Match Preview – Uruguay vs Brazil

Brazil enter the third round of the Americas Rugby Championship with a better record then their hosts and yet Uruguay are still undeniable favorites, and for good reason. Los Teros, of course, are two-time World Cup participants and have competed against the best in the Americas regularly for many years. More importantly, Brazil have not defeated Uruguay in a test match since 1964. They nearly pulled off a memorable upset during last year’s competition, losing by an agonizing four points, but Uruguay stretched the differential to 22 in the South American ‘A’ Championship two months later.

Neither side enters the match in great form. Os Tupis were trounced by the Eagles in Texas to the tune of 51-3. Uruguay fared slightly better against the Argentina XV but the scoreline wasn’t far off at 57-12. Both had much better opening rounds, with the Teros giving the USA a scare in San Antonio and Brazil defeating Chile in São Paulo.

Perhaps sensing a Brazilian backlash and unwilling to take any risks, Esteban Meneses has selected his strongest available Uruguayan side to right the ship. First choice tighthead prop Mario Sagario returns as his respected understudy Juan Echeverría moves to the bench. Diego Ayala replaces Diego Magno in the second row, adding his 1.99m (6’6″) frame to the lineout, and an extra 9kg (2olbs) to the scrum.

Regular captain Juan Manuel Gaminara is recovered from injury and takes the place of youngster Rodolfo Garese. Gaminara is a completely different style and body shape to Garese, stocky and combative with a less subtle approach in attack. Gaminara’s return also allows Alejandro Nieto a chance to concentrate on his game. He was very strong against the Eagles, but had a forgettable afternoon in Bahía Blanca. It’s interesting to note that Uruguay have six forwards on the bench, suggesting that Gaminara will be closely monitored during the match with a rest in the final quarter likely pre-planned.

The backs have made only two changes, but both add steel. Andrés Vilaseca takes over from the courageous Juan de Freitas at inside center, with the former offering more options on attack. Leandro Leivas replaces the unfortunate Francisco Berchesi on the right wing. The two could not be more opposite. Leivas will be the heaviest back on the pitch and uses his low center of gravity to bump off would-be tacklers.

Rodolfo Ambrosio’s disappointment with the result in Texas is reflected in his selections. Flanker André Arruda and João Luiz da Ros have been benched in favor of Matheus Daniel and Cléber Dias. Daniel is a classic openside, light and quick to the breakdown. Dias is a highly promising 22-year-old who makes his first appearance in this year’s ARC. He is tall and athletic, more than useful in the lineout.

With Jonatas Paulo and Yan Rosetti both ruled out it will be Brazil’s most-capped player of all time Daniel Danielewicz starting at hooker with the massive figure of Pedro Bengaló beside at tighthead prop. Wilton Rebolo shifts to loosehead, and Diego López is recalled in the second row in place of Luiz Vieira.

The backs remain Brazil’s strong point but they were given little chance to attack against the Eagles. Josh Reeves opted to kick away most of the possession, a poor strategy, and the Sancery brothers were never brought into the game. Reeves will have to move the ball if the Tupis are to challenge Uruguay. The cross-kick may however be an option with tall winger Robert Tenório a significant mismatch for his opposite Nicolás Freitas in the air.

Above all both teams will be focused on improving their defense, which was a major problem for each last weekend. With rain expected in Maldonado there should be plenty of tackling practice. The weather should also favor Uruguay’s superior set piece, which could prove the decisive factor if Brazil’s backs are again starved of possession.

 

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Martín Espiga, 3 Mario Sagario, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Diego Ayala, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 7 Gonzalo Soto, 8 Alejandro Nieto, 9 Santiago Arata, 10 Germán Albanell, 11 Nicolás Freitas, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Juan Manuel Cat, 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Rodrigo Silva

Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Matías Benítez, 18 Juan Echeverría, 19 Lorenzo Surraco, 20 Juan Diego Ormaechea, 21 Guillermo Lijtenstein, 22 Gastón Gibernau, 23 Manuel Diana

BRAZIL
1 Wilton Rebolo, 2 Daniel Danielewicz, 3 Pedro Bengaló, 4 Lucas Piero, 5 Diego López, 6 Matheus Daniel, 7 Cléber Dias, 8 Nick Smith (capt.), 9 Matheus Cruz, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 De Wet van Niekerk, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 Robert Tenório, 15 Daniel Sancery

Replacements: 16 Endy Willian, 17 Vitor Ancina, 18 Matheus Rocha, 19 André Arruda, 20 João Luiz da Ros, 21 Beukes Cremer, 22 Luan Smanio, 23 Ariel Rodrigues

 

Date: Saturday, February 18
Venue: Estadio Domingo Burgueño, Maldonado
Kickoff: 20:00 local (18:00 Eastern, 21:00 Brasilia)
Referee: Pablo De Luca (UAR)
Assistants: Joaquín Montes (URU) & Francisco González (URU)
Broadcasts: ESPN Brasil, The Rugby Channel, TSN GO