Tarucas (rugby union)

Tarucas
Full nameLos Tarucas
Founded2024 (2024)
LocationTucumán Province, Argentina
Ground(s)Estadio Héctor Cabrera, Tucumán, Argentina (Capacity: 10,000 [1])
CoachÁlvaro Galindo
CaptainMatías Orlando
LeagueSuper Rugby Americas
20255th
Playoffs: DNQ
1st kit
2nd kit

Tarucas is a professional rugby union team based in Tucumán Province, Argentina. The team was founded in 2024 as the third Argentine team to compete in the Super Rugby Americas competition.[2][3]

Beginnings

The side was founded in October 2024 ahead of beginning competition in the 2025 season as the third Argentine province after Pampas XV (representing then Buenos Aires region) and Dogos XV (representing the Córdoba region).[2] The side was created to represent the Tucumán Province in the northwest of Argentina.[4] On 12 October 2024, it was confirmed that former Argentine international Álvaro Galindo would coach the side.[5] Their first roster was announced in December 2024, and included Puma international Diego Fortuny.[6] In their first season they finished in 5th place, missing out on the playoffs, beating Yacare XV in the final game to secure 5th place.[7]

Taroucas brings the heritage of Campeonato Argentino team, which won the Championship 11 times, the last in 2014.[8]

Stadium

The Tarucas play their matches at Estadio Héctor Gallo Cabrera, home venue of Tucumán Lawn Tennis Club. It is located in Parque 9 de Julio in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.[9]

Current squad

The Tarucas squad for the 2026 Super Rugby Americas season is:[10]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
José Calderoni Hooker Argentina
Raúl Guraib Hooker Argentina
Joaquín Police Hooker Argentina
Juan Manuel Vivas Hooker Argentina
Lorenzo Egea Prop Argentina
Benjamín Farías Prop Argentina
Benjamín Garrido Prop Argentina
Ignacio Lazarte Prop Argentina
Francisco Moreno Prop Argentina
Mariano Muntaner Prop Argentina
Rodrigo Navarro Prop Argentina
Francisco Palazzi Prop Argentina
Luciano Asevedo Lock Argentina
Franco Marini Lock Argentina
Ignacio Marquieguez Lock Argentina
Nicolás Parada Heit Lock Argentina
Matías Salmoiraghi Lock Argentina
Joaquín Aguilar Back row Argentina
Facundo Cardozo Back row Argentina
Tomás Dande Back row Argentina
Facundo García Hamilton Back row Argentina
Lucas Guc Back row Argentina
Miguel Mukdise Back row Argentina
Agustín Sarelli Back row Argentina
Thiago Sbrocco Back row Argentina
Player Position Union
Estanislao Pregot Scrum-half Argentina
Santiago Saleme Scrum-half Argentina
Matías Sauze Scrum-half Argentina
Ignacio Cerrutti Fly-half Argentina
Máximo Ledesma Fly-half Argentina
Simón Pfister Fly-half Argentina
Pedro Coll Centre Argentina
Bautista Estofán Centre Argentina
Stefano Ferro Centre Argentina
Mateo Macome Centre Argentina
Matías Orlando (c) Centre Argentina
Tomás Elizalde Wing Argentina
Rafael O’Gorman Wing Argentina
Mateo Pasquini Wing Argentina
Juan Pablo Pfister Wing Argentina
Tomás Vanni Wing Argentina
Mateo Estofán Fullback Argentina
Nicolás Macome Fullback Argentina
  • Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
  • * denotes players qualified to play for Argentina on dual nationality or residency grounds.

References

  1. ^ Súper Rugby Américas: los estadios de todos los equipos on espn.com.ar. 12 Feb 2025
  2. ^ a b "Tarucas are Argentina's 3rd Super Rugby Americas Franchise". Americas Rugby News. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Tarucas". Super Rugby Americas. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Super Rugby Americas adds a new franchise starting in 2025". Ultimate Rugby. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Álvaro Galindo to coach Tarucas in Super Rugby America 2025". Americas Rugby News. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Powerful Tarucas Roster Named for Rookie Super Rugby Americas Season". Americas Rugby News. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  7. ^ "SRA 2025 Final Round – Tarucas vs Yacare – ARN Guide". Americas Rugby News. 30 May 2025. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  8. ^ https://www.urtuc.com.ar/pagina/30/historia
  9. ^ "This small city in Northwestern Argentina just had the best start to Super Rugby Americas". Rugby Pass. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Tarucas Roster for Super Rugby Americas 2026". Americas Rugby News. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 27 December 2025.