Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

 

UP

USA
The USA Eagles did themselves proud in defeating Scotland 30-29 on Saturday. It was as historic moment as never before in the modern era had the Eagles defeated a Tier 1 opponent. The impact of professional rugby both in the USA and the increasing number of professionals in leading European leagues were both high contributors. Having defeated Russia a week earlier the USA are now targeting further history – a three-match triumph in the June internationals with only Canada standing in their way this coming weekend.

Trinidad & Tobago
A remarkable 34-33 upset win over the US South Panthers sees the 2018 Rugby Americas North Championship continuing to be unpredictable. Trinidad & Tobago have one more match to play against the Cayman Islands. Originally scheduled for June 23, the date is now unconfirmed pending the release of government funding. With the Cayman Islands having only just avoided defeat against Bermuda it looms as another match which would go either way.

Uruguay
Los Teros are shooting above expectations for 2019. The results achieved on the field conclusively point to progress and see the South American nation being re-evaluated as a Tier 2 side. In the Nations Cup the Teros defeated the ‘A’ teams of Fiji, Italy, and Argentina. Their unlikely title victory saw a determined team winning by playing impressive rugby. Added to their wins over Canada earlier in the year and the arrival of professionalism, Uruguay are a country on the rise.

San Diego Legion
The Legion became the third team to secure their spot in the Major League Rugby Semi Finals with a 31-17 win over Austin Elite at Torero Stadium on Saturday. Prior to the season it was their star-studded backline that was tipped to wreak havoc on opposition but their ascension to the postseason has been lead by the forwards. Against Austin they used their lineout drive to winning effect and in preventing the Elite from scoring even a single bonus point they may have taken them out of playoff contention.

Glendale Raptors
The Raptors remain unbeaten. After a slow start that saw them trailing the Seattle Seawolves for much of the first half, the league-leaders finally showed their stripes and scored 33 unanswered points to close out an impressive win against their closest rivals. The result guarantees them top seed status for the Semi Finals where they will enjoy home field advantage at Infinity Park on June 30. Having now won both contests against Seattle, Glendale are the undisputed favorites to claim the inaugural MLR title in San Diego on July 7.

New Orleans Gold
Ultimately it has proved too little, too late, but the Gold can hold their heads high after finishing their MLR campaign with a 46-43 win over the Utah Warriors at Salt Lake on Saturday. Were it not for numerous injuries to key players they might have been singing a different song on the bayou. They will end the season in second-to-last place but only one win short of the playoffs. If the rugby gods are kinder next season we should be treated to even more highlight real scores from their fan-friendly run-and-gun style.

Canada u20s
Canada defeated the USA on aggregate to qualify for the World Rugby u20 Trophy. Taking place in Romania this August, Canada earned their place in the competition despite losing 40-22 on Saturday, their 60-22 win on Tuesday enough to see them through. The combined scores means that Canada progress. It serves as a reminder of the potential that exists within the world’s second largest country. If a proper pathway can be devised to see their best youth players progress to professional rugby, there remains hope that Canada can return to being a competitive side on the world’s stage once again.

2019 u20s in Argentina
The 2019 Junior World Championship will return to Argentina. The cities of Rosario and Santa Fé will host the competition, a move that sees it being staged in neither the capital province nor the rugby heartland of the north. It is an invested made by both the UAR and World Rugby and one backed by local government. With Los Pumitas having finished 6th in this year’s competition the 2019 event sees them notably better placed than they were going into the 2018 edition.

 

UNDER

Canada
While the u20s have done the job asked of them, Canada’s senior men’s team took another step down. On Saturday they suffered a humiliating 43-20 defeat to Russia in the nation’s capital. The Bears made history by defeating Canada for the first time. In truth the scoreline flattered the home side. The size of defeat means that Canada have slipped below Hong Kong into 22nd spot on the World Rugby Rankings. They are now set to face a team that can be officially declared the USA’s greatest ever. Halifax may witness another record-setting day this coming weekend.

Argentina
A 30-12 home defeat against Wales saw Agustín Creevy’s team falling to a 2-0 home series defeat against Wales. The result means Argentina falls further behind Fiji in World Rankings to remain in 10th position. Yet rankings are of minor concern for Argentina at this stage. What matters is the team is losing games and failing to play good rugby. Wales had the match under control throughout and were happy to sue Rhys Patchell’s boot to kick penalties. Argentina, again, got the basics wrong and were badly exposed.

Daniel Hourcade
The Daniel Hourcade regime is ending. This coming Saturday in Resistencia will see the final match of the Hourcade era. The 60-year-old from Tucumán took charge of Los Pumas in October 2013 and his time has ended. The abysmal performances of Argentina against Wales in San Juan and Santa Fé see change coming with Mario Ledesma and Gonzalo Quesada popping up as the names to replace Hourcade. Argentina, under Hourcade, played 53 tests for a return of 15 wins. His 28.3% record was poor with the RWC 2015 win over Ireland now being a distant memory.

Ross Moriarty
Wales’ win on Saturday was tarnished by a late red card. With time up Welsh No8 Ross Moriarty was sent off for dangerous play. The former England U20’s World Champion put Nicolás Sánchez in a chokehold and refused to let go despite being told to do so from assistant referee Andrew Brace. The unfortunate incident was the only negative point of Wales’ day and tour. With a 3-0 win in the Americas this month Wales are a team to seriously take note of ahead of RWC 2019. They were without 12 of their regular starters. Australia’s loss against Ireland suggests Wales may well top Pool D next year.

Brazil and Chile
One week remains in the 2018 June Internationals. Canada host the USA in Halifax, Argentina take on Scotland in Resistencia, and the Cayman Islands welcome Trinidad & Tobago in George Town. Earlier in the month both Uruguay and the Argentina XV played three matches in the Nations Cup. There were, however, no games for Brazil and Chile. Both did get to play in the Suramericano 6 Naciones ‘A’ as did Colombia and Paraguay but test matches in June 2018? Nil.