Uruguay Overcome Brazil in RWC Qualifier

Los Teros made it 2-0 on the road to Japan 2019. Uruguay overcame Brazil in a Rugby World Cup qualifier this afternoon, winning 41-27.

The result means Uruguay is the only undefeated team after two rounds. With a home game yet to come against Chile Uruguay are well placed to advance. The winner of the South American ‘A’ Championship will face the runner-up of the Canada vs USA World Cup qualifying series for a place in Japan 2019 as Americas 2.

Back from France for the match, Felipe Berchesi opened the scoring. An early penalty gave Los Teros a 3-0 advantage in the second minute. Three minutes later he added his second goal, this time a conversion. Scoring was winger Leandro Leivas.

The 10-0 lead was ominous. Brazil, though, fought back immediately. A determined drive from Os Tupis resulted in Moisés Duque getting them onto the board. His 14th minute strike cut the deficit to 11.

Looking to stop Brazil’s response, Los Teros captain Juan Manuel Gaminara led by example. The flanker went over for Uruguay’s second try, ending the opening quarter with a 17-3 lead.

A third try followed twelve minutes later and with it Uruguay looked like having the result secured before halftime. Again it was a flanker crossing but this time it was Franco Lamanna. Berchesi again made no mistake from the kicking tee.

A determined Brazil demonstrated just how much progress has been made. Prior to the Americas Rugby Championship the Tupis would likely have folded but not today. Instead a well-taken converted try from Moisés Duque in the 38th minute sent a warning to what was to come in the second half.

Celebrations quickly turned to concerns as Brazil were down to 14 men. Second-rower Gabriel Paganini was yellow carded and it gave Berchesi an opportunity to close the half with three more points.

Trailing 27-10 at half time Brazil needed to start the second half strongly and they very much did so. Fly half Josh Reeves started his strong second half by touching down. His try was converted by Moisés Duque.

Minutes later the scoreline was narrowed to 27-17. Reducing the deficit was Reeves who landed a well-judged drop goal. It proved to make the third quarter of the game extremely competitive.

Uruguay proved to have resilience. The team’s impressive scrum was responsible for the next points. Referee Juan Sylvestre awarded a penalty try as Uruguay drove forward and Brazil turned with the ball under the feet of Gonzalo Soto just short of the try line.

It took Brazil fourteen minutes to respond. Following the 56th minute penalty try it was not until the 70th minute until more points were scored. Veteran João Luiz da Ros went over for a try converted by Moisés Duque.

da Ros’ score gave Brazil hope of a late comeback. The scores were back to one try with Uruguay ahead 34-27. The Brazilian rugby dream of appearing in a first Rugby World Cup will not be realized in 2019 though. A last minute score from Leivas sent Os Tupis home.

Uruguay are to now prepare for a final round match against Chile. Playing at home Los Teros are the odds-on-favorites to win the South American ‘A’ Championship. Victory would also see Uruguay advancing to the final round of Americas qualifying for Japan 2019.

As a result of losing Brazil is now 0-2. The loss against Chile last weekend combined with today’s defeat means Brazil must now overcome Paraguay next weekend. The loser of that match will play in relegation against the winner of the South American ‘B’ Championship.

 

SCORING

URUGUAY 41
Tries – L. Leivas 2 (6’, 79′), J. Gaminara (22’), F. Lamanna (34’), Penalty try (55’)
Cons – F. Berchesi 4/4 (7’, 23’, 35’, 80’)
Pens – F. Berchesi 2/2 (2’, 40’)

BRAZIL 27
Tries – M. Duque (38’), M. Daniel (42’), J. da Ros (68’)
Cons – M. Duque 3/3 (39’, 43’, 69’)
Pens – M. Duque 1/1 (15’)
Drop goals – J. Reeves (50’)
Yellow cards – G. Paganini (40’)

 

TEAMS

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti (17 Matías Benítez 61’), 2 Martín Espiga, 3 Juan Echeverría (18 Mario Sagario 56’), 4 Ignacio Dotti (19 Diego Magno 61’), 5 Manuel Leindekar, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 7 Franco Lamanna (20 Manuel Diana 70’), 8 Gonzalo Soto, 9 Santiago Arata (21 Agustín Ormaechea HT), 10 Felipe Berchesi, 11 Gastón Mieres, 12 Andrés Vilaseca (22 Germán Albanell 65’), 13 Juan Manuel Cat (23 Gastón Gibernau 77′), 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Rodrigo Silva

Not used: 16 Facundo Gattas

BRAZIL
1 Jonatas Paulo (17 Lucas Abud HT {3 Pedro Bengaló 58’}), 2 Yan Rosetti, 3 Pedro Bengaló (18 Caíque Silva HT), 4 Lucas Piero, 5 Gabriel Paganini, 6 João Luiz da Ros, 7 André Arruda (20 Matheus Daniel 36’), 8 Nick Smith (capt.) (19 Cléber Dias 48’), 9 Lucas Duque, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Stefano Giantorno (23 Robert Tenório 71’), 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 Daniel Sancery, 15 Laurent Bourda-Couhet (22 De Wet van Niekerk 77’)

Not used: 16 Luan Almeida, 21 Lucas Tranquez

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Juan Sylvestre (UAR)
Assistants: Federico Japas (UAR) & Nahuel Jauri Rivero (UAR)