Juan Martín Hernández

Juan Martín Hernández

Personal information
Full name	Juan Martín Hernández
Nickname	El Mago (The Magician) The Maradona of Rugby
Born	(1982-08-07) 7 August 1982 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	93 kg (14 st 9 lb)
Relatives	Patricio Hernández (uncle) María de la Paz "Maripi" Hernández (sister)
Club information
Playing position	Fly-Half / Fullback
Current club	Racing Métro
Amateur team(s)
	Deportiva Francesa		()
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Pts)†
2003–09	Stade Français	97	(504)
2009	Natal Sharks	9	(60)
2010–	Racing Métro	58	(115)
Representative team(s)‡
1999–2001	Argentina U19		()
2000–02	Argentina U21		()
2002	Pumas Sevens	2	()
2007 & 2007	Argentina A		()
2003–	Argentina	44	(114)
* Senior club appearances and points correct as of 14 August 2013. † Appearances (Points). ‡ Representative team caps and points correct as of 6 October 2013.

Juan Martín Hernández (born August 7, 1982 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine rugby union player. A mainstay of the Argentina national team, he currently plays for the Paris club Racing Métro in the French Top 14 competition. His 2010 move to Racing brought him back to the city where he had begun his professional career in 2003 with Stade Français. He has also played in the South African Currie Cup with the Natal Sharks, and was slated to play with the Sharks in Super Rugby in 2010, but suffered a back injury that knocked him out of the Super Rugby season.^[1] Hernández is a "utility back" capable of playing at fly-half, centre, or fullback, though he generally prefers fly-half.

Hernández made his test debut for Los Pumas against Paraguay on April 2003. Since then he has earned over 30 caps for his national team.

His uncle Patricio Hernández^[2] was part of the Argentine football squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

His sister María de la Paz "Maripi" Hernández,^[3] won a silver medal with the Argentina hockey team at the 2000 Summer Olympics and bronze medals at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics.

Career

Club

Hernández began his rugby career at the amateur club Deportiva Francesa in Buenos Aires. In 2003, he moved to Paris to play professionally for Stade Français, one of the top clubs in France and Europe. He saw considerable success with Stade Français; winning the domestic championship in 2004, as well as being runners-up in the domestic championship and the European Heineken Cup in 2005. In 2006, he was named fullback of the year. This award has coincided with many commentators naming Hernández as the world's best fullback.^[4][5][6]

On 27 July 2009, Hernández signed with South Africa's Natal Rugby Union, operator of the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup and the Sharks in the Super 14, on a one-year contract. He took on a coaching role at the club's academy, helping young players at grass roots level.^[7]

In December 2009, the French rugby magazine Midi Olympique reported that Hernández had signed a deal with Paris' other Top 14 club, Racing Métro, and would return to France after the 2010 Super 14 season.^[8]

In early January 2010, it was announced that Hernández would be sidelined for at least 6 months following a back operation. He thus played no part in the Sharks 2010 Super 14 campaign.^[1]

International

Hernández made his debut for Argentina against Paraguay on 27 April 2003. Appearing in the starting line up, he helped the Pumas to a 144-0 victory. Following a further five Tests for Argentina in May, June and August 2003, Hernández was included in Argentina's squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He came on in the opening game of the tournament against the Wallabies, as well as starting in the games against Namibia and Romania.

Following the 2003 World Cup, Hernández next played for Argentina in November 2004, starting against France, Ireland and the Springboks. He earned another three Test caps on the November tour the following season. He was then capped twice against Wales and once against the All Blacks.

Hernández was unexpectedly picked at outside half for the opening game of the 2007 Rugby World Cup against France on 7 September 2007. His scintillating form, particularly with the boot, kept him as first choice in that position during Argentina's run to the semi-finals, and he subsequently scored three drop goals in the pool match with Ireland and another in the quarter final victory over Scotland.

Hernández was nominated by the IRB as one of the five candidates for the 2007 International Player of the Year award, which was won by Bryan Habana.

Before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Hernández was named on a list of candidates for the greatest fly half in Rugby World Cup history.^[9]

Statistics

Tests

• 2009: 6/6 vs. England; 13/6 vs. England
• 2008: 28/6 vs. Italy; 8/11 vs. France; 15/8 vs. Italy
• 2007 (all Rugby World Cup): 7/9 vs. France, 11/9 vs. Georgia; 30/9 vs. Ireland; 7/10 vs. Scotland (QF); 14/10 vs. South Africa (SF); 19/10 vs. France (3rd place)
• 2006: 17/6 vs. Wales; 24/6 vs. New Zealand; 11/11 vs. England; 18/11 vs. Italy; 25/11 vs. France (1 try)
• 2005: 5/11 vs. South Africa; 12/11 vs. Scotland]; 19/11 vs. Italy
• 2004: 20/11: vs. France; 27/11: vs. Ireland; 4/12: vs. South Africa
• 2003: 27/4: vs. Paraguay; 3/5: vs. Uruguay; 14/6: vs. France; 20/6: vs. France (1 try); 28/6: vs. South Africa (1 try); 30/8 vs. Canada. Rugby World Cup: 10/10: vs. Australia; 14/10: vs. Namibia; 22/10: vs. Romania (2 tries).

Tours

• 2009: England (first June Test, originally scheduled for Argentina but moved by the national federation to Old Trafford)
• 2008: Italy & France
• 2007: England (vs Northampton and Leicester)
• 2006: England, Italy & France
• 2005: Scotland & Italy
• 2004: France & Ireland
• 2003: South Africa - Australia Rugby World Cup
• 2002: Italy & Ireland

References

External links

• (English) Juan Martín Hernández at UAR.com.ar
• (French) Stade Français
• VIDEO: Incredible banana-swerve kick vs the All Blacks in 2012