2023 Nacional de Clubes

Note

• Bold indicates winning years

SIC qualified as URBA champions after defeating Alumni 15–12 in the 203 URBA Top 12 final^[8]

On the other hand, Universitario de Tucumán qualified as champions of Torneo del Interior, where they defeated Córdoba Athletic Club 25–21 in the final, being their first regional title.^[9] Universitario has finished 4th in the 2023 Torneo del Noroeste earning their place in the Interior championship.^[10]

It was the fifth final contested by SIC, which had won all of them (their rivals had been Tucumán R.C., La Tablada, Tala, and La Plata)^[4]

Universitario played their first final so they have never won the Interior Tournament before.^[11]

As expected, the Buenos Aires team had to fight to be able to carry out a complicated match against a rival that never gave up and who was encouraged to play and look for it throughout the 80 minutes. The first stage was marked by the rhythm and intensity that both teams showed, something that was seen from the beginning with Jacinto Campbell's electrifying run from midfield and passing through the visiting defense to score the first try in just 2 minutes. Universitario's response was immediate and came through Agustín López Ríos, the scrum half, who quickly got up from a ruck and scored. But again the local backs made the difference and, after a good combination from midfield, Marcos Borghi scored again. With a penalty in time by Joaquín Lamas, it was 15–5 in favor of SIC going into the break.^[7]

In the second half, the Serpents had a better start, dominating the game and marking time in the first minutes, even having some approaches by Lisandro Ahualli. Nevertheless, it was SIC that increased the score after a counter-attack led by Lamas. Nevertheless, Universitario did not resign and found a quick response from Martín Pintado, who at 41 years old made his entry from the substitute bench and had an immediate impact to close the gap again. At 55', it was 22–12 for the team from Boulogne.^[7]

From there, Universitario grew and approached their rival's goal. With two penalties from Marcos Villagra the score left 22–18. But SIC players' temperance made the difference again ensuring what would be the final 25–18 score to help the Zanjeros to win a national championship after 15 years, achieving their 5th. Nacional de Clubes title.^[7][12]

Summarising, it was a very even game, with both teams attacking rather defending. There were less kicks than in the final that SIC had won to Alumni some days before. SIC could have increased the score in the first half, but they missed several chances. On the other hand, Universitario pushed their rival until the end, keeping the game result urcentain until the last whistle.^[12]

SIC	Universitario (T)

FB 15 Francisco González Capdevilla RW 14 Jacinto Campbell OC 21 Carlos Pirán IC 12 Santos Rubio LW 11 Bernabé López Fleming FH 10 Joaquín Lamas SH 9 Juan Soares Gache N8 8 Tomás Meyrelles (c) OF 7 Alejandro Daireaux  70' BF 6 Andrea Panzarini RL 5 Bautista Viero  63' LL 4 Marcos Borghi TP 3 Benjamín Chiappe  60' HK 2 Ignacio Bottazzini LP 1 Marcos Piccinini  76' Substitutions: 18 Juan Pedro Olcese  60' 19 Pedro Georgalos  63' 20 Ciro Plorutti  70' 16 Ricardo Macchiavelo  76' Coaches: Eduardo Victorica Federico Serra

FB 15 Marcos Villagra RW 14 Pablo Garretón OC 13 Tomás Vanni IC 12 Álvaro Ferreyra  54' LW 11 Nicolás Brandán FH 10 Luciano Valdez  55' SH 9 Agustín López Ríos  51' N8 8 Lisandro Ahualli OF 7 Bruno Sbrocco  41' BF 6 Tomás Del Pero RL 5 Enzo Brandán  49' LL 19 Nicolás Gentile (c) TP 3 Francisco Moreno HK 2 Luciano Nobau  55' LP 1 Facundo Torres  41' Substitutions: 16 Franco Gómez Vallejo  41' 20 Thiago Sbrocco  41' 4 Jorge Herrera  49' 23 Facundo Juárez  51' 20 Martín Pintado  54' 17 Joaquín Juárez  55' 21 Ramiro Ferreyra  55' Coaches: Rodrigo Honorato Patricio Figueroa