Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Sudamérica Rugby is rebranding and restructuring international competitions for 2018. The governing body for rugby in South and Central America is looking to implement a new system and format to elevate the level of competition.
The overhaul came about following a meeting last month in Medellín, Colombia. Plans were discussed and made public to expand the South America A Championship in 2018. This sees Colombia joining Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Argentina XV.
Plans for an Americas Rugby Championship B also emerged from Medellín. Colombia, Paraguay, Mexico and possibly Trinidad & Tobago are reportedly to play in the inaugural competition.
Rebranding for 2018
The South American Championship has been operating on a Tiered system. This sees the regional competition divided into the South American ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ categories. Agreement made in Medellín sees the South American A Championship rebranded as the Sudamericano 6 Naciones A, or the South American A Six Nations.
The South American B and C Championship categories are to follow this model but to include four rather than six competitors. As such Sudamérica Rugby is to rebrand them as the Sudamericano 4 Naciones B and Sudamericano 4 Naciones C in Spanish.
Restructuring for 2018
Missing from the upcoming South American B Championship is Ecuador. Next month’s competition will involve Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. Ecuador’s non-involvement is due to suspension and this may be extended upon to block Ecuador from playing in 2018 and, potentially, even being expelled.
Reports following negotiations in Medellín officially state that should Ecuador return to international competition in 2018 it would be in the lowest tier, the Sudamericano 4 Naciones C.
The 2018 Sudamericano 6 Naciones A will be divided into two geographical conferences, namely west and east. The format will see all teams playing against teams only from the other conference. The team with the most points will be champion. It is to be played in May 2018.
| WEST CONFERENCE | EAST CONFERENCE |
| Argentina XV | Brazil |
| Chile | Paraguay |
| Colombia | Uruguay |
The 2018 Sudamericano 4 Naciones B will follow the model used until 2016. Restructuring sees the vacancies left by Colombia and Ecuador going to the next best two based on results in Sudamérica competition. As such Costa Rica and Guatemala will join Peru and Venezuela in the 2018 Sudamericano 4 Naciones B.
It is to see all four countries playing each other once. The winner will be that team with the most competition points. It is to be played in late September or early October of 2018.
| Sudamericano 4 Naciones B 2018 |
| Costa Rica |
| Guatemala |
| Peru |
| Venezuela |
The 2018 Sudamericano 4 Naciones C is to retain the existing format. Changes for 2018 are to see Costa Rica and Guatemala replaced. With both competing one division higher the vacancies left will be taken by El Salvador and Honduras.
El Salvador’s involvement means Los Torogoces are to return after missing the recent 2017 South American C Championship. Honduras’ involvement will be historic. Never before has the Central American Republic competed in a Sudamérica Rugby competitions.
| Sudamerica 4 Naciones C 2018 |
| El Salvador |
| Honduras |
| Nicaragua |
| Panama |
