Diego Ormaechea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diego Ormaechea (born Montevideo, 19 September 1959) is a former Uruguayan rugby union player and a current coach. He played as a number eight. His profession is a racing veterinary.

He's usually considered the greatest Uruguayan rugby player of all times. He played most of his career at Carrasco Polo Club, winning 13 titles of National Champion.

He also helds the national record for Uruguay, with 66 matches played and 14 tries, during 20 years, from 1979 to 1999.

Ormaechea, aged 40 years old, was also the oldest player ever at the Rugby World Cup finals, in 1999, being the capitan in his country first ever presence at the event. He scored a try in the 27-15 win over Spain.

He left rugby for a year, but latter returned for a final season at Carrasco Polo Club, before putting an end to his long career, in 2001, aged 41.

Ormaechea was the coach of the Uruguay national team that qualified and played at the 2003 Rugby World Cup finals. He managed to win again a game, at the 24-12 defeat of Georgia.