On 14 May 2025, Activrep's scouting unit identified Leonel Oviedo, an Argentine hooker playing for Dogos XV in Súper Rugby Américas, after an earlier spell in France. Two concrete opportunities then emerged, one in the URC and one in Pro D2. Both were presented to the player and both were turned down. Activrep nonetheless kept the process active. In December 2025, Western Force needed an injury-cover hooker for the 2026 season.
The first challenge was respecting the player's timing and wishes while keeping his profile active on the market. For Western Force, the problem was the reverse: identifying, from a distance, a player able to respond quickly to a temporary in-season need. An opportunity that had just appeared had to be matched with a profile followed for several months.
Activrep first analysed the player's possible trajectory after his French experience and his performances in Argentina. When the first opportunities were declined, the process was not interrupted: the relationship with the player was maintained and his progress continued to be tracked. Over eight months, Activrep kept an active watch on his situation, drawing in particular on its network of international partners. When Western Force's need emerged in December 2025, this groundwork made it possible to quickly activate the network and position the player for the new opportunity.
Leonel Oviedo joined Western Force at the start of 2026, officially announced in January. He played four matches and scored a try during this first spell. His time at the club convinced Western Force to continue the collaboration: on 11 June 2026, the club announced his extension for two further seasons, through 2028.
A no is not necessarily a dead end. It can simply be information about timing. Keeping up the watch and the relationship makes it possible to be ready when the right opportunity appears.