fourth-place finish in both 2015 and 2023.
By contrast, the Argentina rugby squad has also put in some underwhelming Rugby World Cup performances over the years. For example, in 1987, 1991, 1995, 2003 and 2019, the team failed to progress past the pool stage. That said, generally speaking, the side has been getting much stronger and they now regularly reach the latter stages of the competition.
FAQs
How many Rugby World Cups have Los Pumas won?
Argentina have never won the Rugby World Cup. Los Pumas achieved their best result in 2007, when they finished third.
Who is the current head coach of Los Pumas?
Felipe Contepomi is the current head coach of Los Pumas. He’s held the position since 2023.
Who captains Argentina in rugby union?
Julián Montoya is the captain of Los Pumas.
Why is Argentina’s rugby team called Los Pumas?
Argentina’s ‘Los Pumas’ nickname is actually the result of an error made by South African journalist Carl Kohler during the team’s first ever overseas tour.
Kohler was trying to coin a nickname for the team to rival the likes of the Springboks and the Wallabies. Then, while looking at a photo of their kit, he spotted an animal on the badge.
Up against a tight deadline, he incorrectly believed the animal was a puma rather than a jaguar. He didn’t have time to check this before he published his column and he coined the nickname ‘Los Pumas’ in error.
The nickname stuck and was even adopted by the Argentines. However, up until 2023, the team’s crest did continue to picture a jaguar.
When was the Argentina national rugby side founded?
The Argentina national rugby team was formed in 1910. The side played a touring British Isles team in their first ever international, losing 3-28.
What is Argentina’s biggest defeat in rugby union?
Argentina’s biggest defeat in rugby union came in 1997. The team were defeated 93-8 by the All Blacks in Wellington.
Who has scored the most points for Argentina?
Nicolás Sánchez is Argentina’s top point-scorer. He scored 902 points for Los Pumas between 2010 and 2023.
Who has the most caps for Argentina?
Pablo Matera holds the record for the most appearances for Argentina. He still represents Los Pumas to this day and has been capped more than 120 times.
What is Argentina’s record against New Zealand?
Argentina hold a losing record against the All Blacks.
The two sides have played 41 times since they first met in 1976, with the All Blacks winning 36 times, Los Pumas winning four and another encounter ending in a draw. Interestingly, all of Argentina’s victories have come since 2020!
Who is Argentina’s all-time leading try scorer?
Argentina’s top try-scorer is José María Núñez Piossek. He scored 29 tries for his country between 2001 and 2008.
What is Argentina’s best Rugby World Cup finish?
Argentina’s best Rugby World Cup finish is third. They won the Bronze Final in 2007, when they defeated France 34-10.
Where do Los Pumas play their home rugby matches?
Los Pumas play home test matches at a variety of stadiums. One of the most frequently used for tests is José Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires.
What colours do Argentina play in rugby?
Argentina play in a jersey that represents the country's flag. Their kit usually incorporates a light blue and white shirt, white shorts and socks in light blue and white.
Who are the most famous Argentina rugby players?
Over the years, a number of famous rugby players have played for Argentina, including Hugo Porta and Juan Martín Hernández.
