With the confirmation in the starting XV of Los Pumas to face New Zealand, Julian Montoya will equal a historic record of Agustin Pichot. The hooker trained in Newman will reach 31 games as captain of the national team, leaving only seven matches behind the legendary Hugo Porta.
The semifinal against the All Blacks will have another intrinsic value for the Argentine hooker, as it will be his 31st match as captain of the Albiceleste team, reaching the mark of Agustin Pichot (the same number of tests). Montoya debuted as captain on July 3, 2021, against Romania in Bucharest (a 24-17 victory).
Regarding this, the man from Newman said: "I didn't know that stat. My greatest feeling is playing for Los Pumas wherever I'm needed. Today I'm the captain and I hope I continue playing. The greatest feeling is wearing the jersey, and that's why I do and we do everything possible. It's just a number, and I will try to give my best to the team always."
In relation to the overall table, it shows Agustin Creevy with 51 appearances as the player who has been the captain of the national team the most times, followed by Lisandro Arbizu with 48. Meanwhile, third place on the podium is occupied by Hugo Porta with 38 Tests.
The historical order of players with the most official test matches as captains of Los Pumas is as follows:
- Agustin Creevy 51 Tests (between 2014 and 2018)
- Lisandro Arbizu 48 Tests (in 1992, 1993, 1996, and between 1999-2003)
- Hugo Porta 38 Tests (between 1977 and 1990)
- Agustin Pichot 31 Tests (in 2000, 2001, 2002, and between 2003-2007)
- Julian Montoya 30 Tests (between 2021 and 2023) *
- Felipe Contepomi 23 caps (between 2008 and 2013)
* Will reach 31 tests next Friday.
Regarding the breakdown of Montoya's 30 Tests as captain:
03/07/2021 vs Romania, in Bucharest
10/07/2021 vs Wales, in Cardiff
17/07/2021 vs Wales, in Cardiff
14/08/2021 vs South Africa, in Port Elizabeth
21/08/2021 vs South Africa, in Port Elizabeth
12/09/2021 vs New Zealand, in Gold Coast
18/09/2021 vs New Zealand, in Brisbane
25/09/2021 vs Australia, in Townsville
02/10/2021 vs Australia, in Gold Coast
06/11/2021 vs France, in Paris
13/11/2021 vs Italy, in Treviso
21/11/2021 vs Ireland, in Dublin
02/07/2022 vs Scotland, in Jujuy
09/07/2022 vs Scotland, in Salta
06/08/2022 vs Australia, in Mendoza
13/08/2022 vs Australia, in San Juan
27/08/2022 vs New Zealand, in Christchurch
03/09/2022 vs New Zealand, in Hamilton
17/09/2022 vs South Africa, in Buenos Aires
24/09/2022 vs South Africa, in Durban
06/11/2022 vs England, in London
19/11/2022 vs Scotland, in Edinburgh
08/07/2023 vs New Zealand, in Mendoza
15/07/2023 vs Australia, in Sydney
29/07/2023 vs South Africa, in Johannesburg
05/08/2023 vs South Africa, in Buenos Aires
09/09/2023 vs England, in Marseille (RWC)
22/09/2023 vs Samoa, in Saint-Étienne (RWC)
08/10/2023 vs Japan, in Nantes (RWC)
14/10/2023 vs Wales, in Marseille (RWC)