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

Uruguay
Los Teros got the result they wanted on Saturday evening, defeating Canada 17-13 in Maldonado. It marks the first time that Los Teros have defeated Canada since August of 2002. With that Uruguay jumps above the North Americans in the Americas Rugby Championship and rise to 21st in the World Rankings, just millimeters behind Canada who retain their 20th spot by the skin of their teeth. Uruguay started so strongly that they were well ahead by the half. It will certainly give them confidence heading into future matches.

Argentina XV
The Argentina XV hammered Brazil in Tierra del Fuego on Saturday. The home side powered to a 12 tries to 1 victory, with players standing up to underline their credentials as Super Rugby hopefuls. Sebastián Cancelliere was again on the score sheet for multiple tries. Tomás de la Vega and Lautaro Bazán also got doubles. Imposing second row Ignacio Larrague was another who impressed. He gives Los Jaguares an additional option to call upon when required.

USA
A six-try second half propelled the US Eagles to a 57-9 win over Chile in Americas Rugby Championship action on Saturday afternoon. The scrappy beginning saw the hosts frustrate their guests leaving the halftime score a reasonably close 17-6, but the final half hour of the match was thoroughly dominated by the visitors to seal another blowout victory. The result sets up a winner-take-all final round clash between the USA and the Argentina XV in Patagonia next Saturday.

Fresh Jaguares Signings
Three more players have signed contract extensions with the Jaguares. Following the six previously announced, props Enrique Pieretto and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro as well as flanker Javier Ortega Desio have re-signed with the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) through to the end of the 2019 season. In doing so it ensures that the trio will be available to the Pumas through to Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. This gives Daniel Hourcade a solid platform to build upon.

Jaguares
Los Jaguares opened their Super Rugby season with an away win over the Kings. The 39-26 result was not enough to collect a bonus point but it ultimately saw the Argentine team completing the task at hand. The performance earned a pass mark but there is plenty to work on. Next up is a tough assignment, playing away to the Stormers in Cape Town next weekend. Changes are expected with Javier Desio Ortega, Nicólas Sánchez, and Juan Martín Hernández all expected to be fit.

Emiliano Boffelli
The return of highly promising outside back Emiliano Boffelli was also a notable event from the weekend. Coming on at fullback during halftime for the Argentina XV, Boffelli looked a class apart on the field and looks to be fully recovered from the knee injury suffered last May. He should get one more crack at the Americas Rugby Championship before rejoining the Jaguares. Should he pick up where he left off last year, expect to see him in the first Pumas squad of the year come June.

 

UNDER

Canada
Canada find themselves outside of the top half in the Americas Rugby Championship as they crashed to defeat in Uruguay. This reality is nothing short of extraordinary. Their last task will be to avoid a loss against Brazil in São Paulo. With Uruguay hosting Chile the North Americans are all but certain to finish below Los Teros. Both countries were missing key players to European club duty. It also looks increasingly likely that the two meet in Americas zone World Cup qualification later this year.

Brazil
Os Tupis were simply thrashed this weekend. The comprehensive 79-7 score saw Brazil overpowered and unable to respond to what was a second half onslaught in Ushuaia. The Argentina XV was significantly better than Brazil and, not for the first time, Os Tupis were unable to match up in any way with their opponents. Chile’s loss one week earlier displayed a team competing much more seriously than that of Brazil on Saturday. While Brazil got the win over Chile in the opening round, any optimism of development aught to be cautioned.

Chile
Los Cóndores ultimately lost by a heavy margin but they made the Eagles work for their win. Were it not for the second half capitulation then Chile may have run the USA close. Chile has fundamental problems which are attached to amateurism. Until these are addressed the dream of qualifying for a World Cup will not be realized.

Argentina’s Ranking
Hopes continue to fade of Argentina avoiding a Pool of Death at Rugby World Cup 2019. In losing to Wales, Scotland, and England in November, Argentina fell to 9th in the world. Los Pumas retain the position and results this far in the Six Nations have failed to change this. Updated rankings today from World Rugby will confirm Argentina remains 9th in the world. Having fallen to Ireland, France is to be 8th and Wales 7th. Scotland will now be ranked 5th. Argentina blew the opportunity to defeat Scotland in November. Had Los Pumas won then the South Americans would be safe for a comfortable draw for Japan 2019.

Facundo Isa, Juan Pablo Estelles
Isa’s move to France has been no secret. This past week, however, it was made official. The Pumas star arrived in Lyon where he will play before joining Toulon next season. As such he will not play at all for Argentina until 2019. Also securing his future in Europe is Juan Pablo Estelles. The winger signed a new deal with Northampton. It means the 2016 Pumas debutante will miss out on playing test rugby until at least the 2018 Rugby Championship.