Tomás Maria Cubelli (born 12 June 1989) is an Argentine professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Major League Rugby club Miami Sharks and the Argentina national team.
 Cubelli during a private outing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Tomás Maria Cubelli | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 12 June 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 79 kg (174 lb; 12 st 6 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club career
editCubelli began his career with Belgrano Athletic Club, a rugby club based in Belgrano, Buenos Aires, the same club his father, Alejandro, played for.[2]
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.[3] 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.
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.[4][5][6]
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.[7] 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.[8] Cubelli's second try of the season came in round 11 against the Bulls of Pretoria. The Brumbies won 23–6 at home.[9] 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.[10]
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.[11] round 16 against the Reds, round 17 against the Chiefs and the Qualifying final against the Hurricanes.[12][13][14]
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.[15][16][17]
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.[18]
International career
edit
Cubelli made his international debut against Uruguay during the 2010 South American Rugby Championship in Santiago, Chile.
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.[citation needed]
Cubelli was a starter for the Argentina national team on 14 November 2020 in their first ever win against the All Blacks.[19]
Career statistics
editClub summary
edit- As of July 21, 2018[20]
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Sub | Mins | Tries | Cons | Pens | Drops | Points | Yel | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Brumbies | 15 | 14 | 1 | 987 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 103 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2018 | Jaguares | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 18 | 14 | 4 | 1,090 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 | 0 | |
References
edit- ^ https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/teams/argentina/player/36719 [bare URL]
- ^ "Tomás Cubelli: Rugby in the blood". World Rugby (Interview). YouTube. 26 October 2016.
- ^ "Los Pampas XV, campeones de la Vodacom Cup". La Voz (in Spanish). 13 May 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Dutton, Chris (13 November 2015). "Nic White committed to France as Brumbies sign Tomas Cubelli as his replacement". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Cubelli, el Puma que eligió jugar el Super Rugby pero para otro equipo". La Voz (in Spanish). 11 November 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Brumbies sign Argentina scrumhalf Cubelli on two-year deal". Reuters. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Larkham has no doubt Tomas has the X-factor". The Northern Star. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Bidwell, Hamish (27 February 2016). "Hapless Hurricanes taken to the cleaners in Canberra by ACT Brumbies". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Polikinghorne, David (7 May 2016). "Super Rugby: ACT Brumbies snap losing streak to beat Pretoria Bulls". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Brumbies get the job done against Reds". SANZAR. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Dutton, Chris (4 February 2017). "Tomás Cubelli injures knee in major blow to ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby preparation". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Super Rugby: Reds grab 16-15 win over Brumbies with last-minute penalty at foggy Lang Park". ABC. 7 July 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Coughlan, Matt (15 July 2017). "Chiefs beat Brumbies to complete 25-0 Kiwi clean sweep against Aussie teams". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Hurricanes battle past Brumbies to semifinals". Otago Daily Times. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Tomás Cubelli se suma a Jaguares". ESPN (in Spanish). 23 July 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Brumbies duo Chris Alcock and Tomas Cubelli sign overseas deals". Fox Sports Australia. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Argentina scrum-half Tomas Cubelli to join Los Jaguares from Brumbies". Sky Sports. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Force add Argentinian internationals". Western Force. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
- ^ "Argentina (16) 25 - 15 (3) New Zealand (FT)". ESPN. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ "Player Statistics". It's Rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
External links
edit- Tomás Cubelli at ESPNscrum
- Tomás Cubelli at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Los Pumas – Profile
