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A tremendous performance from Uruguay saw Los Teros toppling the Fiji Warriors this afternoon in Montevideo. The 29-10 win was a dream start to the host side looking to defend their Nations Cup title.
The victory was the latest of what has been a historic run over a sustained period. Uruguay has beaten Tier 2 and Tier 3 unions with regularity since RWC 2015. Indeed a winning streak saw them claiming 13 consecutive test match victories before losing to the USA in this year’s Americas Rugby Championship.
Included in the streak were wins over Brazil, Canada, Chile, Namibia, Paraguay, Russia, and Spain. This included a series win in Africa and Uruguay’s qualification for RWC 2015 by beating Canada home-and-away.
The accomplishments mean Uruguay qualified for Japan 2019 well ahead of time. With it the URU have turned their attention to developing the team. Through investment in facilities and the players a more competitive team is being constructed.
Evidence of this was clear today against the Fiji Warriors. Uruguay was far better physically than in prior encounters against either the Fiji Warriors or Fiji’s test side. This was true across the park with Los Teros’ players being in great shape.
The South Americans were able to go the 80 minutes. The same is not true of the Fiji Warriors who were tired as the game unfolded. Indeed a strong start from the visitors saw them scoring first. Crossing was Enele Malele. The fly half would convert his own try.
Uruguay hit-back through Andrés Vilaseca. The crafty inside center made a nuisance of himself to the Fiji Warriors, emulating his opportunistic double against Canada from February. Felipe Berchesi leveled the scores with his conversion.
An exchanging of penalties from Berchesi and Malele made it 10-10 after 13 minutes. It would remain as such until the second half.
After the interval Los Teros used the muddy conditions to their advantage. Patience ultimately saw them completing a comfortable victory. In addition to keeping the Fiji Warriors pointless, Uruguay would score 19 points.
Berchesi was responsible for all but five of them. He landed four penalties, in the 49th, 59th, 65th, and 76th minutes to kick the Fiji Warriors out of the game. Then with two minutes remaining Vilaseca used his soccer skills to gather a loose ball and score. Berchesi was again accurate from the kicking-tee.
Both Uruguay and the Fiji Warriors are to return to the field on Wednesday. Uruguay will do so against Emerging Italy while the Fiji Warriors face the Argentina XV.
SCORING
URUGUAY 29
Tries – A. Vilaseca 2 (5′, 80′)
Cons – F. Berchesi 2/2 (6′, 80′)
Pens – F. Berchesi 5/6 (13′, 49′, 59′, 65′, 76′)
FIJI WARRIORS 10
Tries – E. Malele (2′)
Cons – E. Malele 1/1 (3′)
Pens – E. Malele 1/1 (10′)
URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti (17 Matías Benítez 70′), 2 Germán Kessler (16 Carlos Pombo 70′), 3 Juan Echeverría (18 Felipe Inciarte 77′), 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Manuel Leindekar (19 Diego Magno 77′), 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 7 Leandro Segredo, 8 Alejandro Nieto (20 Manuel Diana 60′), 9 Santiago Arata (21 Agustín Ormaechea 53′), 10 Felipe Berchesi, 11 Nicolás Freitas, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Joaquín Prada, 14 Leandro Leivas (23 Manuel Blengio 77′), 15 Rodrigo Silva (22 Gastón Mieres 53′)
FIJI WARRIORS
1 Joeli Veitayaki (17 Seru Cakobau 72′), 2 Mesulame Dolokoto (capt.) (16 Seremaia Naureure 60′), 3 Mosese Ducivaki (18 Luke Tagi 57′), 4 Filimoni Seru (19 Sailosi Dawai 53′), 5 Samu Saqiwa, 6 Temo Mayanavanua, 7 Jiuta Takubu (20 Vasikali Mudu 47′), 8 Peni Raidre, 9 Sakiusa Gavidi (21 Peniasi Ratu 60′), 10 Enele Malele, 11 Asaeli Atunaisa (23 Orisi Erenavula 66′), 12 Eroni Vasiteri, 13 Ifereimi Tovilevu, 14 Apete Daveta, 15 Aporosa Tabulawaki (22 Jone Manu 53′)
