Stock Watch for Argentina Players in the 2014 Rugby Championship
A record achievement in this year's Rugby Championship has set Argentina on course for bigger and better things, and the Pumas now have new, brighter horizons in sight.
Daniel Hourcade led his team to their first-ever win in the competition at the last hurdle of the 2014 tournament and many members of the squad have boosted their own worth as a result.
We take a look at several individuals within the Argentinian ranks, and in the build-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, some look a more enticing stock worth purchasing than others.
1. Nicolas Sanchez: Potential Money-Maker
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The highest points scorer in the 2014 Rugby Championship (52), Nicolas Sanchez, comes out of the competition with a new renown after starting all six of Argentina's Tests and performing admirably under such pressured circumstances.
And one can trust the role is no easy one to play; the back-row ranks of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia are no slouches in pouring pressure on their opposing fly-halves, making Sanchez's displays all the more credible.
From 28 attempted kicks from the tee, Hourcade's head playmaker slotted 19, by no means the most prolific rate of any world No. 10, but the Pumas had to take chances from difficult positions, giving Sanchez somewhat more credibility.
Despite the 33-31 loss to South Africa in Round 2, Sanchez was deservedly given Man of the Match honours after showing his running capacity and figuring as one of Argentina's main launchpads in attack.
If nothing else, Sanchez, now a medical joker at Toulon, further proved his capacity to be Argentina's steadfast man in the No. 10 jersey, and with that growing confidence, the 25-year-old should only improve as time wears on.
2. Agustin Creevy: Sound Investment
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Agustin Creevy was something of a shock candidate to be named Pumas captain for this year's tournament, but Hourcade's judgement was shown to be superbly placed in the hands of the Worcester Warrior.
The hooker will inevitably be remembered as the man leading the South Americans during their 21-17 win over Australia, and it's just reward considering the lead-by-example method he showed throughout the previous five matches.
Respectful and dignified in the role, Creevy should retain captaincy honours for future fixtures and is a stock that's set to rise as he nears the age of 30, well-timed as far as next year's Rugby World Cup is concerned.
In six games, Creevy made 49 successful tackles and missed just three, including a match-high of 16 in the 32-25 loss to the Wallabies, commendable figures for one in his position.
3. Manuel Montero: Buy in Bulk
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The rugby community is currently raving about Manuel Montero in a capacity not too dissimilar to the hysteria that Julian Savea once inspired and, indeed, still does to this day.
With 14 tries in 13 starts for the Pumas, prolific is an apt description of how the winger goes about his business, and as his defensive and more technical areas rise to match his physical feats, he has the potential to become a monstrous figure on the flanks.
Montero dotted down for two tries in this year's contest, neither of which came particularly easily against South Africa and Australia, especially considering the Pumas' struggle to get the ball wide at times.
At 22, the Adrogue native has the means to go on and become the star staple of his national team for some years to come, but he requires equally promising stars lining up inside him, too.
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4. Juan Martin Hernandez: Cash in While It's High
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One might wonder as to why we're selling off Juan Martin Hernandez's stock on the back of arguably his most heavily involved tournament for years, during which he started five of the six games at inside centre.
Many will have been pleased to see "El Mago" regain such prominence on the international scene, but his injury past makes him a risky purchase at the best of times, and interest in his services is at a considerable high right now.
At 32 years of age, Hernandez has a countdown on his head in terms of how much of his best he can still offer, and next year's Rugby World Cup stands to be his last chance to show the global masses what they've missed for stretches over the years.
Nevertheless, it was pleasing to see Hernandez achieve such consistency throughout the Rugby Championship, where he did a fine job of pulling Puma strings, but this could be the highest his star rises.
5. Juan Fernandez Lobbe: Steady Riser
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Providing a similarly reliable frame to the one Kieran Read patrols within the New Zealand squad, Juan Fernandez Lobbe did his very best to lift Argentina once again this year.
It's heartbreaking that family commitments back in Toulon meant the back-rower missed the historic win over the Wallabies, but such is his influence on the squad, one can most certainly bet he was there in spirit.
At his best, the 32-year-old can duke it out with the finest in the world at his position, and even without the captaincy, his work rate in all aspects was evident, be it attack, defence or just general ruffling of enemy feathers.
As long as he's fit, Lobbe continues to play a key role in Hourcade's side, never letting standards slip, irrespective of the opposition in front of him.
All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.
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