Up and Under

The Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

 

UP

Australia
If there was any doubt that the Wallabies were up for it, there is none now. A magnificent 10-plus minutes of goal line defense with two men in the bin held out Wales, and firmly established the green & golds as favorites to make the final. They’ve come a long way since their chaotic year in 2014. On form it would take a brave person to bet against them lifting the Webb Ellis.

Japan
The Brave Blossoms wrapped up their terrific campaign with a solid victory over the Eagles in Gloucester, finishing with an exceptional 3-1 record in the pool stages. In doing so they become the first ever team to finish with three wins and not make the quarter finals. It’s a shame, and Scotland can count their lucky stars after just barely scraping by Samoa. Though internally their house appears a bit of a mess, on the field their heros have delivered in spades.

Samoa
Speaking of the Manu, at least we got a taste of what they are capable of. It’s no surprise that the team responded when Stephen Betham finally selected their best team, only three games too late. The head coach should surely see the axe after bottling a campaign that had so much promise heading into the tournament, but his players can hold their heads high after redeeming themselves and very nearly earning another famous World Cup upset.

Jeff Hassler
His team might not have quite been up to par, but the star right winger enjoyed another excellent afternoon, winning man-of-the-match despite coming out on the losing end against Romania. A terrific individual try highlighted his return to action for Canada, and at the ripe old age of 24 he has become an indispensible member of the side. Onwards and upwards.

 

UNDER

Americas Rugby World Cup Teams
It’s been a pretty dismal tournament for the Americas teams thus far. Unless Argentina can find a way to win a couple knock-out matches as underdogs, it doesn’t look likely of being a particularly memorable one for any of them. While Canada, Uruguay, and USA might have won a few fans along the way, they were each comfortably at the bottom of their pools in both points and scoring differential. Thankfully there is the new Americas Rugby Cup to look forward to, as there is much work to be done behind the scenes if the Japan tournament is to be any different.

Canada
Just when it looked like the Canucks were going to get a result, a disastrous half hour in Leicester resigned them to their worst ever World Cup finish. Zero wins from four with not even a draw to save some face. They might have had some bad luck along the way – injuries, a crappy schedule, and dodgy ref calls certainly didn’t help – but the results speak for themselves. Major repair work is needed if Canada is to fulfill their undoubted potential.

Ireland’s Chances
They might have won the battle, but have they already lost the war? Though a courageous effort put them well clear of an underwhelming France, poor Ireland suffered a miserable day at the office with four key players injured and another cited. Peter O’Mahony and captain Paul O’Connell have already dropped out, and the other three are in serious doubt for the quarter final. With Jared Payne already departed, will there be anyone left to face Argentina?

USA
Like their northern cousins, the Eagles just could not get anything going in the World Cup. Losing massively influential Scott LaValla and leaving out the charismatic Todd Clever didn’t do them any favours, and while some players had their moments, others just didn’t quite pull their weight. Focusing on their domestic issues looks to be the priority moving forward. Will there be a professional league in America come this time four years from now?

World Rugby Citing Commission
Is there anyone more out of touch with the game? It’s fine and dandy that the powers-that-be want to ‘clean up’ the sport and take out all the naughty stuff that used to go on, but some of the suspensions that have been doled out in the tournament have been pantomime at best. Mariano Galarza’s was hard to comprehend, Nick Blevins has just received a ridiculous five week ban, and that’s not to mention the absolute nonsensical Alesana Tuilagi decision. If three officials and a TMO – all of whom watch and adjudicate rugby professionally and have been selected as the best among their peers around the world – haven’t deemed these incidents red card worthy, why on earth are we putting these players in front of a judiciary? It beggars belief.