Tyro Puma Gonzalez is dreaming big with Exiles
ARGENTINA international Juan Martin Gonzalez has adjusted well to life in England and wants to be a part of a London Irish side that makes the play-offs for the first time since 2009.
Irish are fifth in the table, two points outside the play-offs, but Gonzalez believes they climb the ladder if they keep their focus .
He said: “I think we are in a good place but I think we have to go game by game and can’t think too far ahead. If we continue to keep getting better, then we can continue to climb the league.
“We have dreams to make the play-offs and then the final, but we just need to concentrate on each game as it comes.”
The 21-year-old flanker joined the club at the start of the season from Jaguares XV and is enjoying the challenge of the Premiership.
He added: “The Premiership is very different to Argentina because you have a lot of games, and every game is very hard, you can’t lose any games or you’ll fall down the league. The competition is very good and the players that you play against are top level.
“I like the system of London Irish because it’s very similar to Argentina, so I adjusted to the team quickly. Sale play similar to South Africa as they are a very huge team, but all the teams are different, and I like our system because it’s what I’m used to.”
Despite the cold weather, Gonzalez is loving his time in Brentford and says he owes a lot to his Argentinian teammates.
He said: “Agustin Creevy is a very good friend, he has helped me a lot and has been very important to me. He is a good person and a great player so that combination is excellent in rugby and Facundo Gigena and Lucio Cinti have also helped me a lot.
“I came here alone, and I thought it was going to be very hard because of the language but they introduced me to the club very well, so it was easy as in just a few minutes I was friends with everyone.”
Irish have shown their never say die attitude on numerous occasions this season, making comebacks to beat the likes of Exeter and Saracens.
Gonzalez added: “The way that we train, everyone gives 100 per cent to be at the top of their game so that gives us a chance to beat anyone.”
Irish head coach Les Kiss has been impressed with Gonzalez.
“He’s not the biggest flanker but he’s super dynamic and explosive,” Kiss said. “He’s got a really nice disposition about him, his temperament is really good and he doesn’t believe in anything less than 100 per cent.
“Ben Donald has been injured and Juan has really come forward. He has a skillset that is built around explosive speed and power, and he’s a smart footballer as well. He’s been a real asset for us.”