Up and Under

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

Canada 7s
An outstanding day one from Canada at the Wellington 7s saw them producing their best opening-day effort at an HSBC Sevens Series tournament in three years. Head Coach Damian McGrath could not have asked for a better start to 2017 as his charges emerged with a perfect three-from-three to top Pool D and earn a place in the Cup quarter finals for the first time since London in May 2015. Despite losing two matches on Day Two, the 4th place finish represents one of their best ever tournaments and shows a marked improvement from the 13th spot achieved at each of the opening two rounds of the circuit. Adam Zaruba was named to the official HSBC Dream Team.

Argentina 7s
Argentina defeated New Zealand in the Wellington 7s. The win over the All Blacks on their home turf gave Los Pumas 7s 5th place in the tournament. The match was Argentina’s third of the day. Earlier on Argentina fell to a 17-12 defeat at the hands of Canada before recovering to topple France Argentina 19-14 France. The loss against Canada at the Quarter Finals stage sent Canada into the Cup Semi Finals while Argentina contested what used to be known as the Plate, taking on the host nation. Argentina’s victory over New Zealand was well deserved. Lautaro Bazán led the way with two tries while replacement Franco Sábato also crossed. Sábato’s score sealed the victory for the South Americans.

Americas Players in Top 14
Martín Bustos Moyano completed his return from injury to score the match winning try for Bayonne. Fighting to avoid relegation, Bayonne saw off Brive 33-23. Taku Ngwenya scored for Brive. Benjamín Urdapilleta came on for Castres to land a conversion. In the second division there were also points scored from Americas’ players. Agustín Oremachea, Taylor Paris, and Eric Fry all scored tries this weekend. Sebastián Poet kicked four penalties for Charente.

Americas Players in Anglo-Welsh Cup
Also performing well were players from the Americas in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. Former Puma Belisario Agulla scored a try in Newcastle’s win over the Dragons. AJ MacGinty kicked two goals for the Sale Sharks. They crushed the Cardiff Blues whom were captained this weekend by Cam Dolan. Joe Taufete’e continued his impressive form for Worcester, scoring his first try as a professional.

Uruguayan Professionals
Two Uruguayan players secured their playing future this past week. Castres captain Rodrigo Capó Ortega signed a new one-year deal with his club. It will see him completing an amazing 16 years for the same Top 14 club. He went on to lead Castres to a very win over Montpellier on Saturday. Earlier in the week his countryman Nicolás Freitas made history. The Carrasco Polo back has signed a one year contract to play Super Rugby for Los Jaguares and has also signed on as Uruguay’s first ever centrally-contracted professional. The Super Rugby agreement speaks volumes of Argentina’s relationship with their eastern neighbors.

Kyle Baillie
The Canadian forward has joined up with Aviva Premiership club Saracens on trial and suited up for the team in Friday’s Anglo-Welsh Cup match against Scarlets. A blindside flanker or lock, sources indicate that a short term deal as an injury dispensation signing is on offer, with a full-time place at a Greene King IPA Championship club for the rest of the season also available. Should he come to an agreement with the club, he would join Evan Olmstead, Jake Ilnicki, and Connor Braid in the Premiership. By all accounts Baillie played well on Friday but was forced off with four minutes to play as precaution after taking a head knock.

 

UNDER

Wellington 7s
Oh how the mighty have fallen. A decade ago the Wellington 7s was so successful there were fans suggesting it was as big as Hong Kong. Now the event is in imminent danger of being discontinued. Enhanced liquor regulations and elevated police presence have been blamed by many for the nosedive in attendance. This year’s tournament saw it akin to the deplorable Glasgow stop which was dumped in favor of Paris in 2016 by World Rugby. Wellington had been awarded the tournament rights until 2019 but that now looks all but certain to be rescinded. A decision is expected over the coming weeks as to continue or terminate the event, potentially moving it to Auckland, Dunedin, or even abroad.

Good Riddance Cardiff
Having been able to miraculously move World Cup matches from France and England to Cardiff in 2007 and 2015, this will not occur in 2023. The madness which unfolded, from deals struck by unions in 1999, saw Wales hosting pool games and a staggering three Quarter Finals. From Nantes to Cardiff to Bordeaux was what Canada did in 2007. A similar fate was possible for 2023 should Ireland be allocated hosting rights, but this past week World Rugby confirmed that Wales have officially annulled their standing agreement, meaning the 2023 World Cup will be a one-nation only affair. France, Ireland and South Africa are those in the running for hosting rights.

Three-Year Residency Player Eligibility
Another week gone and another one with the player eligibility laws seriously questioned. Scotland is one union fighting against the change. It is not hard to understand why. The SRU actively invests in uncapped players for their own purposes. WP Nel, Josh Strauss, and Tim Visser  all played for Scotland at Rugby World Cup 2015. The man who selected them, Vern Cotter came out this past week to back the widespread calls to change the controversial law. He believes that World Rugby ought to increase residency qualification from three years to five, matching that being called upon from senior World Rugby staff and a growing number of unions.

Facundo Isa, Juan Pablo Estelles
Pumas in 2016 but in 2017 the door is closing fast. Isa is set to walk out on a UAR contract to instead return to play in France. In doing so he would not be able to continue his Pumas career until back at home. The deal with Toulon is set to be for three years and starting in October. Learning of the move the UAR acted to block Isa from Jaguares training this past week. Northampton winger Estelles was expected home for Super Rugby. With him instead signing an extended deal in England he will not be considered for international duty. This leaves only Tomás Cubelli outside the Jaguares who may play for Los Pumas this year.

Martín Landajo
Los Jaguares have suffered a serious blow to their early Super Rugby plans as vice-captain Landajo suffered a broken fibula in training. The star scrumhalf went down just five minutes into a contact scrimmage between the Jaguares players, landing awkwardly under a Leonardo Senatore tackle and immediately doubling over in pain. Landajo could be out of action for as long as three months after undergoing surgical repair during the week. Also injured this past week was Matías Moroni. The first-choice Jaguares outside center suffered an injury to his right elbow, ruling him out for three weeks.

Langilangi Haupeakui
Haupeakui has officially left the Glasgow Warriors. The club confirmed the news in a brief statement on their website, citing ‘family reasons’ for the San Mateo native’s decision not to return to Scotland following the holiday break. It ends his stay having played only four games for the newly-qualified Champions Cup quarter finalists, and brings an abrupt end to what was originally a two-year deal at one of the top clubs in Europe. The outcome is unlikely to impress other potential suitors and Haupeakui may find it difficult to find a new club willing to take a chance on him in the immediate future.