Mon 9 Sep 2013 | 02:59
Juan Martin Hernandez one-handed long pass in the rain

9
Comments

Despite having suffered numerous injuries and never quite having reached the consistant form of some years back, Juan Martin Hernandez is a rare talent. Capable of doing just about anything with a rugby ball, here's a look at one of his latest tricks.

Last year, the inaugural year of the Rugby Championship, Argentina stepped up and competed well in their first ever inclusion in a major tournament. Hernandez played his part and against New Zealand we saw him produce a fan favourite clearance kick.

He went for a banana-kick, somehow controlling it to the point that it went out into touch.

On Saturday, deep in his own half and with the rain pelting down, he did something special again. This time is was a one-handed long pass to Juan Manuel Leguizamon. Sure, he could have just passed it in a conventional manner, but then he's not called El Mago (The Magician) for nothing.

After the game he said that his side gained confidence from the narrow defeat to the All Blacks.

"We must continue to learn from them. They're a great team and know how to manage the game," he said. "We need experience and maturity. Hopefully we will grow."

He added that they hope to get good ball and attack more in their upcoming match against Australia, and that they are growing game by game, gaining experience and confidence. He's clearly referring to his team mates, because judging by passes like this, confidence is not an issue.

View All Blacks vs Pumas highlights

9 Comments

  • rugby08
    3:40 PM 13/09/2013

    No he is not

  • reality
    6:20 PM 10/09/2013

    It'd be a bit vulgar as a title, Stroudos, but you do have a point.

  • connachtman
    5:25 PM 10/09/2013

    The new scrum laws will favour Arengtina over time I reckon, traditonally strong technical scrummagers.

  • jimter10
    10:49 AM 10/09/2013

    it's a real shame his career has been set back by injury. still i'm happy with him back and sanchez doing a job for them.

  • rugbydump
    9:13 AM 10/09/2013

    Fair call. Add in the judo roll after losing balance too

  • jimter10
    7:46 AM 10/09/2013

    Yeh it was pretty close, but Hernandez is such a genius, he was probably just having a laugh with Leguizamon

  • welshwizardry
    9:53 PM 09/09/2013

    Abso-fucking-lutely.

  • stroudos
    9:37 PM 09/09/2013

    Beat me to it.

    I actually thought it was a shit pass putting Leguizamon under unnecessary pressure and should have used both hands instead of this one-handed showboating.

    Alternative/better title for the post:
    No8 picks up shit pass off his bootlaces in the rain, smashes excellent touchfinder under intense pressure.

  • cheyanqui
    8:36 PM 09/09/2013

    Pretty solid kick from J.M. Leguizamon too.

    Kicked from between the posts, 5m out, and still managed to get close to the 10m line.

    30-35m gain in ground, kicking from the centre of the field, under pressure, and a backrower...