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

Daniel Hourcade
A World Cup Semi Final loss left the Argentine coach in tears. He, however, had no reason to feel disappointed or sad as he gave it his all as did each and every one of his players. Australia’s early lead proved decisive but had Argentina played like the teams old old then the chances of a fight back would have been slim. Hourcade has done wonders in quick time. The coming four years should see more noteworthy results and a strong side for 2019 is certain.

DTH van der Merwe
The Canadian winger continued his fine form this weekend by running in a try for Scarlets in their Guinness Pro 12 home win over Munster in Llanelli on Friday. Having scored last weekend too and also crossing in each of Canada’s World Cup pool matches the former Glasgow Warrior has a streak.

Dan Carter
New Zealand deserves to play in the World Cup Final. This is beyond question. The team, though, owes so much to one player – Dan Carter. It was his decision making, accuracy and general play which proved instrumental in the All Blacks winning on Saturday. It is no exaggeration to suggest the result could very well have been different without his involvement.

FERUCHI
Chile’s governing body joined Brazil’s in confirming the fixtures for the 2016 Americas Rugby Cup. The groundbreaking competition will enable both countries to face Argentina, Canada, Uruguay and the USA in a legitimate regional championship. Feruchi confirmed that Chile will play Brazil, Canada and Uruguay at home and Argentina and the USA in away matches.

Eymard Brizuela and Horacio Aguero
The Paraguayan players are now in France preparing to play in the country’s fifth division. For Paraguay it is an extremely noteworthy feat and it is hoped that it will open doors for others in the future. Paraguay plays in South America’s top tier, the Sudamerica A.

UNDER

Ospreys / Cardiff Blues
The club which is home to Canadians Jeff Hassler and Tyler Ardron has started the Guinness Pro 12 season poorly. After five rounds the club has just one win, the same as neighbors Cardiff Blues. Cam Dolan debuted for the Blues this weekend but both teams are well off the pace. Below them are the Italian sides of which Zebre enjoyed a first win of the season this weekend.

Stade Français
The Gonzalo Quesada coached Parisians lost again this weekend to sink to 12th position after six rounds. The 2015 Top 14 winners are currently ahead only of Oyonnax and Agen and their 27-18 loss against Racing 92 this weekend was another lacking penetration. Other notable teams including Clermont and Toulouse also lost this weekend.

Mike Tolkin
After laying low for so long former USA Eagles captain Todd Clever spoke out against Eagles Head Coach Mike Tolkin this past week and came out of it as the moral winner. Tolkin’s decision to drop Clever was extremely controversial and did far more harm than good. The chances of Tolkin remaining USA coach are very slim while Clever has stated he now wants to earn his way back into the team.

World Cup Refereeing
Referees are human and do make mistakes. We are told again and again that they have to call the game in a manner which is fair for both teams. In Sunday’s Semi Final Tomás Lavanini was yellow carded for a no-arms tackle while James Slipper got away with performing the same tackle later in the match. Slipper also repeatedly infringed at scrums earning four penalties. In other matches players are warned after two and shown yellow after three.

World Rugby defending some, not mentioning others
Hours before a Semi Final between Argentina and Australia reading that the All Blacks coach thinking Richie McCaw did nothing is far from being important. For some reason World Rugby felt it important to post an article defending the New Zealand captain on Sunday as the second Semi Final game drew near. Similar instances from other teams received little to no publication by World Rugby during the World Cup. If World Rugby wishes to be a world organization then act like one and find the real stories.