Chile’s rugby team faces a major injury crisis ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, with key players Sigren, Torrealba, and Baguley suffering ACL injuries. Coach Pablo Lemoine’s July roster preparation is affected, particularly for the crucial matches against Brazil. The team is also missing center Domingo Saavedra while hoping Matías Garafulic returns in time.
Chile’s rugby squad is currently grappling with a significant injury crisis as the Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifiers approach. Over the weekend, in a match against Los Tarucas in Super Rugby Americas, three players from the Selknam team learned they had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in their left knees. Martín Sigren, Marcelo Torrealba, and Tomás Baguley are all facing surgery and, given the nature of these injuries, it appears unlikely they will be ready for the upcoming international matches under coach Pablo Lemoine.
These injuries come at a critical time. Lemoine is busy preparing a squad for the July test against Romania, as well as the qualifiers against Brazil. Chile will face Brazil away on July 19, followed by a home match on the 26th. The aggregate winner of this duel will then move on to challenge either Uruguay or Paraguay to decide who earns a spot in Australia for the 2027 World Cup.
Martín Sigren, who serves as captain for the Chilean side, has been a key player for Los Cóndores. He recently led the team during their inaugural Rugby World Cup appearance in France earlier this year and has accumulated 38 test caps. Teammate Marcelo Torrealba, a seasoned player with 22 caps, also adds depth to the roster. Meanwhile, rookie Tomás Baguley, although uncapped, had begun making strides in Super Rugby Americas before his injury.
In addition to these three, the team is contending with a further setback. Starting center Domingo Saavedra is sidelined with a right knee cruciate ligament injury sustained in March. With Saavedra out for the season, his return date remains uncertain. However, fellow center Matías Garafulic is reportedly on track to regain full fitness in time for the international fixtures, which provides some hope for the depleted roster, albeit still a challenging situation for Chile.
The injury crisis within the Chilean rugby team poses serious challenges as key players prepare for the Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. With three players—Martin Sigren, Marcelo Torrealba, and Tomás Baguley—set to undergo surgeries, the team faces a considerable setback. Additionally, injuries to other players like Domingo Saavedra complicate the situation further. Nevertheless, hopes rest on Matías Garafulic returning to the lineup just in time for the crucial matches against Brazil.
Original Source: www.americasrugbynews.com
