Cordero settling well to life at the Chiefs
By Neale Harvey
1/12/20
Argentinian flyer Facundo Cordero says taking baby steps in England’s land of the giants is the way to success as he aims to replicate his brother’s impact at Exeter.
Cordero, 22, bears a striking resemblance to older sibling Santiago, who became a firm favourite with the Chiefs faithful during a scintillating 18-month spell in which he helped the club reach two Premiership finals before joining Bordeaux in 2019.
An electrifying performance in Exeter’s 33-3 win at Harlequins suggests Chiefs boss Rob Baxter may have unearthed another South American gem, as Facundo reveals how wise words from his brother assured him that his immediate future lay in Devon.
“It was a big decision and it’s changed my career,” Facundo told The Rugby Paper. “The rugby is different, it’s more structured, whereas in the south rugby is much quicker, but when ‘Santi’ told me I was coming here, he told me it would be like family. I was in Argentina speaking Spanish and I’ve never been in a position of difficulty, but Santi was right and everybody here has made me feel part of it.
“Here is more physicality, more set-piece and more counter-attacks, whereas in Argentina we prepare to be faster so the other guys can’t catch you. Everything is very organised here but I’m enjoying the new challenge and I like it very much in Exeter.”
After two Premiership appearances at the end of last season, Cordero feels privileged to be involved with a side that clinched a league and European Cup double.
Ultimately, he would love to follow Santiago, 26, into Argentina’s national team, but for now his focus is solely on nailing down a spot at the Chiefs, where he admits a huge part of the challenge is coming terms with the sheer size of Premiership players.
He explained: “I’m so happy when Santi plays for the Pumas. He trains a lot and never has a day off, so he deserves all the success and caps he has had. He’s four years older but as kids we played rugby together and I went to all his matches, so I know how hard he had to work to reach the top level. If that (Argentina) comes for me in future I will join it, but at the moment I just want to play the best rugby I can. I’m playing in the best place for me at Exeter and it’s baby steps. I don’t want to think about anything else at this stage of my career.
“I used to watch Santi on TV when he was here and they all looked like normal people, but to me now they look like monsters. These men here are crazy but they are winners, too, and it’s incredible to see how they do everything possible to win games.”
A product of the Regatas Bella Vista club in Buenos Aires, where he started playing rugby at the age of five, Cordero’s talent saw him represent an Argentina XV and the Jaguares second string before Baxter’s homework brought him to England.
Despite the relentless physicality of the Premiership, Cordero topped last week’s chart for defenders beaten (eight) and made 95 metres at Quins.
He added: “It’s a quality of the Cordero’s, I think. Everybody tells me I look like Santi and I like to run as well. The thing is, if I don’t run fast the other guys here are much bigger than me so they’re just going to smash me and cause me lots of pain!
“But that’s all part of the challenge and I’m enjoying it.”