Hugo Porta facts for kids
Porta in 2024
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| Birth name | Hugo Porta | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 11 September 1951 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | UBA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Architect | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hugo Porta, born on September 11, 1951, is a famous retired rugby player from Argentina. Many people think he is one of the best fly-halves ever to play rugby. A fly-half is a key player who helps direct the team's attacks. He is so good that he's in both the International Rugby Hall of Fame and the IRB Hall of Fame.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Porta played 58 games for the Argentine national rugby team, known as Los Pumas. He was their captain in 34 of these games. He even led the team in the very first Rugby World Cup in 1987.
Porta played his first international game in 1971. Some of his best games for Los Pumas happened in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These included a tie with France in 1977 and a big win against Australia in 1979. He also helped his team get a 21–21 tie with New Zealand in 1985.
In December 2018, Porta became the president of the Banco Nación sports club. This is the same club where he played his entire rugby career.
Contents
Hugo Porta's Rugby Journey
Hugo Porta was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Before rugby, he played football (soccer) and almost joined a famous club called Boca Juniors. But he decided to switch to rugby union and joined the Banco Nación team.
Early Games and International Debut
Porta played his first game for Argentina on October 10, 1971. It was against Chile. That same year, he played three more games against teams from Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The next year, Argentina played two games against South Africa in Buenos Aires.
In the following season, Porta played seven times for the national team. These games included matches against Romania. He also played against teams from Ireland and Scotland, but these were not official "cap" games. A cap is a special award given to a player for each international game they play for their country.
Becoming Captain and Key Matches
Porta became the national team captain in 1977. His first game as captain was against France. Argentina lost that game, but in the next match, they tied 18–18. Porta scored all of Argentina's points in that game by kicking six penalty goals.
In October 1978, Porta led Argentina in two more matches. One was against an England team (not a cap game) and the other against Italy. The next year, he captained Los Pumas in a two-game series against a New Zealand team (also not a cap game).
Historic Win Against Australia
On October 27, 1979, Porta led Argentina to a big win against Australia in Buenos Aires. They won 24–13. Porta was amazing in this game. He kicked two conversions, one penalty, and three drop goals, scoring 18 points himself. A conversion is a kick after a try, and a drop goal is scored by dropping the ball and kicking it as it bounces. Even though they lost the next game, this win was a very important moment for Argentine rugby.
Leading the South American Jaguars
Porta also captained a team called the South American Jaguars on three tours to South Africa. These tours happened between 1980 and 1984. After the 1980 tour, Porta led Argentina to two wins against Fiji. They also tied with England in 1981.
During the second South America tour in 1982, the Jaguars won one of their games in South Africa. Porta scored all 21 points in that victory! Argentina also beat Australia 18–3 in 1983. Another South American tour took place in 1984.
Famous Draw with New Zealand
In June 1985, Argentina also defeated France 24–16. Later that year, on November 2, a very famous game happened. Argentina tied 21–21 with New Zealand. Porta was incredible, kicking four penalties and three drop goals to score all 21 points for his team. Porta is also the only Argentine player to have played for the South African Barbarians Club.
Rugby World Cup and Retirement
Porta led Argentina in the 1987 Rugby World Cup. He was 36 years old at the time. He retired after this tournament. In their first World Cup game, Argentina lost to Fiji. However, they won their next game, beating Italy 25–16. They were then defeated by New Zealand in their last pool game.
Porta briefly came out of retirement in 1990 to play a few more games. These were against teams from Ireland, England, and Scotland.
After his rugby career, Porta took on important roles. In 1991, he became Argentina's Ambassador to South Africa. Later, in 1994, he became Argentina's Minister for Sport.
Many rugby experts have praised Hugo Porta. In 2007, former England captain Will Carling named Porta as one of the top ten rugby players of all time. Mark Ella, a former Australian fly-half, said that he had "never played against a better five-eighth" (another name for a fly-half).
Honours and Awards
Hugo Porta received many awards and honours during and after his career.
Club Achievements
- Banco Nación
- Torneo de la URBA (2 wins): 1986, 1989
- Sevens championship (4 wins): 1974, 1984, 1987, 1988
Individual Honours
- Olimpia de Oro Award: This is given to Argentina's "sportsman of the year." Porta won it in 1985.
- Olimpia de Plata Award: This is for Argentina's "rugby union player of the year." He won it five times: 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982.
- Midi Olimpique Magazine: Named him "Best rugby union player of the world" in 1985.
- Rothmans Yearbook Magazine: Called him the "Best Fly-half of the 1980s" in 1989.
- Member of the Rugby hall of fame of New Zealand.
- He is the second all-time Test player with the most drop goals, with 28.
- He is the all-time top scorer for Argentina's first division, with 301 points.
- He is the second all-time top scorer for the Argentina national team, with 590 points (from 1970–90).
- He is in the Guinness World Records for scoring seven penalties and a conversion in one game (in 1982 against the Springboks).
See also
In Spanish: Hugo Porta para niños
- International Rugby Hall of Fame
- IRB Hall of Fame
