Hourcade wants Argentina to build on 2015

Editor

Daniel Hourcade says Argentina must manage their transition better than 2007 after losing a number of key players following the 2015 tournament.

Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe was the biggest name to retire, but the likes of Horacio Agulla, Marcos Ayerza and Marcelo Bosch are expected to follow suit after staying in Europe rather than returning to the Argentine Super Rugby franchise.

The Pumas finished the tournament fourth after a loss in the third place play-off against South Africa, but Hourcade believes they are well-placed to build with a number of young players shining during the tournament.

That was not the case after 2007, when they finished seventh but struggled to cope with the retirements of the likes of Agustín Pichot, however this time they are much more prepared according to the Pumas coach.

"The players who leave us have been great but we have been preparing for this," said Hourcade. 

"We have been anticipating this and one of our goals was to have a legacy. In 2007 many players retired and there was a long transition. 

"This should not happen again. Some of the big players are retiring but we have the structure in place and the continuity is there.

"Many of the players have already been contracted by the UAR (for Super Rugby). 24 or 25 of the players, so the vast majority will be there. 

"Some of the other players back in Argentina will also be part of it. In regards to the coach there will be an announcement next week, but I will not be the coach of the Super Rugby team.

"We are very happy with the result in this tournament. We are a little bit sad because we wanted everything. But we've done very along the whole of the World Cup."