Gonzalo Bertranou will be a unique figure in Welsh regional rugby this season having just beaten both Australia and New Zealand in the space of two weeks.
The Dragons scrum-half has been a key figure in the eye-catching back-to-back victories for Argentina, who now top the Rugby Championship table. Starting both matches, he has brought real tactical control with his kicking game and astute service, while also showing up prominently in defence.
He was particularly impressive as the Pumas won 25-18 in Christchurch to claim their first ever win over New Zealand on Kiwi soil. That follows on from his fine displays against Scotland last month when he scored two tries and was named man of the match in the series opener.
Read more: New Zealand beaten by Argentina at home as historic defeat rocks All Blacks
With more than 40 caps to his name, the 28-year-old is now an experienced campaigner on the international stage and playing the best rugby of his life according to people who have followed his career closely.
Having previously been a regular for the Jaguares Super Rugby team, he joined the Dragons in February 2021 on a short-term deal to run to the end of the season, before being handed a permanent contract. He has made 24 appearances for the men of Gwent to date, primarily contesting the scrum-half berth with Welsh international Rhodri Williams. He will be heading back to Rodney Parade in October once the Rugby Championship is concluded.
WalesOnline has spoken to two journalists who cover Argentine rugby to get their assessment on how Bertranou has been playing this summer.
Paul Tait, of americasrugbynews.com, said: “He looks to me to be in the best form of his life. He’s now the starting No. 9. He was behind Tomás Cubelli and Gonzalo García previously. Not now.
“He is organising the defence well and barking orders clearly. Offensively, he is showing sharp passing and kicking, as well as good decision-making. He was criticized for not being a line-breaker, but he scored tries from rucks versus Scotland.”
Argentine rugby journalist Eugenio Astesiano added his thoughts, saying: “Bertranou is one of the most professional players in the whole sense of the word. He is quiet off the field and never in the spotlight, but he shines and speaks when he plays.
“He never loses his head and never loses control when things are not going so good, during the match or when he’s out of the 23. He always keeps focused, he understands his role and he has improved a lot, showing maximum capacity on the ball and in defence during his time on the pitch.
“He has shown excellent displays this summer as a distributor and the one that imposes the pace of the game. He’s good as a finisher coming from the bench, better as a starter.
“He is very comfortable at the Dragons and it would be ideal for them and for him to get more minutes in the next URC. He has earned it against the best.”
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