Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
What a week it was that just passed! A stunning game in San Juan saw the unfortunate Pumas fall to England while their North American friends had forgettable days against their respective opponents. Brazil came back from certain death to steal an incredible victory, Guyana got past a tricky Trinidad & Tobago, and in the Nations Cup the Argentina XV suffered a horrible upset defeat to Russia that threw everybody off.
Russia’s surprise blew an otherwise perfect round for Dan Mason. One man stands undefeated and that’s the ‘Rugby Rainman’, Junoir Blaber himself, though he didn’t get in on the undercard action. JB was also bang on with his Brazil +4 prediction and damn near got the England result as well, though it does appear he badly overestimated the USA’s chances.
JB wasn’t the only one to get a hole-in-one score. Paul Tait also picked the Brazil +4 and was only one point off the Georgia result. Doug Coil went one better, calling England +4 and Guyana +7 on the nose. The rest of his picks, however…
Below are the standings after Round 1 and this week promises to separate the goats from the gurus.
Junoir Blaber, Rugby Wrap Up (4-0)
Dan Mason, Rugby United (6-1)
Bryan Ray, Americas Rugby News (5-2)
Paul Tait, Americas Rugby News (5-2)
Ted Hardy, Americas Rugby News (5-2)
Victor Ramalho, Portal do Rugby (5-2)
Jake Frechette, Rugby Today (3-1)
Patrick Johnston, The Province (3-1)
Curtis Reed, This Is American Rugby (2-2)
Derek Sagehorn, This Is America Rugby (2-2)
Doug Coil, DJ Coil Rugby (3-4)
…and here we go!
| June 17, 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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| Derek Sagehorn This Is American Rugby |
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| Doug Coil DJ Coil Rugby |
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| Jake Frechette Rugby Today |
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| Junoir Blaber Rugby Wrap Up |
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| Paul Tait Americas Rugby News |
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| Victor Ramalho Portal do Rugby |
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ARGENTINA (9) vs ENGLAND (2) – Match Preview
Saturday, June 17, 16:15 Argentina, Estadio Estanislao López, Santa Fe
It’s a 50/50 split after last week’s back-and-forth try fest.
BR: Sure, it was a great game, but Argentina blew what should have been their win. This time England have a stronger side but so do the Pumas, ever so slightly. I’m backing the home side to get it right this time… but only just.
DS: The Roses double up and the Pumas lick their wounds for the Rugby Championship.
PT: Do or die for Hourcade. Make no mistake this is as close as it gets to boiling point. Pumas to avoid gifting points this time around.
VR: After Saturday’s match Los Pumas will know they can beat England and Argentina is under pressure to improve. This will be their time.
CANADA (23) vs ROMANIA (16) – Match Preview
Saturday, June 17, 15:00 Mountain, Ellerslie Park, Edmonton
Another with no obvious answer. Will Canada solve the Romanian set piece on home soil?
BR: I’m not feeling great about this pick but have to back the boys at home to finally get one in the win column.
DS: Maple Leafs score two tries to bounce back.
PT: This is the right place at the right time for Romania. Finding themselves with a prime shot at defeating a struggling Canadian side. Too much continuity for Canada to fight off.
VR: The Oaks will follow in the Lelos’ footsteps and beat Canada on the back of Florin Vlaicu’s kicks.
USA (17) vs GEORGIA (12) – Match Preview
Saturday, June 17, 19:00 Eastern, Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Kennesaw
Somewhat surprisingly given their respective rankings it’s the Eagles who are favored over the Lelos.
BR: Forget about the game in Calgary. Georgia are the better team and I see them doing severe damage up front and pressuring the midfield.
DS: Eagles exhaust visitors by running their pack ragged around Kennesaw State pitch.
PT: Georgia won well on the board against Canada but hardly fired a shot. The Eagles have the means to see them off in Atlanta.
VR: The USA will have a better performance against Georgia, but the Lelos pack will have the last word.
| June 17-18, 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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| Derek Sagehorn This Is American Rugby |
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| Doug Coil DJ Coil Rugby |
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| Junoir Blaber Rugby Wrap Up |
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| Paul Tait Americas Rugby News |
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| Victor Ramalho Portal do Rugby |
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CAYMAN ISLANDS (57) vs MEXICO (50) – Match Preview
Saturday, June 17, 16:00 Cayman, Truman Bodden Complex, George Town
Mexico are unanimous favorites to win the North Zone in the RAN Championships.
BR: It’s time to come up with a new competition for the next tier of Americas nations. Mexico are way ahead.
PT: Las Serpientes’ rise has been well documented. Greatly improved skills across the park makes this Mexico’s best side. The win over USA South Panthers offers great prospects for the future.
VR: Las Serpientes are now finally and definitely the best team in Rugby Americas North after USA and Canada. They will prevail.
ARGENTINA XV (9) vs EMERGING ITALY (15)
Sunday, June 18, 13:15 Uruguay, Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
The Argentines are also unanimous favorites, but the were before the Russia game as well…
BR: No banana peels this time. The Argentines will push past the Italians with ease.
PT: Time for Felipe Contepomi’s side to find form. They have the players to do so. Just need to not be over adventurous to ensure they can control play.
VR: Not an easy match, but the Argies will prevail.
URUGUAY (21) vs SPAIN (18)
Sunday, June 18, 15:30 Uruguay, Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
Los Teros are heavy favorites but it should be a close match.
BR: Uruguay simply must win to take the next step in their evolution to Tier 2.
PT: A year ago Uruguay won this fixture 16-0. They then lost in November. The difference being Spain’s French-based players. With Spain below full-strength this is a great opportunity for Uruguay to become Nations Cup Champions.
VR: Los Teros are focused on beating Spain after their defeat on Spanish soil in November. They have improved during the ARC and learned from their mistakes, but Los Leones won’t fall easily.
