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Western Force sign three Pumas ahead of 2021 season
By Ian Cameron
Australia’s Western Force have swooped to sign three Pumas ahead of the 2021 season – Argentina internationals Tomás Lezana, Santiago Medrano and Domingo Miotti will join the side who have already made waves with the signing of former Ireland fullback Rob Kearney.
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Flanker Lezana has signed a two-year deal. Capped 39-times for Argentina, Lezana said: “The Force has a great balance of local talent and world-class signings, so to be able to learn and work alongside this group of players and coaches is fantastic.”
24-year-old tighthead prop Medrano has also signed a two-year deal and has clocked up 21 caps for Los Pumas to date. Both forwards were involved in the Pumas historic win over the All Blacks at Bankwest Stadium in November.
Meanwhile, Miotti has signed one year deal. The playmaker was a rising star of the Jaguares and will be looking to make his name at the Force.
Head Coach Tim Sampson said of the trio of signings: “The club is delighted to have Santiago, Tomás and Domingo join us after their commitments with the national team have wound up,” Sampson said.
“All three players were in the matchday squad versus the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Grand Final in 2019, so they bring important experience at Super Rugby level to the squad.
“We’re looking forward to seeing them in Perth.”
It’s quite a roster of talent that the Force are building.
In October, the Australia side re-signed former All Blacks duo Richard Kahui and Jeremy Thrush for the 2021 Super Rugby AU season. Kahui won the World Cup with New Zealand in 2011 and scored ten tries in his 17 appearances for the All Blacks while 35-year-old lock Thrush won a dozen caps and scored twice in his international career.
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The Force had been playing in the Global Rapid Rugby series after being axed from Super Rugby, but the pandemic has meant that the new Super Rugby AU comp has given them a route back into the forefront of Aussie rugby.
