Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Americas Rugby Championship is back… and that means it’s time for predictions! Never keen to disappoint, once again we have compiled some of the bravest pundits in the Americas to run the rule over the competition. This week the magic number is 10… the number of prognosticators we have lined up for scrutiny and ridicule.
Representing the USA are:
Curtis Reed, iron-fisted founder of This Is American Rugby;
Dan Mason, minder of the Rugby Global extension of Rugby United;
Doug Coil, purveyor of all that involves American rugby at DJ Coil Rugby among others;
Jake Frechette, patron saint of numbers for Rugby Today;
Junior Blaber, the original Rugby Rain Man of Rugby Wrap Up fame;
and Ted Hardy, heroic and virtuous champion of the US division of ARN.
From the paradise that is South America:
Ignacio Chans, intrepid scribe of El Observador and Uruguayan rugby fame;
Paul Tait, everlasting know-it-all whose gaze stretches from Ushuaia to Uribia;
Victor Ramalho, keeper of records for Portal do Rugby in Brazil.
And from the icy north in remote Canada:
Bryan Ray, miserable hermit consigned to life under the tundra.
Let the games begin!
| February 3-4, 2017 |
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| Bryan Ray Americas Rugby News |
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| Curtis Reed This Is American Rugby |
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| Dan Mason Rugby United |
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| Doug Coil DJ Coil Rugby |
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| Ignacio Chans El Observador |
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| Jake Frechette Rugby Today |
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| Junior Blaber Rugby Wrap Up |
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| Paul Tait Americas Rugby News |
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| Ted Hardy Americas Rugby News |
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| Victor Ramalho Portal do Rugby |
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BRAZIL (36) vs CHILE (29)
Friday, February 3, 20:15 Brasilia, Estádio do Pacaembu, São Paulo
The most contentious match of the weekend, Brazil have emerged as the slight favorites at home.
BR: This is a difficult choice. Chile should be better prepared with a new coach but are missing some important players. Brazil have improved markedly over the last 12 months and with the New Zealander Josh Reeves tasked with getting the ball to like Sancery twins, that could be enough to get the win, particularly with the support of the home crowd.
CR: Brazil are making improvements but Chile seem like they are getting things together for a strong run.
DM: It was a super-close game last year in Chile and it’s tough not to like Brazil’s chances at home.
IC: Last year Chile won in Santiago by a tight scoreline. At Pacaembu during the South American Championship it was a draw. The Chileans are working well at 7s but not in XVs. In a close encounter now is an opportune time for Brazil.
JF: My suspicion is that Brazil is going to continue to improve and one hopes Chile can keep up.
PT: Chile remain the higher ranked of the two and more settled. If they show up they will win.
TH: The steady rise from Brazil continues and they’ll aim to get their ARC off to a good start.
VR: Pacaembu will again host one of the most anticipated South American clashes nowadays, Brazil against Chile. Os Tupis are no longer underdogs against Los Cóndores, but they haven’t defeated the Andeans since 2014. It is their time to prevail again in front of São Paulo’s passionate crowd.
USA (17) vs URUGUAY (21)
Saturday, February 4, 15:10 Central, Toyota Field, San Antonio
The Eagles are clear favorites here, but there is one who feels that Los Teros could get the upset.
BR: I can’t see Los Teros getting the victory but they have a couple players who will surprise the Eagles and make it much closer than it appears on paper.
CR: With overseas pros like AJ MacGinty and Blaine Scully playing they will make all the difference.
DC: The USA will be at it’s strongest for the first two matches.
DM: Tough sledding for Uruguay in Texas. Add that to the disinterested form we last saw them in on their European tour and a stronger American 23 than last year’s encounter, give me the Eagles in this one.
IC: The USA has put together their strongest possible lineup for the ARC debut match against Uruguay. A number of players are to shortly join the team from Europe. For Uruguay, coming off poor performances in the November Internationals, it is not just another match. They must deliver an altogether different performance, looking ahead to the RWC qualifiers. Expect to see a much better organized defensive arrangement from that under Coach Meneses in 2016. This will make for a close match that could be determined by the goal kickers and I predict that Germán Albanell will come away as the hero in a surprising upset win by Los Teros.
JF: Playing at home matters greatly in this rivalry.
PT: The Eagles to have too much power in the tight forwards and pace to burn out wide.
TH: Turmoil abounds in the USA. That said, it’s hard to imagine them dropping this match on home soil. Uruguay will make them earn it but the Eagles win.
VR: Playing at home against an Uruguayan team that arrives in North America after bad moments in Europe makes the Eagles clear favorites. If the PRO nightmare doesn’t affect USA’s focus, all favours the home team.
CANADA (18) vs ARGENTINA XV (9)
Saturday, February 4, 17:00 Pacific, Westhills Stadium, Langford
The defending champions are near unanimous choices to win, with only one dissenter.
BR: I’m going to try and take my patriotism out of my choices this year. There are some exciting talents in the Canadian lineup but those named in the Argentina XV are further down the road in their development. Canada will play with passion at home but Argentina will do enough to win, with their very quick loose forward trio particularly noticeable.
CR: They look like the team to beat this year.
DC: Canada has the best opportunity to beat Argentina XV when they are at the strongest at home.
DM: Argentina crushed it (and Canada along the way) in the ARC last year. This season’s Pumas XV roster has a lot of great talent in it as well. Even on the road, I’ll still snag them as 11 point winners.
IC: Last year the Argentina XV comfortably won 54-21, in Rosario.In the Americas Pacific Challenge, in Montevideo, it was another Argentine triumph, bu 56-29. In respect to this tournament Canada has improved its roster, and will have home advantage on its side in Langford. But Argentina continues to be a better team.
JF: Expecting the Argentina XV to play quickly and try and catch Canada napping once or twice.
PT: Either side could take this game but the Argentina XV enters as slight favorites.
TH: Even on the road, the Argentinian XV is well better than any other side in the ARC. Canada will put up a fight on home soil, but it wont be enough.
VR: The Argies won’t have an ease time in Langford, specially after having suffered a geavy defeat their fellow Jaguar. But Canada won’t use some key Europe-based players, what undermines Canucks’ chances. Argentina is still the favorite for the title and this is their most difficult challenge.
