Young Argie enjoys a bit of bargie on rugby field with Waysiders

Oct 1 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

ARIEL BERRINO relishes a fresh challenge as much as a crunching tackle on the rugby field.

He has only been in Scotland a few weeks but already the Argentinian has started a new job and begun playing with Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC while slowly improving his grasp of English.

Spare time is a precious commodity in the life of the 23-year-old.

But the second-rower isn’t complaining about his lot and is determined to make a positive impact during his stint at Langloan.

Spotted by W/D’s head coach Jon Shaw on the National League Three club’s tour of Sweden, Ariel was more than happy to accept an invitation to further his career in Scotland.

“This is a great opportunity for me to learn how to play rugby and develop myself as a player,” he told the Advertiser.

“I didn’t know anything about the club but I heard that Jon was a good player and a good coach.

“I was excited about playing rugby in Scotland because it also gives me a chance to improve my English.

“W/D came over to play in a tournament in Sweden. Jon talked with me and now I am here. The people are very friendly.”

Currently sharing a home in Airdrie with W/D team-mate, Swede Tobias Rostram, Ariel is working for coach Shaw’s scaffolding business in Coatbridge.

He started playing rugby as a youngster growing up in his home city of Cordoba, where the sport is hugely popular.

But it wasn’t until he hooked up with his Swedish girlfriend, Alexandra, did he begin to take it more seriously.

“I met her in Spain two years ago and we went to Sweden,” he says.

“Last November, I remember it was very cold, and I wanted to meet people so I was training every day.

“I played for Malmo and my first game was in a seven-a-side tournament and I enjoyed it. People told me I had learned very quickly.

“But I need to learn more about the game. I am reading the rules of the sport and I am watching a lot of games on television.

“I am also learning English – I am learning a lot of things just now.

“Rugby is a very physical sport but I don’t have a problem with that – I like tough play. It is a lot different to how it is on television.

“Alexandra is still in Sweden but she is coming over to visit in two or three weeks. It will be nice to have her here.

“I do miss Cordoba, especially the people. The weather is different as well but I am getting more experience and learning new things.”

Ariel admits the standard of rugby in Sweden is low, however, he insists there are talented players coming through the ranks.

But it is in his homeland where the sport is emerging as a force, catching the attention of the nation.

The Pumas’ sensational performance in the World Cup in 2007, when they beat Scotland on their way to the semi-finals, has seen rugby union enjoy a much higher profile in Argentina.

“The national team have done very well over the past couple of years,” he said. “There are a lot of clubs in Argentina now although football is still the first sport.

“But the players want to be professional and are training very hard.

“After the World Cup, a lot of people started to like rugby more. The success in that competition generated a lot more interest and was important for the sport in the country.”

One of Ariel’s heroes is Gonzalo Longo, a 34-year-old who has been capped by Argentina more than 40 times.

“He is my favourite player and someone I admire a lot,” he added. “He is serious about his sport, is strong and plays well all the time.”

Ariel is already fond of his new team-mates at W/D who have rolled out the red carpet for their foreign signing.

He added: “I am playing for a very good team and we have good players who want to win every match. I like that.

“I am still trying to understand everybody but all of the players have welcomed me and are very helpful. I feel good around them.”