Pocket rocket Cordero catching fire at Chiefs
EXETER flyer Santiago Cordero claims risking his Test career with Argentina is a small price to pay for the chance of a better lifestyle in Europe.
Cordero has 33 Pumas caps but, at 24, is already tired of the treadmill nature of long-distance travelling involved in Test and Super Rugby, which saw him quit Los Jaguares last month in favour of a short-term deal at Rob Baxter’s Chiefs.
Diminutive Buenos Aires-born Cordero, 5ft 9ins and 13st, has scored 12 Test tries, but told TRP: “I wanted a change in my life and a new experience. I’ve been travelling non-stop since 2012, always playing with Argentina and the Jaguares and never settling anywhere.
“Last year I wasn’t playing much for Argentina so I decided to start looking for a place where I can stay for a long time and just concentrate on rugby.
“I only started one game for the Pumas in 2017 and two others on the bench, and then in November I came to Europe but didn’t play at all. It was frustrating for me in my head so I decided to try and have a better life, with not the same travelling.
“Jaguares wanted me to stay in Buenos Aires but I wanted a better quality of life. It’s currently a law that players outside Argentina can’t play for the Pumas but that’s a risk I had to take and I want to move on now and grow as a player.”
Cordero has impressed in his four games for Exeter and hopes to extend his deal and emulate his boyhood hero – former Wales star and TRP columnist Shane Williams – by proving size is no barrier to success in European rugby.
Cordero explained: “I’m not a big guy but I can bring a little bit of my magic by finding spaces and think I can make a difference in teams.
“I always watched Shane growing up and liked him a lot. He was similar to me, not too big, but was incredibly tough and scored great tries. During the Rugby World Cup in 2015 he was speaking about me and put a video of me on twitter, so it would be nice to meet him soon.”
Cordero has settled quickly at Sandy Park, adding: “I’m still a little shy but Gonzalo Camacho, who played for Exeter, is a good friend and he gave me tips to adapt more quickly.
“He spoke about how the coaches were all great guys and gave me friends to contact for anything I need, so I’m settling well and the guys are helping a lot.
“I’ll look to play more now and hope to get a longer contract, but of course that also depends on the coaches and if they want me or not.”