Hi... again!

Hey guys! Sorry for going MIA (twice in a row now)!

You probably forgot me. I used to be Cruz, from Argentina.

2012 and 2013 have been immense for me in so many ways that it kind of overwhelmed me in the end.

I'm looking forward to debating some more with you lot. I'll have more free time now (moving to NZ soon) so let's hope I can sustain the habit of posting regularly.

Totsiens!

Mike

Thanks mate. I am not used to posting in Forums so the habit kind of goes away after a while (short while, I'll admit!). But this time I intend to stick around.

My exams went pretty well! Thanks for asking. I am indeed furthering my career as player. I was called to the U20 squad and had the immense pleasure of playing the JWC, which was a marvellous experience. A massive step for me as I finally faced top notch opposition. I think I did a good job overall, but "good" does not cut it. I now know in depth what areas of my game I need to improve. I'm moving to NZ soon as I have been contracted by a franchise there, with the intention of being groomed for a future competition. It will be quite hard as said team is full of outstanding players, so getting actual game time is a bit far fetched short term. But my main goal is to embrace the special training NZ has to offer, especially with regards to the individual skills the guys there learn from a very young age.

Yep, my Dad spends several months a year in Clifton. I want to drop by and catch a few Stormers games, or maybe WP games. Love 'em.

Indeed, Los Pumas did not do well at all during the tests. But such an outcome was bound to happen if we analyse the situation. 21 of Argentina's best players were forced to skip the international window, since the contract forces them to have a 4 week vacation prior to undertaking the physical preparations in Pensacola. As a direct result, the players called up were third-stringers, with most of them having experienced Vodacom Cup Rugby as the highest echelon in their Rugby careers. The ones that do play in France were in really poor form, and it showed. On the other hand, the English "rookies" had plenty of Premiership experience, so the difference was bound to be notable. Even then, I think some areas of the game ought to have been better. I am very critic of Phelan's tenure and I feel Los Pumas are horribly undercoached. They could do with a Super Rugby coach (which is exactly what is being pursued right now). Some of the names that are being toyed with are: Graham Henry, Jamie Joseph (highly unlikely due to his poor season with the Highlanders), the Waratahs' Michael Cheika (coached Leinster and Stade Francais, where he became really close to several Argie key players and authorities), and John Kirwan. There are some local names in the mix as well, such as Mario Ledesma, and Gonzalo Quesada.

Thanks guys!

Mike -- I signed with the Chiefs. I kick off my training sessions next Tuesday. The coaches' intention is to have me undergo an intense training period in which they will focus on improving my individual skills, as well as embracing their defensive and offensive patterns. If all goes well, then I will have the chance to be among the 30 players named to take on the 2014 season.

In the last months I made the decision to form myself as a lock forward. Tighthead or loosehead -- I don't care. I believe locks nowadays should be able to unfold an all-round game. I wore #5 to the JWC. The PlAR (Plan de Alto Rendimiento / High Performance Plan) really helped me get fit for professional Rugby.

A couple guys from our U20 squad were added to the Senior squad that is currently training in Pensacola for the Rugby Championship -- Pablo Matera and Matías Díaz. Watch out for Matera. He has all the potential to become a world class openside flanker.

Bluebok -- No worries mate! My real name is Tomas Lavanini.

Wow an actual puma right here! very exciting to hear about your progress. new zealand need the locks and you sound really powerful. i read about you before i never knew we had anyone here from argentina! all the best mate. hope to be seeing you in the rugby championship.

 Cruz thats awesome , what an opportunity - good luck mate ! We're all in your corner.

I am sure you will learn and be exposed to a lot with the Chiefs who seem to be a quality organization. Smart move at a young age. Hope you get plenty of playing time. Give it your best shot, keep your nose clean and good things will happen - you only live once !

Pretty jealous, I must admit :)

Welcome to this forum Ole...such an honour having a budding Puma here. Hopefully  you will get all the good experience in NZ and go back and play for your wonderful country. The Pumas have always had a good relationship with SA rugby...the great Hugo Porta impressed me as a very young man...I rate him as probably one of the best flyhalves ever. Incidentally unknown to most, the Argentinians beat the Springboks in Bloem many years ago...they were not called Pumas but Jaguars (simply because Argentina were not the only participants...Uruguay, Chile and other S American countries were included) although technically in the test at Bloem they were all Argentinians if my memory is correct...so technically it was Argentina. Sadly rugby posts keep mum about this...I think the Jaquars also beat the All Blacks...but because of the difference in name Puma/Jaguar it does not record a win.

Visited your country in my youth...went to Bariloche in the Andes, for the trout fishing in the mid seventies...absolutely stunning beauty and the best beef steaks in the world from the Pampas...Devons, Herefords and Short Horns. BA is a beautiful city with beautiful old colonial styled Spanish buildings. The most gorgeous looking girls in the world.

Wish you the best young man, in NZ...hope to see you soon appearing for the Chiefs.

Ole, Ole Cruz .... you're now my favourite Argie player ! Hey, Argentinians don't mind being called that , do they ? Thought I'd check, apparently Pakistanis don't like their abbrevation .

Good luck amigo !

Thanks for the nice words guys!

Whoever wrote that article -- I owe you some money! Hehe.

Bluebok -- thanks mate. Will make sure to share some of my current and future experiences with you guys. There's always something to learn out there.

oimatey -- Thanks! Indeed the Chiefs are massively organised and from a technical point of view, they work like a Swiss watch. I don't think a single day will go down without me having learnt something from these amazingly talented people.

sebastienchabal -- My dream is to represent Argentina. To contribute to the National team, whaever my role may be. I'd be happy to sweep the floors in the changing room if that helped them. Argentina is such a beautiful place. Bariloche, man! Lovely place. Perfect weather, fresh air... lots of asado, wine, and criollos hojaldrados con manteca! :D

Blobbok -- No worries mate. I refer to myself as an Argie when speaking English. Some people don't like it but that has more to do with the Falklands War than with any sort of personal aggression.

Beeno -- Hehe, you funny man. I've always admired Jake White. Not only is he a technical genius, he has great organisational skills. I love what he did with the Brumbies. Not only did he improve them from a technical and tactical front, but he also made them believe in themselves to carry out their game with vigorous guile and intent.