Player Profile: Diego Albanese
By Trewbear
December 14 2003
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Nickname | Chu |
| Position | Winger / Fullback | |
| Date of Birth | 17/09/73 | |
| Previous Club | Gloucester | |
| Height | 5' 8" | |
| Tykes Debut | 31/08/02 | |
| Honours | Argentina |
I first noticed Diego in the 1999 World Cup when he scored the try, which beat Ireland in the group stages and sent Argentina on to finally play in the last eight.
Born in Mar del Plata in 1973, Diego moved from the coast to play his rugby for S.I.C. in Buenos Aires. More renowned for his full back play, he took the plunge and moved to Grenoble in France to take up the sport professionally. He soon found himself playing on the wing for Gloucester where he rapidly became one of the Sheds firm favourites.
Famous for apologising to the Cherry and White fans for being sent off (the only time in his career) on their Unofficial website Diego shocked them when Phil Davies announced him as his first signing in the summer last year.
Diego maintained that it was to have regular first team rugby so that he could push for a world cup place for his beloved Argentina in Australia 2003. A feat that he has achieved.
The "Little un" amazes and bemuses some Tykes fans with his flair for playing out of trouble from the back preferring the chip and run to the kick into touch! He has a strong defensive tackle and high work rate.
In my opinion he scored one of the best international tries against the French in the Pumas famous win against the Six Nations Champions last year. It's strange to think that he has only scored one try for the Tykes although he has been the maker of many.
Truly settled in Yorkshire, Natalia (Diego's wife) gave birth to Mateo, their first little Tyke just before Christmas. This new arrival has given Diego less time to listen to his favourite band U2, watch "Friends" on the T.V. and surf the Internet although he is trying hard to learn all the words to "Marching On".
I sincerely hope that he marches on a lot longer for the Tykes as he a credit to his club, country, and sport and when all is said and done, he is a jolly nice man!
Profile by Trewbear 15/10/03.