Test match rugby this weekend saw changes in the Americas Rankings. Gains were made by Brazil and Guyana, winners of their respective matches. Argentina’s loss to England saw the top side in the Americas slightly dropping but remaining top of the Americas.
The sensational comeback which saw Brazil toppling Portugal has seen Brazil improve from 54.50 to 53.28 points. This sees the Brazilians move closer to Chile in the Americas Rankings but does not see any positional changes. In the World Rankings Brazil is up from 31st to 29th in the world.
The match of the week was, undoubtedly Argentina vs England. What may go done as a classic saw the Europeans completing an agonizing last-gasp win in San Juan. As a result Argentina has lost 0.34 points but remains 9th in the world. Had Argentina have won the game Los Pumas would have overtaken both France and Wales to move up to 7th.
Canada’s defeat at the hands of Georgia in Calgary was far from memorable. It has not, however, seen changes in the World Rankings for either side. Georgia remain 12th and Canada 23rd in the world. In the Americas the Canadians are still 4th.
The USA’s heavy loss to Ireland has not seen any changes to the ranking of either. This is the case due to the significant gap in points between the two sides. The Eagles thereby remain 2nd in the Americas ahead of Uruguay and Canada. This could change next weekend.
In the Caribbean Guyana downed Trinidad & Tobago in this weekend’s only Rugby Americas North fixture. Prior to the match Trinidad & Tobago had 46.25, more than Guyana’s 45.81. With the rankings updated Guyana has overtaken Trinidad & Tobago and moves to 10th in the Americas Rankings.
No rankings were on the line for Uruguay’s home win over Emerging Italy. With it not being Italy’s official test side it was not a test match. While it did not see Los Teros gaining rankings points it certainly gave the team confidence for upcoming matches.
The disastrous performance that saw the Argentina XV falling to Russia was another not for rankings points. The Argentina XV play in the competitions including the Americas Rugby Championship and Nations Cup but all their matches are uncapped.
Test match rugby will take place again next weekend. In North America Canada play host to Romania and the USA take-on Georgia. In the Rugby Americas Championship the Cayman Islands hosts Mexico and the USA South Panthers host Bermuda. In South America Argentina take-on England in Santa Fé, while Uruguay face both Russia and Spain in the Nations Cup. Matches will be on Wednesday and Sunday.