The 2024 Torneo Nacional de Clubes (named "Nacional de Clubes Copa Zurich" for sponsorship reasons) was the 27th. edition of Nacional de Clubes, a rugby union competition in Argentina organised by the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR). The final was held in Estadio del San Isidro Club in the Boulogne Sur Mer district of San Isidro Partido on 18 November 2023.
Just as it has been every year since 2022,La vuelta del Nacional De Clubes at uar.com.ar, 14 Nov 2022 the competition is contested by two teams (champions of URBA Top 12 and Torneo del Interior), which play a single superfinal match.«Nacional de Clubes: SIC vs. Universitario, de Tucumán, una superfinal entre el campeón de Buenos Aires y el del resto del país para consagrar al mejor de la Argentina» at La Nación. 18 Nov 2023
The match was contested by San Isidro Club (mostly known for its acronym "SIC", champion of 2023 URBA Top 12), which contested their 5th. final, and Universitario Rugby Club de Tucumán (champion of 2023 Torneo del Interior), finalists for their first time.Todas las finales y campeones del Nacional de Clubes at ESPN Costa Rica. 14 Nov 2023
SIC won the match 25–18, therefore the club from Boulogne achieved their 5th. national championship.¡Campeón absoluto! El SIC venció por 25-18 a Universitario de Tucumán y se quedó con el Nacional de Clubes 2023 at larepublica.pe. 18 Nov 2023El SIC recuperó el cetro del mejor del país at URBA¡SIC venció 25-18 a Universitario de Tucumán en la final y es el campeón Nacional! at espn.com.ar
Qualified teams Team Qualification Union Previous final app. SIC 2023 URBA Top 12 champion URBA 1993, 1994, 2006, 2008 Universitario (T) 2023 Torneo del Interior champion URT (none) Note
Background SIC qualified as URBA champions after defeating Alumni 15–12 in the 203 URBA Top 12 finalSIC derrotó a Alumni en la final y se consagró campeón del torneo de la URBA at infobae.com
On the other hand, Universitario de Tucumán qualified as champions of Torneo del Interior, where they defeated Córdoba Athletic Club 25–21 in the final, being their first regional title.Universitario de Tucumán superó 25-21 a Córdoba Athletic y es campeón del Torneo del Interior A at espndeportes.com Universitario has finished 4th in the 2023 Torneo del Noroeste earning their place in the Interior championship.Fixture del Súper 10 del Regional del NOA 2023 at norterugby.com
It was the fifth final contested by SIC, which had won all of them (their rivals had been Tucumán R.C., La Tablada, Tala, and La Plata)Todas las finales y campeones del Nacional de Clubes at espn.cl, 14 Nov 2023
Universitario played their first final so they have never won the Interior Tournament before.monarca.html Se define quién será el nuevo monarca nacional at norterugby.com. 17 Nov 2023
Match As expected, the Buenos Aires team had to fight to be able to carry out a complicated match against a rival that never gave up and who was encouraged to play and look for it throughout the 80 minutes. The first stage was marked by the rhythm and intensity that both teams showed, something that was seen from the beginning with Jacinto Campbell's electrifying run from midfield and passing through the visiting defense to score the first try in just 2 minutes. Universitario's response was immediate and came through Agustín López Ríos, the scrum half, who quickly got up from a ruck and scored. But again the local backs made the difference and, after a good combination from midfield, Marcos Borghi scored again. With a penalty in time by Joaquín Lamas, it was 15–5 in favor of SIC going into the break.
In the second half, the Serpents had a better start, dominating the game and marking time in the first minutes, even having some approaches by Lisandro Ahualli. Nevertheless, it was SIC that increased the score after a counter-attack led by Lamas. Nevertheless, Universitario did not resign and found a quick response from Martín Pintado, who at 41 years old made his entry from the substitute bench and had an immediate impact to close the gap again. At 55', it was 22–12 for the team from Boulogne.
From there, Universitario grew and approached their rival's goal. With two penalties from Marcos Villagra the score left 22–18. But SIC players' temperance made the difference again ensuring what would be the final 25–18 score to help the Zanjeros to win a national championship after 15 years, achieving their 5th. Nacional de Clubes title.Nacional de Clubes: SIC venció a Universitario, de Tucumán, y cerró un año redondo by Nicolás Casanova on La Nación. 18 Nov 2023
Summarising, it was a very even game, with both teams attacking rather defending. There were less kicks than in the final that SIC had won to Alumni some days before. SIC could have increased the score in the first half, but they missed several chances. On the other hand, Universitario pushed their rival until the end, keeping the game result urcentain until the last whistle.
Details
FB 15 Francisco González Capdevilla RW 14 Jacinto Campbell OC 21 Carlos Pirán IC 12 Santos Rubio LW 11 Bernabé López Fleming FH 10 Joaquín Lamas SH 9 Juan Soares Gache N8 8 Tomás Meyrelles (c) OF 7 Alejandro Daireaux BF 6 Andrea Panzarini RL 5 Bautista Viero LL 4 Marcos Borghi TP 3 Benjamín Chiappe HK 2 Ignacio Bottazzini LP 1 Marcos Piccinini Substitutions: 18 Juan Pedro Olcese 19 Pedro Georgalos 20 Ciro Plorutti 16 Ricardo Macchiavelo Coaches: Eduardo Victorica Federico Serra
FB 15 Marcos Villagra RW 14 Pablo Garretón OC 13 Tomás Vanni IC 12 Álvaro Ferreyra LW 11 Nicolás Brandán FH 10 Luciano Valdez SH 9 Agustín López Ríos N8 8 Lisandro Ahualli OF 7 Bruno Sbrocco BF 6 Tomás Del Pero RL 5 Enzo Brandán LL 19 Nicolás Gentile (c) TP 3 Francisco Moreno HK 2 Luciano Nobau LP 1 Facundo Torres Substitutions: 16 Franco Gómez Vallejo 20 Thiago Sbrocco 4 Jorge Herrera 23 Facundo Juárez 20 Martín Pintado 17 Joaquín Juárez 21 Ramiro Ferreyra Coaches: Rodrigo Honorato Patricio Figueroa
References