Don't cry for us Argentina
By The Saracens
August 7 2023
WElcome to our 2 new South American recruits. Lucio Cinti The closing down sale at London Irish has allowed Sarries to sign Lucio Cinti. I have to admit he’s not someone who had previously been on my radar but boy he is now!
23 year old Lucio was born in La Plata in Argentina. Lucio (and Juan Martin Gonzales – see below) are both products of Argentina’s scouting process which began in 2016 in time for the 2018 Youth Games which were played in Buenos Aires. They benefitted from working with Santiago Gomez Cora, the Puma’s 7’s coach. Cora was impressed by Lucio Cinti’s commitment: “the commitment and hunger of each player has to come from within. Cinti and Mendy live in La Plata, a city some 90 kilometres from the sevens training centre, needing to go through Buenos Aires and the horrific traffic of a city of 15 million. They both did the trip daily.”
Lucio was called up to the senior Argentina squad at the young age of 20 for the Tri Nations series and was an unused sub when the Pumas claimed a 1st historic win over the All Blacks. He was in the Puma’s sevens squad at the Tokyo Olympics and ended up with a bronze medal (at the expense of team GB!) He joined Irish in 2021 at the age of 21 with 4 international caps to his name, signing for the exiles just a few weeks after Juan Martin Gonzales Samso.
Lucio is a versatile back, he started out on the wing but can play anywhere in the back 5. He played for Irish 15 times. During the recent Rugby Championship, he established himself as one of the Puma’s first choice centres, wearing the 12 shirt in the defeat to the all Blacks and the 13 shirt in the win over Australia (where he made a superb try-saving tackle) and the narrow defeat to the Springboks. He is deservedly in the Argentina squad for the World Cup.
On joining the Men in Black, Lucio said “I’m very happy to join the club and am looking forward to being a part of it!” Mark McCall added “Lucio is a young player with enormous potential who will bring both X Factor and versatility to our back-line. We are excited to welcome him to the club.”
Back in 2021, Cora said “I’ve been in awe of how he gets better in every training session….he is a mature player, intuitive, that makes good decisions in contact, aggressive, and knows how to search for spaces…..he has great presence but his future is entirely in his hands. He has no ceiling on his career in rugby”. It looks like Lucio’s hands are very safe!
Juan Martin Gonzales Samso
Juan is another recruit from Irish. Reputedly Sarries beat Bristol Bears to his signature. Like Lucio Cinti he was born in 2000 and the 2 players seem to have followed each other around, Lucio following Juan to Irish and Juan then following Lucio to Sarries. 22 year old Juan Martin made an immediate impact at Irish, playing for them 18 times in his 2 seasons there. He was called up to represent the Pumas in 2021, making his debut against Romania. He now has 20 caps and 7 tries including one in the recent Rugby Championships. He seems happy anywhere in the back row so may become our modern day Jackson Wray. He is in the Puma’s squad for the World Cup in France so his first contact with his new team mates is likely to be on opposing sides!
On joining Saracens he said all the right things: “I am very excited to meet the players and the fans. I will give everything to make sure the team goes well!”. Mark McCall said “Juan is a player who we are very excited about. He has shown his ability in the Premiership over the past couple of seasons and we believe he has his best rugby ahead of him.”
Shortly after joining Irish, Juan was asked for his opinion on Guinness. His response was“Yes I have tried a pint of Guinness. Here was the first time and it’s very huge but it’s good. It’s very good!” – make of that what you will – wonder what he’ll think of Wolfpack lager?
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:02:08:01:57 by Darraghgirl.
Two of ELEVEN players from the Premiership League in the Argentinian RWC2023 Squad...
~ You never knowingly let the facts get in the way of the story. ~
The deadline for finalisation is nearly 3 weeks away, though managers can go early (Throbwick) if they wish.
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
And, will DG channel her inner Julie Covington at any stage? The Green Man, before next season's final, perhaps? 😉
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Quote:TonyTaff
Excellent news! How many Sarries will there be at the World Cup, by the time the dust settles?
And, will DG channel her inner Julie Covington at any stage? The Green Man, before next season's final, perhaps? 😉
You wouldn't want to hear it TT!
Quote:DarraghgirlQuote:TonyTaff
Excellent news! How many Sarries will there be at the World Cup, by the time the dust settles?
And, will DG channel her inner Julie Covington at any stage? The Green Man, before next season's final, perhaps? 😉
You wouldn't want to hear it TT!
I am the exception that proves the rule; a Welshman who cannot sing!
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Quote:TonyTaff
And, will DG channel her inner Julie Covington at any stage? The Green Man, before next season's final, perhaps? 😉
I had to look that up! And now I can't believe Julie Covington is 76!!
