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

Costa Rica
The South American C Championship title has changed hands. The reigning two-time title holders, Guatemala, handed over the title to Costa Rica on Saturday. Costa Rica had home advantage for all of this year’s South American C Championship. The country made the most of it to record a huge win over Panama in round one and a sizable one over Nicaragua in round two. Guatemala also impressed in both earlier matches, gaining a return of two wins. Far fewer points would be scored in the final as the teams competed to an 8-8 draw. In order to determine the final placements, the scoring from previous matches was brought into play. Guatemala had beaten Panama by 65-5 and Nicaragua by 57-19. Costa Rica recorded a 58-7 win over Nicaragua and won 91-5 against Panama.

Guatemala
Los Jaguares had to settle for second in San José. The 8-8 scoreline in the South American C Championship was tough for the Guatemalans. Notwithstanding while they lost the battle on the field they won the war off of it. Guatemala gained Americas Rankings points from Costa Rica by virtue of being the away side in their encounter. This sees Guatemala shooting up the rankings to now tie the Bahamas for 18th position.

Nicaragua
Nicaragua claimed an historic win over Panama on Saturday. The 46-36 victory was the first victory by Nicaragua in test match rugby. The Central American republic joined the South American C Championship this season, facing Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama. All three of Nicaragua’s opponents are established teams in the South American C Championship. This meant that the country’s chances going into the tournament were slim. Los Tiburones, though proved to be up to the required standard, competing well against both Costa Rica and Guatemala before downing Panama in their final match.

Uruguay u20
Having opened with an underwhelming loss in round one, Los Teritos  completed a magical performance to hammer Fiji 34-3 on Saturday. In doing so Uruguay completely rejuvenated their World Rugby u20 Trophy chances. The Fijians are well-known for their running rugby but it was Uruguay who showed attacking spirit while also using their traditional forward strength to devastating effect. Fiji’s players looked out of shape and were tactically exposed by Los Teritos. It underlined the success of the Estadio Charrúa High Performance Center and what is possible at senior level overtime.

Mauricio Reggiardo, Gonzalo Quesada
Former Pumas Mauricio Reggiardo and Gonzalo Quesada coached their respective teams to victory in France over the weekend. Reggiardo’s side, Agen, completed an amazing victory over the 2016 Top 14 champions, Racing 92. In the Pro D2, Quesada saw Biarritz to victory over Béziers. Both coaches are widely respected in France with Quesada’s name having previously been suggested as being the next Head Coach of Argentina. Reggiardo signed

Alfredo Cabrera
Guatemalan Alfredo Cabrera won the Player of the Tournament award in San José. From the Vikingos club, Cabrera is a back row forward who has experience captaining his country. Past experiences include playing in South American C Championship repechage against Ecuador. With the evolving landscape of Sudamérica Rugby and Rugby Americas North, Cabrera and his colleagues may well have opportunities of earning caps against more countries.

Andrew Durutalo
USA Eagles flanker Andrew Durutalo had a dream day in his competitive debut for Ealing Trailfinders as they just held off a second-half comeback from Cornish Pirates to come away with a 29-28 victory at Vallis Way. Two tries, one in each half, and an outstanding overall contribution saw the former USA Sevens star claim Man of the Match honors in what was also his first European professional club match.

Brian Ormson
Despite being in just his second season playing professional rugby, Brian Ormson is now captain of Viadana. The 26-year-old Argentine play-maker was named captain of the Italian side last week. He joined the team from Pucará. This saw him leaving the Argentine system and doing so while still being uncapped. While he has not played for Los Pumas, Ormson has played for the Argentina XV in the past.

UNDER

Panama
A winless South America C Championship campaign sees Panama falling in the Americas Rankings. On the field Los Diablos fell to big losses against Costa Rica and Guatemala before losing the Bronze Final against newcomers, Nicaragua. Panama was more than 30 points down against the Nicaraguans before launching an impressive comeback. It was, in the end, not enough as Nicaragua was able to complete a ten point victory. Before the 2018 South American C Championship arrives how about Panama organize some matches against El Salvador and Honduras?

Pumas Fly Halves
Argentina’s play-makers have struggled in 2017. The bad news for Los Pumas is that the problem is not going to go away. Rather it is an unsolvable fly half conundrum in which there are no players to be called upon to steady the ship. Nicolás Sánchez was outplayed by George Ford in June and by Elton Jantjies in week one of the Rugby Championship. Daniel Hourcade cut him from the starting line-up for game two in Salta. This saw 35-year-old Juan Martín Hernández playing in the pivotal position. Hernández was unable to lay a solid foundation as steady, reliable play. Instead he was erratic. Kicks went out on the full, passes did not go to hand and a certain try was missed.

Argentine Selection Policy
The fly half woes could perhaps be resolved by calling-up Patricio Fernández. The problem is he plays for Clermont and thereby cannot be considered. With Argentina losing matches finding alternative players in many positions is simply not possible. Depth is thin at hooker yet both Facundo Bosch and Santiago Iglesias Valdez play in France. Juan Figallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela are leading props, currently badly missed. Facundo Isa is regarded as is perhaps Argentina’s best player in the world.  Marcelo Bosch starts finals and wins them for Saracens. Juan Imhoff is Argentina’s most dangerous finisher. If available Marcelo Bosch, Patricio Fernández, Juan Figallo, Mariano Galarza, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Juan Imhoff, Facundo Isa and Juan Pablo Socino would likely all be selected.

Canada u20
Canada’s u20 side was crushed by Japan to the tune of 50-12 in their second round World Rugby u20 Trophy match at the Estadio Charrúa on Saturday. A clinical performance from the Japanese saw them build up a 35-0 lead while Canada struggled to get anything going offensively. Handling errors crippled Canadian efforts and handed the ball immediately to Japan from the kickoff. A patient approach paid off and Chang-Ho Ahn reached out to score the first try with less than two minutes on the clock. It was a match requiring damage control from the outplayed North Americans.

Chile u20
Like Canada, Chile is winless after two pool matches in the Junior World Trophy. Both Canada and Chile fell to Namibia and Japan and will now meet on Wednesday in Punta del Este. Chile’s 28-22 loss against Japan was that of a side competing until the end. But against the Africans Chile was defeated with plenty of time remaining. The 33-19 loss saw Chile close at the interval but outplayed in the second half.

Tomás Lavanini
The past week has not been a good one for Tomás Lavanini. Having been widely criticized for his ill discipline in Argentina’s loss in Salta, the big second row has paid the price. His name was missing from the roster to face New Zealand and Australia in Oceania this month yet he was cleared of suspension. The UAR made the decision to tour without their Lavanini. The reason? The player needs to be sent a message to dramatically improve his discipline. His red card against South Africa was not taken lightly.

Gonzalo Bertranou, Bautista Ezcurra
Also missing from the trip to Oceania are Gonzalo Bertranou and Bautista Ezcurra. Both players are yet to play in the Rugby Championship at all, with the latter still being uncapped. Breton is third inline for the scrum-half spot behind Tomás Cubelli and Martín Landajo. Ezcurra is a utility option, though inside enter is his leading position and most likely place for Los Pumas. Training in New Zealand ahead of Ezcurra are Jerónimo de la Fuente, Santiago González Iglesias and Juan Martín Hernández. de la Fuente is the likely starter with Hernández set to again play at fly half ahead of Nicolás Sánchez.