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Uruguay flanker Juan Manuel Gaminara is set to lead the Teros in their Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifying series for the Americas 2 spot in January. The 28-year-old was named captain of the team following the retirement of 2015 World Cup captain Santiago Vilaseca, and was part of the team that achieved qualification through the repechage series in 2013.
In speaking to the official Uruguayan Rugby Union site, Gaminara says the team is looking forward to the series, particularly given the deciding match will be played in Montevideo.
“This is the first time in these qualifiers that Uruguay will play the defining match at home, so we think that will be important. That the final 80 minutes will be played in Uruguay, at the Estadio Charrúa, is a big deal for us, the most important thing.
“Canada is a technically strong team, maybe more than the USA, but they are not used to playing in these conditions. It’s the first time this [Americas 2] has happened to them and we have already experienced several of them. I think this will be to our advantage.
“In our current group of Los Teros there are 10 to 12 players who have already played in the World Cup and have been through the qualifying process four years ago. We have to use that experience to our favor. We have a chance to qualify in the initial round, which is unprecedented for us. We are determined to defeat Canada.”
