Argentinean international Felipe Contepomi signs two-year contract with Stade Francais - Rugby
Argentinean international centre, Felipe Contepomi, has signed a two-year contract with French Top 14 side Stade Francais. This is a move that will allow Contepomi to work again with the Michael Cheika as the South American
confirmed the move on Monday 30, 2011.
Contepomi’s move came as surprise particularly as he has opted to end his four-year contract prematurely with the big money spending French club Toulon. Contepomi penned a four-year contract with the Mourad Boudjellal’s club
in 2009. Contepomi two-year deal is an exchange deal with Stade Francais to replace their Toulouse bound centre Lionel Beauxis. In exchange for Contepomi, Francais’ six feet tall centre, Mathieu Bastareaud, will join Toulon.
The 33-year-old Contepomi has praised the Toulon management for looking after him during his rehabilitation from a serious operation on his knee. However, he summed up his stay at the Toulon as not a “best choice.”
When asked about the reasons, Contepomi said, “It's an unstable club because of the attitude of their president and the style of play, which doesn't suit me. But every experience is good for learning.”
Buenos Aires born Contepomi started his rugby career with Argentinean rugby club Newman. He represented the Pumas at Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens side. At the age of 21, he made his Pumas international debut against the Chile
at Santiago on October 10, 1998.
In 1999, Contepomi signed a four-year deal with the Bristol that helped him establish himself at the European and international level. He made 50 appearances for Bristol and scored 618 points. At the end of the 2002/03 season,
Contepomi joined Leinster and remained with them until the end of the 2008/09 season. He made 116 appearances for them and scored massive 1,225 points.
Under Cheika, Contepomi helped Leinster to lift the 2007/08 Magners League title and 2008/09 Heineken Cup title. At the end of the 2008/09 season, he signed a four-year contract with Toulon.
The move to Stade Francais will enable Contepomi to reunite with coach Michael Cheika who is currently in charge of developin the unit after a relatively poor season. Contepomi has termed the move as a “great challenge”, particularly as the team is going
through a rebuilding process. He said, “The team is being rebuilt with a coach that I know well. It will be a big test and I go there with the hope of bringing Stade Francais back to the top in Europe.”
However, Contepomi will probably not have a hard time settling in with squad, particularly with five international Argentinean players that include Rodrigo Roncero, Gonzalo Tiesi, Pedro Ledesma, Martin Rodriguez and Juan Martin Leguizamon on the team.
Contepomi so far has made 71 international appearances and scored 554 points that includes 13 tries, 60 conversions and 121 penalties. His last international came against Ireland in 2010.
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