Santiago Grondona
{{short description|Argentine rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Santiago Grondona
| image =Santiago Grondona 2024.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Grondona in 2024
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|07|25|df=y}}
| birth_place = Buenos Aires, Argentina
| height = {{convert|1.98|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|110|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| school =
| university =
| relatives = Benjamín Grondona (brother)
| position = Flanker, Number 8
| currentclub = Bristol Bears
| years1 = 2019
| clubs1 = Jaguares XV
| apps1 = 8
| points1 = 0
| years2 = 2020
| clubs2 = Jaguares
| apps2 = 1
| points2 = 0
| years3 = 2022–2023
| clubs3 = Exeter Chiefs
| apps3 = 19
| points3 = 20
| years4 = 2023
| clubs4 = {{Rut|Pau}}
| apps4 = 8
| points4 = 10
| years5 = 2023–
| clubs5 = Bristol Bears
| apps5 = 0
| points5 = 0
| repyears1 = 2018
| repteam1 = Argentina U20
| repcaps1 = 4
| reppoints1 = 5
| repyears2 = 2018–2021
| repteam2 = Argentina XV
| repcaps2 = 3
| reppoints2 = 5
| repyears3 = 2020–
| repteam3 = Argentina
| repcaps3 = 15
| reppoints3 = 0
| clubupdate = 28 August 2023
| repupdate = 28 August 2023
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 =
| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =
| ru_sevensupdate =
}}
Santiago Grondona (born 25 July 1998) is an Argentine professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Bristol Bears and the Argentina national team.
Club career
= Early life and youth career =
Santiago Grondona was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his rugby career at Club Champagnat, where he developed his skills during his youth. He represented Argentina in various youth national teams, including the Argentina national under-20 rugby union team.{{cn|date=June 2025}}
= Professional career =
== Jaguares ==
Grondona joined the Jaguares, Argentina's professional team in Super Rugby. On {{Date|21 November 2019}}, he was named in the Jaguares squad for the 2020 Super Rugby season.{{cite press release |title=Jaguares comienza la pretemporada |date=21 November 2019 |publisher=Jaguares |url=http://www.jaguares.com.ar/2019/11/%ef%bb%bfjaguares-comienza-la-pretemporada/ |language=Spanish |accessdate=21 November 2019}} Grondona made his debut on {{Date|7 March 2020}} against the Sharks.{{cite news |date=19 November 2019 |title=Altas y bajas en Jaguares para 2020 |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/rugby/nota/_/id/6341851/altas-y-bajas-en-jaguares-para-2020 |accessdate=21 November 2019 |publisher=ESPN Deportes}}{{cite web |title=Santiago Grondona |url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/santiango-grondona |accessdate=21 November 2019 |publisher=Ultimate Rugby}} His time with the Jaguares was cut short due to the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
== Newcastle Falcons ==
At the end of 2020, Grondona signed with Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-12-22 |title=Newcastle Falcons sign Santiago Grondona from Jaguares |url=https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2020/12/22/newcastle-falcons-sign-santiago-grondona-from-jaguares/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Americas Rugby News |language=en-US}} However, he did not play any matches for the team after suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for an extended period.{{Cite web|title=Falcons swoop for Argentinean pair|url=http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/falcons-swoop-for-argentinean-pair|access-date=2020-12-22|website=www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk|language=en}}
== Exeter Chiefs ==
In November 2021, Grondona signed with Exeter Chiefs as an injury replacement for Jacques Vermeulen.{{Cite web |title=Chiefs add Grondona to their ranks |url=https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-add-grondona-to-their-ranks |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.exeterchiefs.co.uk |language=en-gb}} He quickly extended his contract with the Chiefs in March 2022 and became a key player for the team.{{Cite web |title=Grondona departs the Chiefs |url=https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/grondona-departs-the-chiefs |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.exeterchiefs.co.uk |language=en-gb}}
== Section Paloise ==
