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Uruguay have been identified by World Rugby as a country of great promise, and formally achieved promotion to Tier 2 status last year. A co-operative relationship with neighbors Argentina have given them access to coaching resources and personnel, not least Esteban Meneses, regarded in Argentine circles as one of the brightest young coaches in South American rugby. The introduction of a centralized program based at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo and the addition of the Americas Rugby Championship have proved significant boosts to the developing nation.
2016 ARC
Los Teros were a bit of a surprise package in last year’s tournament. A slow start against Canada on the opening weekend was followed by three wins from four, with their only loss a 24-21 defeat to eventual champions Argentina. The 29-25 win over the Eagles in Montevideo capped a promising tournament that exhibited a new desire to play attacking rugby rather than their traditional forwards-heavy approach of the past.
POST-ARC 2016
With more time together their form continued to improve, and they stepped up their efforts by first winning the South American ‘A’ Championship and again pushing the Argentina XV, falling by 18-8 but proving their narrow loss in the ARC was no fluke. The World Rugby Nations Cup tournament in June came with mixed results. A two-point loss to Emerging Italy was a minor setback but the 40-0 thrashing at the hands of Romania was a disaster. They rebounded with a win over Spain and regrouped for the Americas Pacific Challenge, which they would host.
The APC allowed them a change to try new players and combinations under the Uruguay ‘A’ banner and like the Nations Cup it came with positives and negatives. A strong opening match saw them nearly upset Samoa but then they let their standards drop significantly against Argentina in what was easily their worst performance of the year. To their credit, their best performance followed straight after with a record win over the USA.
November was another first for Uruguayan rugby, a fully-fledged tour to Europe with matches against Germany, Spain, and Romania. Injuries and availability affected performance but the results must still be viewed as disappointing, particularly the shock defeat to Germany in the first week. Despite the losses the team will have learned greatly from the experience and for young players like Gonzalo Soto and Manuel Blengio the exposure to test rugby intensity is invaluable.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
After initially coming through as a loosehead prop, Facundo Gattas looks to be settling in at the hooker position. His graduation from the national u20 program has been immediate, with his physical strength and commitment to the tackle marking him as a player of promise. With established trio Carlos Arboleya, Germán Kessler, and Martín Espiga all unavailable, Gattas will get the first crack at proving he has what it takes to be a long-term solution to a competitive position.
Surely the most exiting young talent to emerge from the Uruguay ‘A’ campaign in the Campeonato Argentino is flanker Rodolfo Garese. Formerly a highly rated midfielder at age grade level, his height and speed have seen him shifted to the back row where his athleticism is a rarity in Uruguayan rugby. Having been promoted so quickly through the ranks few outside the country will give any thought to his presence in the side. If he performs as expected, that will change dramatically over the next few weeks.
One prospect who opponents should now be keenly aware of is scrumhalf Santiago Arata. Since he first represented the u20 side as a 17-year-old he has been earmarked for the Teros. Coach Meneses has introduced him slowly to give his body more time to adapt to the physical nature of test rugby. Arata still has some filling out to do, but his speed off the mark makes him very dangerous around the fringes and his quick decision making will give his side a fighting chance to get on the front foot.
Now a veteran of 29 caps and three full years of test rugby, Rodrigo Silva has established himself as one of Uruguay’s most talented footballers. His preference might be to play flyhalf but his most effective position looks to be fullback. With good speed and an eye for the gap, Silva is effective both as a counter-attacker and an extra man to create overlaps where none exist.
VERDICT
Uruguay have a chance to match or even improve on their 3-2 record of last year, though it will not be easy. The absence of key players like regular captain Juan Manuel Gaminara and first choice tighthead prop Mario Sagario, not to mention European-based halfbacks Agustín Ormaechea and Felipe Berchesi, for some or all of the Championship will test their strength in depth. Getting off to a competent start against the Eagles in San Antonio will go a long way to building confidence. The real target will be to win their final three matches, all at home, with Canada the toughest of the bunch. An identical fourth finish to last year’s fourth place looks most likely.
