Juan Martín Hernández
Encyclopedia
Juan Martín Hernández 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 Africa
n 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. 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
was part of the Argentine
football squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
.
His sister María de la Paz "Maripi" Hernández
, won a silver medal with the Argentina hockey team
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
and a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics
.
. 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.
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.
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
.
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.
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
. His overall rating out of 100 is 97, making him one of the best players in the world.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player. A mainstay of the Argentina national team
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
, he currently plays for the Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
club Racing Métro in the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Top 14 competition. His 2010
2010–11 Top 14 season
The 2010–11 Top 14 competition was a French domestic rugby union club competition operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby . Home-and-away play began on August 13, 2010 and continued through April 2011. The regular season was followed by a three-round playoff starting in May that involved the top...
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 Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n Currie Cup
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
with the Natal Sharks
Natal Sharks
The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
, and was slated to play with the Sharks in Super Rugby in 2010
2010 Super 14 season
The 2010 Super 14 season kicked off in February 2010 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 29 May. The 2010 season was the fifth and last season of the expanded Super 14 format. The schedule, which covers 3½ months, featured a total of 94 matches, with each team playing one...
, but suffered a back injury that knocked him out of the Super Rugby season. 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
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
against Paraguay
Paraguay national rugby union team
The Paraguay national rugby team is the team governed by the Paraguayan Rugby Union that represents Paraguay in the international rugby competitions organized by the International Rugby Board....
on April 2003. Since then he has earned over 30 caps for his national team.
His uncle Patricio Hernández
Patricio Hernández
Patricio Hernández is an Argentine football coach and former player.Hernández started his career in 1974 at Estudiantes de La Plata, a club that he would later manage. He soon earned a reputation as a skillful attacking midfielder, with a very precise shot. He was transferred to Italian team...
was part of the Argentine
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
football squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
.
His sister María de la Paz "Maripi" Hernández
María de la Paz Hernández
María de la Paz Hernández is a field hockey player from Argentina, who won the silver medal with the national women's hockey team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Her brother is current Argentina rugby star Juan Martín...
, won a silver medal with the Argentina hockey team
Las Leonas
Argentina national women's field hockey team represents Argentina in women's field hockey. They are also known by the nickname Las Leonas, meaning "The Lionesses"...
at the 2000 Summer Olympics
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
and a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
.
Club
Hernández began his rugby career at the amateur club Deportiva Francesa in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
. 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
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
in 2005
2004-05 Heineken Cup
The 2004-5 Heineken Cup was the tenth edition of the Heineken Cup. Competing teams, from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales, were divided into six pools of four, in which teams played home and away matches against each other...
. In 2006, he was named fullback of the year. This award has coincided with many commentators naming Hernández as the world's best fullback.
On 27 July 2009, Hernández signed with South Africa's Natal Rugby Union, operator of the Natal Sharks
Natal Sharks
The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
in the Currie Cup
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
and the Sharks in the Super 14
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
, on a one-year contract. He took on a coaching role at the club's academy, helping young players at grass roots level.
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
2010 Super 14 season
The 2010 Super 14 season kicked off in February 2010 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 29 May. The 2010 season was the fifth and last season of the expanded Super 14 format. The schedule, which covers 3½ months, featured a total of 94 matches, with each team playing one...
.
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.
International
Hernández made his debut for ArgentinaArgentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
against Paraguay
Paraguay national rugby union team
The Paraguay national rugby team is the team governed by the Paraguayan Rugby Union that represents Paraguay in the international rugby competitions organized by the International Rugby Board....
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
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
. He came on in the opening game of the tournament against the Wallabies
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
, as well as starting in the games against Namibia
Namibia national rugby union team
The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at rugby union. Although they are a tier-three nation in the International Rugby Board tier system, the team have participated in all three Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999...
and Romania
Romania national rugby union team
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
.
Following the 2003 World Cup, Hernández next played for Argentina in November 2004, starting against France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
, Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
and the Springboks
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
. He earned another three Test caps on the November tour the following season. He was then capped twice against Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
and once against the All Blacks.
Hernández was unexpectedly picked at outside half for the opening game of the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
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
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
.
Hernández was nominated by the IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
as one of the five candidates for the 2007 International Player of the Year
IRB International Player of the Year
IRB Player of the Year is an accolade awarded annually by the International Rugby Board. It is awarded to the player who is adjudged to have been the best performer in rugby union internationals in the preceding season IRB Player of the Year is an accolade awarded annually by the International...
award, which was won by Bryan Habana
Bryan Habana
Bryan Gary Habana is a South African rugby union player who plays as a wing for the Western Province in the Currie Cup, the Stormers in Super 14, and the 2007 Rugby World Cup champions Springboks...
. His overall rating out of 100 is 97, making him one of the best players in the world.
Tests
- 2009: 6/6 vs. EnglandEngland national rugby union teamThe England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
; 13/6 vs. England - 2008: 28/6 vs. ItalyItaly national rugby union teamThe Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
; 8/11 vs. FranceFrance national rugby union teamThe France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
; 15/8 vs. Italy - 2007 (all Rugby World Cup2007 Rugby World CupThe 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
): 7/9 vs. France, 11/9 vs. GeorgiaGeorgia national rugby union teamThe Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try"...
; 30/9 vs. IrelandIreland national rugby union teamThe Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
; 7/10 vs. ScotlandScotland national rugby union teamThe Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
(QF); 14/10 vs. South AfricaSouth Africa national rugby union teamThe South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
(SF); 19/10 vs. France (3rd place) - 2006: 17/6 vs. WalesWales national rugby union teamThe Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
; 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. CanadaCanada national rugby union teamThe Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the...
. Rugby World CupRugby World CupThe Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
: 10/10: vs. AustraliaAustralia national rugby union teamThe Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
; 14/10: vs. NamibiaNamibia national rugby union teamThe Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at rugby union. Although they are a tier-three nation in the International Rugby Board tier system, the team have participated in all three Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999...
; 22/10: vs. RomaniaRomania national rugby union teamThe Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
(2 tries).
Tours
- 2009: England (first June Test, originally scheduled for Argentina but moved by the national federation to Old TraffordOld TraffordOld Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
) - 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 CupRugby World CupThe Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
- 2002: Italy & Ireland