Juan Martin Hernandez
Argentina
player portrait
Full name Juan Martin Hernandez
Nickname El Mago
Born August 7, 1982, Buenos Aires
Current age 41 years 225 days
Major teams Barbarians, Cell C Sharks (CC), Jaguares, Racing Metro, Sharks, Stade Français, Toulon, Argentina
Position Fly-half
Height 6 ft 2 in
Weight 205 lb

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 2003-2017 74 66 8 176 8 20 23 9 33 41 0 44.59
IRB Rugby World Cup 2003-2015 14 13 1 29 3 1 0 4 10 4 0 71.42
The Rugby Championship 2012-2017 23 20 3 55 0 8 12 1 3 20 0 13.04

Career statistics
Test debut Argentina v Paraguay at Montevideo, Apr 27, 2003 match details
Last Test Italy v Argentina at Firenze, Nov 18, 2017 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list
Profile

Known to his many fans as "El Mago", or "the magician", the Argentinean fullback come fly-half has dazzled opponents the world over with his pace and arsenal of kicking skills.

Hernandez made his debut for the Pumas in a 144-0 thrashing of Paraguay in 2003, but really came to prominence following his switch from Deportiva Francesca to Stade Francais. From fullback Hernandez became a force in the Top 14 and Heineken Cup, a devastating attacker joining the line and a solid defensive presence, always immaculate under the high ball. He is well remembered for a crunching, try-saving tackle on Leicester's giant Samoan wing Alesana Tuilagi in the Heineken Cup clash at Welford Road in 2006.

His real arrival on the world stage was signalled by his surprise selection at outside-half in the opening game of the 2007 World Cup, against hosts France. Despite being described in certain quarters at the world's best fullback, Hernandez had designs on the remainder of his career being spent in the outside half berth of both club and country.

Pumas' coach Marcello Loffereda's faith in Hernandez was rewarded by a breathtaking display of attacking skill as his side unceremoniously took the scalp of the hosts on their home turf. Hernandez continued at No. 10 for the remainder of the tournament, notching a hat trick of drop goals against Ireland in the pool decider and another against Scotland in the quarter-finals. The Argentinean effort ended in the semi-final at the hands of eventual champions South Africa, but Hernandez had impressed enough to be nominated for the IRB Player of the Year award for 2007.

A lack of opportunities in the No.10 shirt of Stade Francais led to rumours that Hernandez may be making the jump to England. However, such talk proved unfounded and Hernandez recovered from injury to rejoin Stade's tilt at the Top 14 and Heineken Cup in the 2008-9 season.

In the summer of 2009 he completed a switch to the Sharks in South Africa on a one-year deal with the Durban-based side, but his stay was cut short by injury and he was unable to play a Super Rugby game for his new employers. After a lengthy lay-off, Hernandez confirmed in May 2010 that he would be returning to France that summer after agreeing a deal with Racing Metro.

He made his debut for his new club as a replacement in a win over Toulon and, after another cameo appearance against Clermont, was granted his first start, at fly-half, against Castres a fortnight later. However, the following weekend Hernandez picked up a thigh injury in Racing's clash with La Rochelle, raising more fears that injury might ultimately curtail his glittering career.

A knee injury sustained in March 2011 against Bourgoin put Hernandez out for the rest of the season and the subsequent World Cup. The side crashed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage but showed impressive resiliance throughout.

The Pumas would not have to wait long to take on their southern hemisphere rivals as they were included in the Tri-Nations for the start of the 2012 Rugby Championship. After an impressive season for Racing Metro, Hernandez was back to his best and looked set to play a key role in the tournament for the Pumas.

Latest Articles
Hernandez lauds Giteau as 'one of best players in history' (Oct 23, 2015) Daniel Hourcade's five changes that transformed Argentina into a winning unit (Oct 23, 2015) Argentina's Juan Martin Hernandez picks up where he left off in the Rugby World Cup (Sep 20, 2015) Argentina sign star duo for new Super Rugby franchise (Sep 4, 2015) Argentina make 11 changes to starting XV (Aug 7, 2015) Juan Martin Hernandez news and articles (78) »
Latest Photos
Aug 3, 2015
Argentina's Juan Martin Hernandez gets back into the swing of things at training
Argentina's Juan Martin Hernandez gets back into the swing of things at training
©  Getty Images
May 9, 2014
Racing Metro's Juan Martin Hernandez is wrapped up by Gael Fickou
Racing Metro's Juan Martin Hernandez is wrapped up by Gael Fickou
©  Getty Images
Aug 17, 2013
Argentina's Juan Martin Hernandez claims a high ball
Argentina's Juan Martin Hernandez claims a high ball
©  Getty Images
Sep 30, 2012
Argentina's Juan Martin Hernandez is shackled by the All Blacks
Argentina's Juan Martin Hernandez is shackled by the All Blacks
©  Getty Images
Juan Martin Hernandez rugby photos (25) »

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