Tomás Cubelli

Tomás Cubelli (born June 12, 1989) is an Argentine rugby union footballer, who currently plays for Australian Super Rugby franchise Western Force, and the Argentina national team. Cubelli's playing position is Scrum-half.

Tomás Cubelli
Cubelli in 2015
Birth nameTomás Cubelli
Date of birth (1989-06-12) June 12, 1989
Place of birthBuenos Aires, Argentina
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight81 kg (12 st 11 lb; 179 lb)
Notable relative(s)Alejandro Cubelli (Father)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2018 Belgrano 35 (85)
Correct as of March 24, 2018
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2015 Pampas XV 22 (30)
Correct as of August 18, 2015
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2017 Brumbies 18 (15)
2018–2020 Jaguares 20 (15)
2021- Western Force ()
Correct as of July 21, 2018
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008 Argentina U19 3 (0)
2009 Argentina U20 3 (5)
2010–2012 Argentina XV 6 (5)
2010– Argentina 72 (60)
Correct as of 18 September 2019

Rugby career

Early career

Cubelli began his career with Belgrano Athletic Club, a rugby club based in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, the same club his father, Alejandro, played for.[1]

After the introduction of an Argentinian team into South Africa's Vodacom Cup in 2010, Cubelli joined the team that would be eventual champions in 2011. Cubelli played seven games for Pampas XV scoring one try in the process during their undefeated campaign in the 2011 Vodacom Cup. Pampas XV defeated the Blue Bulls 14–9 in the final in the North West province at Olën Park, Potchefstroom.[2] In 2012, Cubelli played all seven of the seven games Pampas XV competed in during the 2012 Vodacom Cup, scoring two tries. In 2013, however, Cubelli scored three tries in only eight games including one in the Quarter-finals against the Pumas. Pampas XV lost 44–37.

Brumbies

In November 2015, after current Brumbies and Australia national team scrum-half Nic White left the club for French Top 14 club Montpellier, the Brumbies, an Australian, Canberra-based Super Rugby franchise, signed Cubelli on a two-year deal as his replacement.[3][4][5]

Cubelli was a significant part of the Brumbies squad during 2016, his first Super Rugby season. And earned high praise from coach Stephen Larkham, who described the Argentinean as the best running scrum-half in Brumbies history.[6] Cubelli made his debut in round 1 of the 2016 season against the Hurricanes, scoring a try and helping the team to a 52–10 victory at GIO Stadium, Canberra.[7] Cubelli's second try of the season came in round 11 against the Bulls of Pretoria. The Brumbies won 23–6 at home.[8] Cubelli scored his third and final try of the 2016 season against Australian Super Rugby conference rivals, the Queensland Reds in round 15 at home once again, and put the scoreline to 34–17 and eventually help the Brumbies to win the match 43–24.[9]

After a very successful debut season in 2016, Cubelli's 2017 season was much less memorable, having only played three matches the entire season in part due to a knee injury he suffered during pre-season.[10] round 16 against the Reds, round 17 against the Chiefs and the Qualifying final against the Hurricanes.[11][12][13]

Jaguares

After being injured during 2017 and not playing many minutes throughout the Brumbies' campaign, Cubelli subsequently left the club for his native Argentina for the following season, signing a contract until the end of 2019.[14][15][16]

Western Force

In October 2020 Cubelli was signed by Australian Super Rugby side Western Force to play in the 2021 Super Rugby AU season and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.[17]

International career
Cubelli playing against New Zealand in Pool C of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

Cubelli made his international debut against Uruguay during the 2010 South American Rugby Championship in Santiago, Chile.

2015 Rugby World Cup
Main article: 2015 Rugby World Cup

Cubelli was a part of the fourth placed Argentina team at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. An important player for Argentina during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he was second choice scrum-half for most of the tournament behind Martín Landajo, however, Cubelli started in three of the seven games for Argentina, against New Zealand, against Georgia in which cubelli scored a try, and one in the third place match against South Africa in which they were defeated 24–13 at the Olympic Stadium, London. Cubelli scored two tries in the Pool stages, but unfortunately he could not help Argentina to a place above third.

Cubelli was a starter for the Argentina national team on 14 November 2020 in their first ever win against the All Blacks.[18]

Super Rugby Statistics
As of July 21, 2018[19]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2016 Brumbies1514198730001510
20173031030000010
2018 Jaguares00000000000
Total181441,09030001520

References
  1. "Tomás Cubelli: Rugby in the blood". World Rugby (Interview). YouTube. October 26, 2016.
  2. "Los Pampas XV, campeones de la Vodacom Cup". La Voz (in Spanish). May 13, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  3. Dutton, Chris (November 13, 2015). "Nic White committed to France as Brumbies sign Tomas Cubelli as his replacement". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  4. "Cubelli, el Puma que eligió jugar el Super Rugby pero para otro equipo". La Voz (in Spanish). November 11, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  5. "Brumbies sign Argentina scrumhalf Cubelli on two-year deal". Reuters. November 13, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  6. "Larkham has no doubt Tomas has the X-factor". The Northern Star. February 26, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  7. Bidwell, Hamish (February 27, 2016). "Hapless Hurricanes taken to the cleaners in Canberra by ACT Brumbies". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  8. Polikinghorne, David (May 7, 2016). "Super Rugby: ACT Brumbies snap losing streak to beat Pretoria Bulls". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  9. "Brumbies get the job done against Reds". SANZAR. July 1, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  10. Dutton, Chris (February 4, 2017). "Tomás Cubelli injures knee in major blow to ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby preparation". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  11. "Super Rugby: Reds grab 16-15 win over Brumbies with last-minute penalty at foggy Lang Park". ABC. July 7, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  12. Coughlan, Matt (July 15, 2017). "Chiefs beat Brumbies to complete 25-0 Kiwi clean sweep against Aussie teams". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  13. "Hurricanes battle past Brumbies to semifinals". Otago Daily Times. July 22, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  14. "Tomás Cubelli se suma a Jaguares". ESPN (in Spanish). July 23, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  15. "Brumbies duo Chris Alcock and Tomas Cubelli sign overseas deals". Fox Sports Australia. August 1, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  16. "Argentina scrum-half Tomas Cubelli to join Los Jaguares from Brumbies". Sky Sports. August 1, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  17. "Force add Argentinian internationals". Western Force. 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  18. "Argentina (16) 25 - 15 (3) New Zealand (FT)". ESPN. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  19. "Player Statistics". It's Rugby. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
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