Joe Santamaria: Chile flyer Nicolás Saab leads Pablo Lemoine’s new generation

By Joe Santamaria

In a year full of groundbreaking moments, Chile‘s 20-year-old flyer Nicolás Saab carved out a few of his own in 2025.

From scoring a world-class try to seal his country’s place at the World Cup to snatching a high ball out of the hands of Italy‘s Ange Capuozzo, Saab was at the heart of Chile’s memorable year.

With less than two years before the 2027 World Cup, the South American nation looks to have uncovered its latest star.

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Madness

“The try against Samoa came after we’d defended almost twelve phases in a row – I had pain in my legs because I’d taken a big hit earlier and I couldn’t move very well,” he said.

“At that moment, I saw my teammates giving everything in every contact, every phase Samoa played.

“I was on the ground watching my teammates working, and I couldn’t allow myself to do that.

“So I got up, and the rest is history. Honestly, now I barely remember anything because I was full of adrenaline.

“My emotions completely took over — it was madness. I couldn’t believe it myself.”

Famous victory

That try secured a famous 31-12 victory in front of over 20,000 fans in Viña del Mar, which meant Chile qualified for the next World Cup.

The nature of the victory, and the scale of the support, demonstrate the way the sport is growing in the region.

Opportunities to face top sides come few and far between for nations like Chile, making it all the more important that they take advantage of them when they do.

Just eight weeks after the Samoa victory, Chile got another chance to play on the world stage when a strong Italy side welcomed them to Genoa, and Saab was at the heart of things yet again.

With his side trailing 15-7, Saab set off in pursuit of a kick that looked as though it would be easily claimed by Italy superstar Capuozzo, only for the Chilean to pluck the ball out of the sky without breaking stride and surge towards the line.

Saab’s score was one of three Chile tries in a hugely encouraging display that ended 34-19 in favour of the hosts.

Standout performances

“I’ve watched it a thousand times,” Saab said. “Capuozzo’s face – he can’t believe it. I still can’t believe it!”

Saab’s incredulity is understandable, given the speed at which he has progressed in the last 12 months.

At the start of 2025, he had won a solitary international cap against Paraguay and was still establishing himself as a first teamer in Chile’s Super Rugby Americas franchise, Selknam.

By the end of it, he was scoring against Tier One nations and was named Chilean Rugby Player of the Year.

Having been deployed across the backline, Saab’s standout performances for Chile have come on the left wing, but the speedster has his eyes on one position in particular.

“I’ve played centre my whole life, but the competition is very high. There are players with a lot of quality and a lot more experience than me – World Cup experience, experience playing in Europe and the United States.

“I obviously love playing centre. That’s the position I want to play. I also really enjoyed playing on the wing, but at centre, you’re more involved in duels, contact, and the flow of the game.”

Enthusiasm

His enthusiasm for the game is palpable, which is all the more remarkable given his first encounter with the sport could easily never have happened.

Saab’s Chilean mother and Lebanese father met in the US, and Saab spent much of his early life in Dubai.

When the family moved back to Chile, Saab confesses that his Spanish was rudimentary and that he had never even heard of rugby.

It was through friendships at The Grange School that he first discovered the sport he is now thriving in.

“I played other sports like football, and a bit of baseball when I was younger, but I didn’t know rugby at all,” he said.

“I realised that all my friends played rugby, so my parents encouraged me to go to Old Boys Club and honestly, I didn’t understand anything, but I always had a great time. Since then, I’ve never let it go.”

Promising group

Chile captain Martín Sigren and record points scorer Santiago Videla are just two of Saab’s fellow Grange alumni to represent the national team, with both featuring prominently at the last World Cup.

Saab is part of a promising group of younger Chileans who are desperate to emulate them, having watched as their idols made their tournament debut in 2023.

Wins over Samoa and Uruguay have carried Chile to 17th in the world rankings, their highest ever position.

They have been drawn alongside New Zealand and Australia, having never faced either side before, and will be targeting their first ever World Cup win over Hong Kong China.

Saab will only be 22 at that tournament, and is relishing the opportunity to make his mark on the world stage.

“Over the next two years, with the Cóndores, Selknam, and the World Cup, my priority is to stay in Chile, to be close to the team, and to keep working with the coaches and my teammates,” he said.

“With the Cóndores we have around ten matches this year, so we want to keep climbing the rankings, to keep getting top-level matches like the one against Italy.”

Plenty on his plate

Like many of his teammates, Saab is balancing rugby alongside his studies.

Currently in the midst of a five-year business degree at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, he has plenty on his plate.

On the pitch, his Selknam side are looking to win their maiden Super Rugby Americas title, while Chile have the new World Rugby Nations Cup to contend with.

On the rare occasion he allows himself to look beyond the next two years, Saab’s goals are as varied as they are ambitious.

“I think any Chilean rugby player would like to play abroad,” he added. “After the World Cup, if I am picked and we have a good tournament, I’d obviously like to do it.

“I also have the dream of playing in the Olympic Games. It’s very difficult and requires a lot of work, but it’s definitely a possibility and something I’d like to return to.”

After using rugby as a means to settle into a new country, there is a pleasing symmetry about the fact it is now taking Saab around the world.

After a whirlwind year, he is choosing to take his time. Anyone who has seen him play will know how rare a choice that is.

For now, he has one eye on the present, with the occasional snatched glance in the direction of Australia. After that, there is no knowing where his talent will take him.

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