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Rugby brothers go their separate ways

Jenny Dixon
18/ 6/2008

THE Lobbe brothers’ playing partnership came to an emotional end in Buenos Aires last weekend when elder sibling Ignacio bowed out of international rugby.

His farewell match ended in disappointment as Argentina’s seven-game winning record against Scotland came to a halt with a shock 26-14 defeat.

The next time Sharks back row Juan Fernandez Lobbe shares a rugby pitch with his brother it will be as Premiership rivals.

Thirty-three-year-old Ignacio will conclude his rugby career playing for Northampton Saints, having opted to leave Sharks at the end of last season due to the limited game time he was getting at Edgeley Park.

It will not only be 26-year-old brother Juan who will miss the 6ft 5ins lock, nicknamed Nacho, being at the Premiership club.

"It is a big loss for Sale," explained Sharks’ captain Jason White. "He started playing for Sale later than expected because of a serious knee injury, but since then he has developed into a tremendously important part of the squad.

"He knows how to balance being light-hearted and serious and knows the right time for each.

"He is an experienced guy who helped out the young players and he is also a great friend."

Scotland, without the Sharks trio of White, Rory Lamont and Scott Lawson, finally tamed the Pumas on Saturday, to the delight of their absent skipper.

"It was a great win for the boys, it’s outstanding," said White, who had to pull out of the tour to undergo surgery on his knee.

"I just want to support the guys and before they went I wished them all the best.

"It was very close in the first Test [Scotland lost 21-15] but they kept their self belief and stayed focused. It’s a great result for Scottish rugby."