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PARIS - Horacio Agulla has risen from the amateur ranks in Argentina to an undisputed place in the Pumas' World Cup semi-final side in the space of five dream-like weeks in France.
As a boy, sport did not even look like an option for Agulla who suffered a bone deficiency that left him with one leg three centimetres shorter than the other.
A talent for rugby, though, saw him become a first-team player at Hindu in the Buenos Aires top flight and get selected for Argentina's under-21 side before making his Pumas debut against Samoa in December 2005.
Eleven months later he was in the Argentina side that beat England at Twickenham and his test tally when he played against Italy in Mendoza last June was five.
Unexpectedly winning a place in coach Marcelo Loffreda's starting 15 at the World Cup, the 22-year-old marketing student has taken his tally, including a warm-up game, to 10.
The winger has not looked back since his part in fullback Ignacio Corleto's try in Argentina's 17-12 upset victory over hosts France in the tournament's opening match.
Agulla went on to play in the pool wins over Namibia and Ireland, when he scored a much-celebrated try in the corner, and the quarter-final victory over Scotland.
"They are moments I'll never forget in my life," Agulla said of his part in those tries as he will, no doubt, of appearing in Argentina's first ever semi-final against South Africa at the Stade de France on Sunday.
Agulla hopes the rugby bug that has bitten his country as a result of the Pumas' winning run in the tournament will take hold in a permanent way.
"Let's hope this isn't just a thing of the moment," he told Reuters. "I hope it brings more kids to this sport that has so many good values."
Agulla was two days shy of his 15th birthday on October 20, 1999 when Argentina upset Ireland to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time.
"I saw it on TV. Two days later, when I went to the club to train there were five new kids," he said. "They are still there.
"It's good if we can play our part in attracting kids to the game," added Agulla, who takes great pride in playing for the Pumas.
"It's gets very emotional and is motivating at the time of the national anthem, that's when you think of your family, your club, your friends, it's when your chest swells up."
Agulla, who is halfway through a four-year university course in marketing, said he would like to join the growing ranks of Argentine professionals in Europe and would give any offers serious consideration.
"I'm not giving it much thought now (during the World Cup) but I would love it to happen," he said.
- AFP
