An ex-Puma will enter the World Rugby Hall of Fame

A few days before Los Pumas play the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup, it has been confirmed that Argentine Juan Martín Hernández will enter the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

Days later The Pumas play the quarterfinals of Rugby World Cupthe Argentinian Juan Martín Hernández will enter the World Rugby Hall of Fame (WR) is the 165th former player to achieve that feat, as announced by world rugby’s highest body on Tuesday. Along with the Argentine, the New Zealander will be added to the Hall of Fame Daniel Carterthe Australian George Smiththe French Thierry Dusautoir and the south africa Bryan Havanato be included in the Hall at the World Rugby Awards celebration in Paris, France, next October 29.

When justifying the entry of the former Deportiva Francesa player to URBA and wearing the jersey of Los Pumas and Jaguares, the organization said: “Hernández is a once-in-a-generation player with a brilliant skill set that makes it look like he plays effortlessly”.

Hernández, 41, nicknamed “El Mago,” he starred at Los Pumas for an extraordinary period of 14 years, since his debut in an impressive 144-0 win over Paraguay. Able to make a big impact in a variety of positions, Hernández began his test career as a fullback and played most of his first matches with the number 15 on his back.

however, When he switched to the fly-half position on the eve of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Hernández began to attract everyone’s attention.. The former player of Stade Francais, Racing Metro and Toulon of France and Sharks of South Africa, had a noticeable influence in controlling the game and his ability shone in the French competition.

With Hernández as the support point of the 9-10-12 axis involving Agustín Pichot and Felipe Contepomi, Argentina shocked France in the World Cup organized by the Gauls in 2007 defeating him in the inaugural match and the fight for third place.

His handwork and lightness on his feet was a constant fact throughout the tournament and he earned a World Rugby Player of the Year nomination. An injury deprived Hernández of the opportunity to play in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but he appeared in his third tournament in England in 2015, mainly as a centre, where Argentina is fourth behind New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

The Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to rugby throughout their careers, while demonstrating the values ​​of integrity, passion, unity, discipline and respect that make up the character of rugby. And, no doubt, Hernández deserves it.

Picture: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images.