The international flight of the Condors: Chilean rugby expands its borders

“We expected it, maybe not so much, but we expected a migration “. This is how Pablo Lemoine, head coach of Cóndores, is clear about the massive departure of Chilean players abroad, after the World Cup in France 2023. A turning point which increases the friction of the selected teams, but which transforms also Selknam, the Chilean franchise. which plays in Super Rugby Americas and has seen more than a dozen squad changes this year: nine of them to players who have decided to leave South America and try their luck in other markets .

“There are a lot of players who were already showing a very good level before the World Cup, so when we generate that and you show it in the major showcase, it can end up being an enhancer to send you elsewhere. We are happy , because we have strategic positions in very important clubs, so that motivates us a lot,” adds Lemoine to La Tercera in a conversation where the Uruguayan explains, justifies and details the massive migration of recent months.

Concretely, for this new season, there is three Chileans who emigrated to the United States, two to Italy, two to Spain, one to Portugal, another to Romania and another to France . A second player will also arrive in the French country, but after finishing the current continental campaign with Selknam, who lost 41-19 to Pampas yesterday.

In this country of 50 states, the elected officials were Martín Sigren, Santiago Videla and Augusto Böhme. The last two are key elements of Selknam 2023, while the first was already competing abroad, precisely in Duncaster, in the second division of England.

Regarding the arrival of the Cóndores captain at the New England Free Jacks (current champions of the American League), Lemoine is categorical: “That we can get him back in the July window and stay with us is very important on the part of the leadership by Martin. Last year it was difficult for us when he left, so now it will be the key,” he emphasizes.

In the case of Videla, the Uruguayan also appears very calm, mainly because he will be under the management of the Argentinian José Pellicena, while due to the departure of Böhme he highlights a key problem: “He has us proposed what the objectives were. and we found it super useful and coherent.

Diego Escobar’s pre-contract with Racing 92, one of the most important teams on the planet, was an important step for Chilean rugby. Even if his arrival in France will take place in July 2024, expectations are high to see the Chilean hooker in the team of Siya Kolisi, captain of South Africa.

A signing that began to be explored during the European tours carried out by Cóndores, but which was finalized thanks to the great performance of the 23-year-old rugby player during the World Cup. He will then just have to go on a trial period to the north of Paris to land a three-year contract, which will allow him to immerse himself at the highest level for Australia 2027.

For Lemoine, it is a source of pride, but also, in certain respects, a surprise. He answers honestly when asked if he imagined that four years after arriving in the country, a national player would sign for a club of this level. “I would say no to the Top 14 (French first division). I thought a Pro 2 (second division) team was going to use this potential that exists in the Chilean national team, but it was all a process. Also We met some coaches who had faced him before with Leinster and later saw him in the World Cup, so it all went well. . He has a responsibility to continue to open doors for other Chilean rugby players and show by example that he is going to make the most of this opportunity. For Diego to achieve this, there is a lot of work done by many people behind him and his colleagues, who allowed him this showcase,” he emphasizes.

The French country will have even more national presence, since Escobar will not be the only one playing in France. In fact, five other players are on Cóndores’ radar and play in the country’s two main divisions: Matías Dittus, Iñaki Ayarza, Juan Noriega, Lucas Berti and Bruno Sáez.

European rugby has set its sights on Chile. After the appearance of the Cóndors at the World Cup, many important names emigrated to the Old Continent, which has always been closely followed by the national staff: “The players strategically went where we wanted. We also have players who have decided not to leave, because they really like the Selknam project. and they knew it was better than the offers they had. This is very valuable, because it says a lot about what we offer,” he mentions.

Of the players currently being considered for the Cóndores, six others are spread across Europe. Rodrigo Yoyo Fernández and Vitorrio Lastra signed for Italian teams , while Lucas Bordigoni and Joaquín Milesi arrived in Spain. Pablo Casas, for his part, also left Selknam and began his career in Romanian rugby.

Nicolás Herreros is another of the nationals who signed for the Old Continent, although his story is a little different from that of his teammates. The scrum half had already made a long trip to Europe, which he interrupted exclusively in 2023 to be part of Selknam and get closer to the bulk of Chilean players, ahead of the World Cup. He is now returning, but to Portugal, where he will play for Agronomía Rugby.