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

Argentina
In years gone by Argentina has suffered greatly from the transition process which occurs in the year after Rugby World Cups. In 2016, however, it is looking likely that Argentina will not suffer such losses comparable to those in June 2008 and June 2012 against Scotland, Italy and France. Indeed, such was the performance of Los Pumas on Saturday against the Barbarians that the South Americans can now prepare for Super Rugby and subsequent involvements full with confidence. The youth on display in London earned a mountain of praise to underline the successes of the PladAR system.

Guatemala
It is an exciting time for Guatemalan rugby as the country is finding itself being very advantaged from geography as it is riding the wave of regional growth. The national men’s and women’s teams faced El Salvador’s on Sunday and both came away with wins. The men’s teams are to be joined by Costa Rica and Panama in the South American C Championship next month. Firstly, though, Guatemala will play away to Honduras next weekend in Santa Barbara. With all of Central America’s countries now having test rugby teams the advantages are to be shared by all.

Northern California
Two of the USA’s six PRO Rugby cities have been confirmed and both are not only from the same part of the country nor the same state but, in fact, are neighbors. Sacramento and San Francisco haver been unveiled as the homes of professional rugby teams and, importantly, both have been important to the sport in the country. So much so that big name players based abroad at present such as Todd Clever, Eric Fry, Samu Manoa, Thretton Palamo and Blaine Scully are from either Sacramento or the Bay Area.

Jillion Potter
In a week in which the world lost the great Jonah Lomu there was positive news of the opposite variety as Jillion Potter was named on the USA women’s Rugby Sevens roster for the upcoming world series which starts in Dubai. The remarkable recover from cancer could now very possibly see Potter playing in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Buenos Aires
After a six year drought Buenos Aires returned to the top of Argentine rugby this weekend. With a 57-14 win over 2014 champions Tucumán, Buenos Aires won the National Provincial Championship without losing a match. Bruno Devoto impressed from inside center, scoring a hat-trick while winger Gonzalo Gutiérrez Taboada crossed for two tries.

Premiership in Europe
It was six matches and six wins for the Aviva Premiership clubs this weekend in Europe. The perfect weekend saw Saracens winning 27-9 away against Ulster, Northampton toppling Glasgow 26-15 in Scotland and Leicester overpowering Treviso 36-3 in Italy. Bath, Exeter and the Wasps also all won their home matches.

UNDER

Chile
There is little point in trying to dress-up the result as Chile were utterly humiliated by Spain, a team they should be able to compete on even terms against. On Saturday in Torrelavega Spain completed a 54-10 hammering in what was a match serving as preparation for both ahead of continual competition in February. Spain will play in the European Nations Cup and Chile in the new Americas Rugby Cup. The result sees Spain very well positioned while Chile appears unlikely to be up to facing Argentina, Canada, Uruguay or the USA. Helping Spain was a large list of French players who qualify via residency. On evidence Spain has what it takes to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.

Pro 12 in Europe
While all of England’s teams were triumphant this weekend in Europe those from the Guinness Pro 12 were not. Glasgow, Leinster, the Ospreys, the Scarlets, Treviso, and Ulster all lost meaning all teams who played lost their fixtures. Munster did not play due to their game against Stade Français in Paris having been tackled due to the terrorism.

Clermont vs Ospreys Uniforms
Sunday’s European Rugby Champions Cup match between Clermont Auvergne and the Ospreys in Central France saw the home side playing in black rather than the traditional yellow while the Ospreys played in white and pink. Other uniforms were far from traditional as marketing continues to demand improvisation. Clermont vs Ospreys, though, was going overboard.

Uruguay XV
Having won the opening four rounds of the Zone B of the promotional division of the Torneo Argentino de Unions the Uruguay XV was in fine shape to push for promotion to the top division. An away loss this weekend in Bahía Blanca has complicated the possibility. Uruguay’s A side went down 24-19 against Sur and cannot afford to lose again. The result sees Sur on top with 18 points, three more than the Uruguay XV.