Juan Imhoff on his ongoing Los Pumas abscence
Juan Imhoff says the constant strain of having to operate in a COVID bubble away from home means he is unlikely to be pulling on the Argentina jersey any time soon and is even debating his availability for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
The wing withdrew from this season's November internationals due to coronavirus restrictions as the Pumas continued their difficult life on the road in the middle of a pandemic. They have played all their games away from home since August 2019 with players living in hotels during Test camps to reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19.
The 33-year-old did not play in this year’s Rugby Championship staged in Australia or the November tests, opting to stay with his club Racing 92 where he has delivered world class play since 2011.
Imhoff told AFP: "For me, the bio-secure bubbles, the hotels, that Argentina are always the away team, that there's no political weight so that we're like the other nations, it's bad for your physical and mental health.
"I would not enjoy rugby at all if I wasn't good. So I came back to basics, to look after myself, my mental and physical health, so I can get back to my best. If Argentina need me I'll be there.
"It's difficult, the results aren't coming. What's worrying, is that we haven't found an identity on the field, it will come because there are players who are very talented, they're a team that work a lot.
"They just have to fine-tune things. There's a lack of coordination, especially with the end of Super Rugby for the Jaguares. It's not one detail why Argentina aren't good right now, there are a lot of things.”
Imhoff has won 33 caps and featured at two Rugby World Cups but does not know if will be with the team in France in 2023 where the Pumas will tackle a pool containing England, Japan and Samoa. "Honestly, I'm not thinking about it. I haven't asked myself the question," he said.
"I need to talk with my family. International rugby is a consequence of everyone's level of performance. It's not you who decides."
There is also the question of where he will be playing next season as his Paris club contract is ending and he added: "It's difficult to talk about that. I don't know anything. I have an incredible affinity with this club. My whole family is linked to this club. It's where I'm at home, I've never thought of leaving. I want the best for the club, it's one of the best in the world.”
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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