As Argentina methodically dismantled France in front of a packed, partisan crowd at the Stade de France last weekend, I couldn’t help thinking that I had seen this somewhere before. As Argentine inside centre, Juan Martin Hernandez, discretely dropped back into the pocket to prime himself for his team’s 2nd drop goal, I was taken back to the 2007 World Cup when the opening match of the tournament went down in the same fashion between these same two teams at the same venue.
That day the French were diabolical and erratic clearly feeling the pressure of an expectant rugby-mad public, and, inevitably, bowed to a passionate and organized Argentina team that would go on to claim 3rd position at the game’s showpiece event. Argentina had arrived with a thunderous bang on the world stage as had their mercurial and talented 25 year old flyhalf, Hernandez.
Admittedly, at that stage, I didn’t know much about Hernandez’ career, but my subsequent foray into his past exploits and accolades revealed that the man was every bit worthy of all the praise coming his way. He enjoyed domestic success with former club, Stade Francais, winning the Top 14 in 2004 and was a runner up in the then Heineken Cup with the same club a season later.
Suddenly, the new kid on the block was being mentioned in the same breath as the premier flyhalves of his generation – Carter, Giteau, Wilkinson et al. With the sporting stock he hails from – his sister a multiple Olympic Games medallist with the national hockey side and his uncle who played alongside the legendary Diego Maradona at the 1982 FIFA Football World Cup – it was unsurprising to discover the extent and depths of Hernandez’ outrageous talents. For further proof, check out this YouTube video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_wsF5VGGtg)
A lot has happened in the last 7 years. Argentina have struggled to stay with the chasing pack and now find themselves at the bottom end of the top 10 in the world rankings, while injuries have blighted Hernandez’ career and robbed him of consistently showcasing his dazzling array of skills and abilities.
However, it was a case of Deja vu last Saturday night as he confidently dismantled the French on their home turf and helped his country to a much deserved and long overdue victory. Only this time it was from inside centre.
While it definitely has helped that he hasn’t been beset with injuries as he was on previous occasions – last year he missed the entire end of year tour due to a spate of aggravated leg injuries – his move to inside centre has proved to be one of the master strokes by his coach, Daniel Hourcade, who this year has been charged with reversing the nation’s on-field fortunes. One of Hourcade’s other pivotal changes has been making Nicholas Sanchez his regular flyhalf.
The influence of Sanchez cannot be stated enough, with this already being evident during the Rugby Championship when Argentina ran South Africa close both home and away and finally broke their tournament duck by beating Australia 21-17 in Mendoza. Sanchez has a calm influence and while he doesn’t possess the flashy abilities of ‘El Mago’ – Hernandez’ popular moniker translated to mean ‘the magician’- what he does do well is marshal his backline and bring the very best out of them. Think about their young super stars – Joaquin Tuculet and Manuel Montero – they have had the ability to shine because Sanchez has been superb at taking the right options, whether it is a kick for them to chase or a cut out pass that frees space up for them to take the ball to the line.
During this end of year tour where Argentina won 2 out of 3 of their matches, it was the yin and yang dynamic between Sanchez and Hernandez that epitomised the direction in which Hourcade was steering Los Pumas. And it’s very obvious that the veteran ‘El Mago’ is thriving in the company of his younger flyhalf compatriot. While Sanchez steadies the ship and provides direction to his troops, Hernandez can pull out his myriad of dazzling tricks and create those moments of magic that remind me exactly why he was nominated as one of the world rugby players of the year in 2007.
Argentina has had a better season this year and it is no surprise that Hernandez has, too. There is a long time between now and the 2015 World Cup, but if Hernandez can stay fit I would bet money that his combination with the quietly determined Sanchez leads to Argentina producing another world cup showing that had the rugby world sit up and take notice in 2007.
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