Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Yesterday we looked at the status of international front row players in the Americas, and saw that Argentina – with or without Los Jaguares – have a clear advantage over their friends to the north and neighbors Uruguay. Today we move to the second row, and find the numbers a little bit more even.
While it’s often a case of pairing your two best big men in the engine room, many teams look at the two positions as having different requirements. The heftier scrummager is typically played on the tighthead side of the scrum, with the taller lineout specialist on the left. In the Americas the numbers typically correspond from left to right, with the loosehead lock wearing no4 and the tighthead wearing no5.
While the lists below make a loose attempt to separate the specialists, more consideration was given to simply including the top eight locks available. The two groups have thus been separated more for viewing ease rather than than technical ability.
Disclaimer:
These are not official depth charts, but attempt to replicate recent selection history as closely as possible. In virtually every case, an absent player who might currently be more appropriate shares the same status – pro or amateur – as the player included. Players included are those considered for the World Cup. In some cases those players have since retired from international rugby. Players are listed by their most recent club affiliation.
It’s important to note that some ‘amateur’ players in the Americas are not entirely unpaid. Some players receive a monthly stipend to supplement their income, particularly those on the World Sevens Series. A significant portion of those retain full-time jobs outside of their rugby commitment. While these players might not be truly ‘amateur’ in the strictest sense, for the purpose of this exercise those who are not full-time employees of a professional fifteen-a-side club or franchise will be considered so.
No4 LOCK
Once again we have strong options for the Pumas, with all four fully pro and only impressive youngster Guido Petti without overseas experience. While a couple veterans like Agustin Smidth (Bobigny) remain in the north, the switch to a preference of local players has seen strong players like Franco Baldoni (BACRC) and top prospect Manuel Plaza (Jockey Salta) stay in country.
Canada have traditionally been strong in the second row and while they might not have as many locks at the elite level, they have a number who are fully pro. Aaron Flagg is the latest to join the ranks, though he is currently being utilized as a blindside flank by Moseley. Evan Olmstead remains unsigned though he did have a contract with the Greater Sydney Rams until missing out on the NRC due to World Cup selection.
Los Teros are again amateur, though Franco Lamanna spent last season with Italian club Perugia.
USA have converted Cam Dolan into a lock giving them another pro option at lock, while Mike Lawrenson played with Counties Manukau in this year’s ITM Cup but has since returned and named head coach of Palmer College. Nick Civetta is in his third season in Italy, currently with Medicei, but appears to have been leap-frogged by Ben Landry at the moment. Victor Comptat is currently on an academy contract at Brive after moving from Toulon in the off-season.
| ARG | ||
| Guido Petti | Jaguares (ARG) | PRO |
| Mariano Galarza | Gloucester (ENG) | PRO |
| Manuel Carizza | Racing 92 (FRA) | PRO |
| Juan Cruz Guillemaín | Jaguares (ARG) | PRO |
| CAN | ||
| Brett Beukeboom | Cornish Pirates (ENG) | PRO |
| Evan Olmstead | Parramatta (AUS) | AMATEUR |
| Tyler Hotson | Doncaster (ENG) | PRO |
| Aaron Flagg | Moseley (ENG) | PRO |
| URU | ||
| Santiago Vilaseca | Old Boys (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Franco Lamanna | Carrasco Polo (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Mathías Palomeque | Trébol Paysandú (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Ignacio Dotti | Los Cuervos (URU) | AMATEUR |
| USA | ||
| Hayden Smith | Saracens (ENG) | PRO |
| Cameron Dolan | Cardiff Blues (WAL) | PRO |
| Ben Landry | Seattle Saracens (USA) | AMATEUR |
| Mike Lawrenson | Counties Manukau (NZL) | AMATEUR |
No5 LOCK
The stocks are full on the other side of the scrum as well for Argentina, with only Matías Alemanno absent European experience, though not without offers. Of course left out is Toulouse giant Patricio Albacete, who was dropped after a disagreement with Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade. Damian Panizzo (Colomiers) is another currently residing in France.
Options for Canada here are decent if a bit transitional, as Jamie Cudmore is surely approaching the end of his career and Cam Pierce still relatively green but on the rise at Pau. Callum Morrison has no pro experience but did spend time playing club rugby in New Zealand.
Uruguay’s best lock sadly withdrew from the World Cup due to family commitments and is almost certainly finished with international rugby. The rest are amateur, and while solid players lack a bit of height making it difficult to pick up pro contracts elsewhere.
Louis Stanfill spent time in Italy before returning to American shores. News that Tai Tuisamoa had signed in France this season appear to have been premature, and his current status is unclear, though it appears he has returned to San Diego. Christian Ostberg, meanwhile, is currently at Aurillac and looks set to step into international consideration in the near future.
| ARG | ||
| Tomás Lavanini | Jaguares (ARG) | PRO |
| Matías Alemanno | Jaguares (ARG) | PRO |
| Gerónimo Albertario | Dax (FRA) | PRO |
| Tomás Vallejos | Aix-en-Provence (FRA) | PRO |
| CAN | ||
| Jamie Cudmore | Clermont Auvergne (FRA) | PRO |
| Jon Phelan | Doncaster (ENG) | PRO |
| Cameron Pierce | Pau (FRA) | PRO |
| Callum Morrison | UBCOB Ravens (CAN) | AMATEUR |
| URU | ||
| Rodrigo Capó Ortega | Castres (FRA) | PRO |
| Jorge Zerbino | Old Christians (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Cristofer Soares de Lima | Montevideo Cricket Club (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Gonzalo Soto | Old Boys (URU) | AMATEUR |
| USA | ||
| Greg Peterson | Glasgow Warriors (SCO) | PRO |
| Louis Stanfill | Seattle Saracens (USA) | AMATEUR |
| Tai Tuisamoa | London Scottish (ENG) | PRO |
| Graham Harriman | James Bay (CAN) | AMATEUR |
SECOND ROW SUMMARY
Argentina are strongest again, with lots of pro options, but the playing field is slightly less skewed. Canada have several pros and some good prospects on the way, while the Eagles are in a similar position. Uruguay are again virtually absent professional talent in the second row.
Tomorrow we look at the hyper-competitive back row options for the Americas.
