The worst possible scenario has been confirmed for Los Pumas and Los Tarucas as the Super Rugby Americas (SRA) season is over for fullback Benjamín Elizalde is over after just a matter of minutes of game-time. Elizalde completed a loan move to Los Tarucas from Bristol Bears in search of more opportunities ahead of the July Internationals.
| TARUCAS DEBUT AND INJURY |
Elizalde made his debut for Los Tarucas in the match of the year on Monday against Los Pampas. The fullback entered the match as a replacement and was injured on 52 minutes after gathering a high kick and then running the ball upfield.
Dr. Federico Fanjul of Los Tarucas’ medical staff confirmed that Elizalde suffered ruptured cruciate and external ligaments in his left knee. The injury rules out Elizalde of playing any further part in the SRA 2026 season. Moreover, it delays his debut for the Newcastle Red Bulls in the English Premiership.
Elizalde is the third Tarucas player to be hit by season ending injury due to ligament dame. He follows forwards Nicolás Parada Heit and Benjamín Garrido.
 ARGENTINA INJURED LIST – OUT OF JULY |
Felipe Contepomi will be without multiple front-line players for the July Internationals. The July home series will be matches against Wales, England and Scotland for the inaugural Nations Championship. Planning for these three matches in San Juan, Córdoba and Santiago del Estero will be without Elizalde.
Elizalde is the second fullback to be sidelined. First choice fullback Juan Cruz Mallía was injured playing for Argentina against England in November. A late tackle by Tom Curry saw Mallía forced off. Diagnosis confirmed that González had suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The injury sees him out for the season for his club (Toulouse) and out for Argentina for at least the July Internationals (Nations Championship).
Despite the injury, Mallía was involved in Argentina’s 2026 training camp in London. Pedro Rubiolo was missing from the camp. The second-rower suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing for Bristol Bears in the English Premiership. The Bristol Bears are eyeing Rubiolo to return in September.
Flanker Juan Martín González was involved in the camp in London but will not take to the field for Los Pumas in July. His season for Saracens is over after he suffered a broken foot. His injury required surgery and the recovery period means he will miss out on playing in his home town of Mendoza against Australia on September 05.
Contepomi will also be preparing for the British home series without his first-choice loose head prop. Thomas Gallo underwent surgery in April. He suffered a rupture of his adductor tendon during a Challenge Cup match when playing for Benetton against the Exeter Chiefs.
| ARGENTINA DEPTH – FULLBACK |
Benjamín Elizalde debuted for Argentina in July 2025. He played against England and Uruguay, in his home town of Salta, while also playing against Australia, in Townsville, during the Rugby Championship.
With Mallía injured, Elizalde had been on track to add to his four test caps in July 2026. Rethinking will see opportunities for others. Two existing options are Santiago Carreras and Gerónimo Prisciantelli. Contepomi used both as utility options in 2025 with both men having starts at fly half.
Busy seasons in the English Premiership and Top 14 mean rest time for certain players is the norm in July. Both Carreras and Prisciantelli are cases in point as players who may sit-out some or all of July. Another is first-choice fly half, Tomás Albornoz. However, without Mallía and Elizalde this scenario may well have changed.
Rugby World Cup 2023 roster member, Martín Bogado is another option for fullback. He featured in July 2024 under Contepomi but has not had on-field opportunities for Argentina since then.
The search for options, it seems, will focus on SRA. Players who have played well this season include Tobías Wade, Mateo Soler and Mateo Sánchez.