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Santiago Grondona

Santiago Grondona (born 25 July 1998) is an Argentine professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Bristol Bears and the Argentina national team.

Santiago Grondona
Date of birth (1998-07-25) 25 July 1998 (age 26)
Place of birthBuenos Aires, Argentina
Height1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Weight110 kg (243 lb; 17 st 5 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8
Current team Bristol Bears
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019 Jaguares XV 8 (0)
2020 Jaguares 1 (0)
2022–2023 Exeter Chiefs 19 (20)
2023 Pau 8 (10)
2023– Bristol Bears 0 (0)
Correct as of 28 August 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018 Argentina U20 4 (5)
2018–2021 Argentina XV 3 (5)
2020– Argentina 15 (0)
Correct as of 28 August 2023

Club career

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Early life and youth career

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Santiago Grondona was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his rugby career at Club Champagnat, where he developed his skills during his youth. He represented Argentina in various youth national teams, including the Argentina national under-20 rugby union team.

Professional career

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Jaguares

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Grondona joined the Jaguares, Argentina's professional team in Super Rugby. On 21 November 2019, he was named in the Jaguares squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season.[1] Grondona made his debut on 7 March 2020 against the Sharks.[2][3] His time with the Jaguares was cut short due to the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newcastle Falcons

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At the end of 2020, Grondona signed with Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership.[4] However, he did not play any matches for the team after suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for an extended period.[5]

Exeter Chiefs

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In November 2021, Grondona signed with Exeter Chiefs as an injury replacement for Jacques Vermeulen.[6] He quickly extended his contract with the Chiefs in March 2022 and became a key player for the team.[7]

Section Paloise

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In February 2023, Grondona joined Section Paloise as a medical joker to cover for injuries until the end of the 2022–23 Top 14 season.[8] At Stade du Hameau, he reunited with his former Exeter Chiefs teammate, Joe Simmonds.[9] Grondona quickly made an impact on the team,[10] despite being released at the end of the season as Pau prepared to welcome Sam Whitelock following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[11]

Bristol Bears

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Santiago Grondona joined Bristol Bears in 2023.[12] Despite being sidelined due to a knee injury sustained on international duty, Grondona extended his contract with the club on 3 April 2024.[13] Although he has yet to make an appearance for Bristol, Grondona made an immediate impact by scoring two tries on his debut.[14] His brother Benjamín Grondona also plays for Bristol.[15]

International career

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Grondona made his debut for the Argentina national rugby team in November 2020 during a historic victory against the All Blacks. This match marked Argentina's first-ever win over New Zealand.

In August 2023, Grondona suffered another ACL injury in a match against Spain, ruling him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Jaguares comienza la pretemporada" (Press release) (in Spanish). Jaguares. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Altas y bajas en Jaguares para 2020". ESPN Deportes. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Santiago Grondona". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Newcastle Falcons sign Santiago Grondona from Jaguares". Americas Rugby News. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Falcons swoop for Argentinean pair". www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Chiefs add Grondona to their ranks". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Grondona departs the Chiefs". www.exeterchiefs.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  8. ^ Carrère, Jérôme (14 April 2023). "Section Paloise : Santiago Grondona, un destin contrarié". La Republique Des Pyrenees (in French). Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  9. ^ Letort, Grégory (21 February 2023). "Section Paloise : Santiago Grondona, un Puma en renfort immédiat". La Republique Des Pyrenees (in French). Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  10. ^ Carrère, Jérôme (8 May 2023). "Section Paloise : Santiago Grondona, le Puma a sorti les griffes". La Republique Des Pyrenees (in French). Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  11. ^ Lannessans, Georges (12 May 2023). "Section Paloise : « J'aimerais continuer l'aventure ici », espère Grondona". SudOuest.fr (in French). Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Santiago Grondona: Bristol Bears sign Argentina's former Exeter Chiefs forward". BBC Sport. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  13. ^ Carpenter, Will (3 April 2024). "Argentina international Santiago Grondona signs extension". Bristol Bears Rugby. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  14. ^ Kitson, Robert (5 October 2024). "Santiago Grondona's debut double leads Bristol to blistering win over Bath". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  15. ^ Carpenter, Will (9 January 2024). "Bears sign Pumas U20 star Benjamín Grondona 🇦🇷". Bristol Bears Rugby. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  16. ^ "CM 2023 : Blessé, Santiago Grondona déclare forfait pour la Coupe du monde avec l'Argentine". L'Équipe (in French). Retrieved 8 October 2024.
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