Edinburgh’s coaches deserve credit for rise of Boffelli, reckons Cheika
We are running out of superlatives for Emiliano Boffelli but Argentina’s coach Michael Cheika believes the role of the Edinburgh staff in the player’s rise deserves recognition.
Boffelli, inset, has helped inspire the Pumas to stunning away wins over New Zealand and England this year as well as delivering the decisive blow in the summer Test series against Scotland. The sides will lock horns again at Murrayfield tomorrow, with Boffelli selected on the left wing for what is the final instalment of the Autumn Nations Series for both teams.
Cheikabelievestheplayer has added consistency to his abundant talents since joining Edinburgh from Racing 92 in summer 2021.
“I think he’s really flourishedplayinguphere,” Cheikasaid.“he’senjoyedthe environment that he’s playing in, and that’s a credit to his coaches in Edinburgh. Andhe’sbeenveryconsistent with how he’s been the whole tripsincewecametogetherin July. He’s improved his game a lot.
“I’m conscious of not giving him too big a head before the weekend, so I’m not going to give him too many raps. Concentration is the key and I think that’s been a huge improvement in his game he’s been able to focus on the game at hand. He’s been able to eliminate distractions that can affect players at this level,andthushisperformances have improved as well. He’s a good guy to coach, there’s no doubt about it.
“I think the important thing for him is just to stay consistentthisweekandnotletthose distractions [affect him]. It’s a bit odd, because you’re playingwithyournationalteamat a place you call home for the moment.”
Boffelli has flourished under Mike Blair’s tutelage at Edinburgh and become a hugely popular player with fans and team-mates alike. Assured under the high ball, potent in attack and deadly off the tee, he has weighed in with195pointsfrom21games since moving to the capital.
His club form has transferred to the Test arena, with Boffelli scoring 20 points in Argentina’s landmark 25-18 win over the All Blacks in Christchurch in August, and 25 in the 30-29 victory over England a fortnight ago. Things went against the Pumas in Cardiff last weekend, with Wales winning 20-13,butscotlandarebraced for more Boffelli brilliance. Murrayfield holds mixed memories for Cheika. He was in charge of Australia in 2017 when Gregor Townsend masterminded Scotland’s record 53-24 win over the Wallabies. But the coach also knows success at the ground,hisleinstersidehaving beaten Leicester 19-16 in the 2009 Heineken Cup final.
“Thiswillbemyfirstchance to be here with Argentina so I’m really looking forward to it,” said Cheika. “I have a lot of good memories here – we won a European Cup and it’s agreatplacetocomeandplay footy,greatcrowdandalways a great atmosphere.”
Cheika makes four changes. Captain Julian Montoya returns at hooker, replacing Agustin Creevy, and Bautista Delguy (wing), Matías Orlando (outside centre) and Eduardo Bello (tighthead prop) come in in place of Mateo Carreras, Matias Moroni and Francisco Gómez Kodela, respectively. Therearealsochangesonthe bench with Lautaro Velezbazan covering scrum-half and Nicolas Sanchez in as back-up stand-off.