In February 2023, Grondona joined Section Paloise as a medical joker to cover for injuries until the end of the 2022–23 Top 14 season.{{Cite web |last=Carrère |first=Jérôme |date=2023-04-14 |title=Section Paloise : Santiago Grondona, un destin contrarié |url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/rugby/section-paloise-santiago-grondona-un-destin-contrarie-14444314.php |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=La Republique Des Pyrenees |language=fr-FR}} At Stade du Hameau, he reunited with his former Exeter Chiefs teammate, Joe Simmonds.{{Cite web |last=Letort |first=Grégory |date=2023-02-21 |title=Section Paloise : Santiago Grondona, un Puma en renfort immédiat |url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/rugby/section-paloise/rugby-section-paloise-santiago-grondona-un-puma-en-renfort-immediat-14153918.php |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=La Republique Des Pyrenees |language=fr-FR}} Grondona quickly made an impact on the team,{{Cite web |last=Carrère |first=Jérôme |date=2023-05-08 |title=Section Paloise : Santiago Grondona, le Puma a sorti les griffes |url=https://www.larepubliquedespyrenees.fr/sport/rugby/top-14/section-paloise-santiago-grondona-le-puma-a-sorti-les-griffes-15087083.php |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=La Republique Des Pyrenees |language=fr-FR}} despite being released at the end of the season as Pau prepared to welcome Sam Whitelock following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.{{Cite web |last=Lannessans |first=Georges |date=2023-05-12 |title=Section Paloise : « J’aimerais continuer l’aventure ici », espère Grondona |url=https://www.sudouest.fr/sport/rugby/section-paloise/top-14-section-paloise-j-aimerais-continuer-l-aventure-ici-espere-grondona-15135298.php |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=SudOuest.fr |language=fr-FR}}
== Bristol Bears ==
Santiago Grondona joined Bristol Bears in 2023.{{Cite news |date=2023-07-27 |title=Santiago Grondona: Bristol Bears sign Argentina's former Exeter Chiefs forward |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66329301 |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Despite being sidelined due to a knee injury sustained on international duty, Grondona extended his contract with the club on {{Date|April 3, 2024}}.{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Will |date=2024-04-03 |title=Argentina international Santiago Grondona signs extension |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/argentina-international-santiago-grondona-signs-extension/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Bristol Bears Rugby |language=en-ZA}} Although he has yet to make an appearance for Bristol, Grondona made an immediate impact by scoring two tries on his debut.{{Cite news |last=Kitson |first=Robert |date=2024-10-05 |title=Santiago Grondona’s debut double leads Bristol to blistering win over Bath |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/oct/05/bath-bristol-premiership-rugby-union-match-report |access-date=2024-10-08 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}} His brother Benjamín Grondona also plays for Bristol.{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Will |date=2024-01-09 |title=Bears sign Pumas U20 star Benjamín Grondona 🇦🇷 |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/bristol-bears-men/bears-sign-pumas-u20-star-benjamin-grondona/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Bristol Bears Rugby |language=en-ZA}}
International career
Grondona made his debut for the Argentina national rugby team in November 2020 during a historic victory against the All Blacks. This match marked Argentina's first-ever win over New Zealand.
In August 2023, Grondona suffered another ACL injury in a match against Spain, ruling him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.{{Cite web |title=CM 2023 : Blessé, Santiago Grondona déclare forfait pour la Coupe du monde avec l'Argentine |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/Blesse-santiago-grondona-declare-forfait-pour-la-coupe-du-monde-avec-l-argentine/1416213 |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=L'Équipe |language=fr}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grondona, Santiago}}
Category:Jaguares (Super Rugby) players
Category:21st-century Argentine sportsmen
Category:Argentine rugby union players
Category:Exeter Chiefs players
Category:Rugby union players from Buenos Aires
Category:Argentina international rugby union players
Category:Argentine expatriate rugby union players in England
Category:Newcastle Falcons players
Category:Section Paloise players
Category:Argentine expatriate rugby union players in France
{{Bristol Bears squad}}
{{Argentina-rugbyunion-bio-stub}}