Marcos Ayerza
 | |||
| Full name | Marcos Ivan Ayerza | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | January 12, 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 115 kg (18 st 2 lb) [1] | ||
| School | Colegio Cardenal Newman, (Buenos Aires) | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Loosehead prop | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | ||
| -2006 | Newman | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2006– | Leicester Tigers | 240 | (40) |
| correct as of 16 September 2016. | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2004– | Argentina | 66 | (5) |
| correct as of 25 October 2015. | |||
Marcos Ayerza (born January 12, 1983 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine rugby union rugby player who plays loose-head prop for an English club, the Leicester Tigers.
Club career
He joined Leicester in 2006, having previously played rugby for his school Colegio Cardenal Newman and then for Club Newman in Buenos Aires. His Tigers debut came as a late call-up when Alex Moreno was injured in the warm-up, against Bath Rugby in September 2006.
In January 2008, he signed a three-year contract extension with Tigers along with fellow prop Martin Castrogiovanni.[2]
He started in the 2007 Premiership final victory against Gloucester and the back-to-back Premiership titles in 2009 and 2010. The 2009 final was against London Irish, and the 2010 against Saracens.[3] He started in losing Heineken Cup finals in 2007 and 2009 and the losing Premiership finals of 2011 and 2012.
In December 2014 Ayerza made his 200th appearance for Leicester against Northampton[4][5] and in January 2015 it was announced Tigers would play Argentina as part of a testimonial year in Ayerza's honour.[6]
In September 2016 he made his 200th start against Wasps[7] becoming only the 86th player in the club's history to make 200 starts.[8]
International
Ayerza has represented Argentina at under-19 and under-21 level, playing in both the 2003 and 2004 under-21 World Championships.
His international debut for the full Argentina side was in December 2004 against the Springbgoks. His only international try to date was scored against Japan in April 2005.[9] He competed in qualifying matches for the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was capped twice during that competition, collecting a bronze medal as Argentina came third.[9] He has played on both sides of the scrum internationally.
Personal life
He is completing a degree in business studies.[10]
References
- ↑ "Aviva Premiership Rugby - Gloucester Rugby". web page. Premier Rugby. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ↑ "Leicester duo agree new contracts". BBC. 2008-01-25. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
- ↑ Foy, Chris (31 May 2010). "Tigers pounce to give Lewis Moody a victorious send off". London: Daily Mail.
- ↑ "Inside rugby: Marcos Ayerza reflects on 200 games with Leicester Tigers". Leicester Mercury. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
- ↑ "Ayerza honoured to reach 200 appearances" (Press release). Leicester Tigers. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
- ↑ "Argentina to play at Welford Road" (Press release). Leicester Tigers. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
- ↑ "Marcos Ayerza counts himself 'lucky' to have made 200 starts in a Leicester Tigers shirt since 2006". Leicester Mercury. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
- ↑ "200 not out for Ayerza". Leicester Tigers. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
- 1 2 Argentina profile (spanish)
- ↑ "Marcos Ayerza: 'Joining the Tri-Nations is just what the Pumas need'". London: Independent. 2009-09-26. Retrieved 2009-09-26.