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

RWC Sevens 2018
The 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens was a tremendous success. Played at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, 40 teams from 28 nations participated across two divisions. It was the seventh rendition of the tournament for the men, but only the fourth time the women have been involved. The iconic baseball stadium was converted brilliantly for the rugby tournament and the supporters turned out in numbers, over 100,000 were in attendance over the three days. Impressed were the Giants stadium staff themselves who told Patrick Johnston “This is so great. So fast. You can’t look away or you miss something!”

USA Women’s Eagles
Seeded 5th the Women’s Eagles finished 4th overall. While they were unable to claim a medal their performance was notable and above expectations. The USA finished behind only champions New Zealand, in-form France, and Olympic Champions Australia. Under-performing from the Americas were the 3rd seeds Canada who finished 7th. Brazil finished 13th, one spot better than their seeding while Mexico were seeded 16th and finished as such. In winning Gold, New Zealand were a class above the rest. They defeated France 29-0 in the final.

Argentina, Chile Sevens
The best performer from the Americas were Los Pumas. Argentina put on a masterclass performance to down the USA 33-7 in the 5th Place Final on Sunday. Gastón Revol and his team controlled play superbly, not enabling the Eagles any ball until well into the second half. In finishing 6th the Eagles achieved their best ever finish in RWC Sevens history though they will remain disappointed with the result. Canada lost their final match to Wales to finish a disappointing 12th while Chile claimed the Bowl title, downing Hong Kong to finish 17th overall. A 6-man Uruguay fell to Uganda to finish 20th while Jamaica scored great tries in finishing 24th.

Ontario Arrows
At long last Canada’s path to professional rugby is almost confirmed. This past week saw the Ontario Arrows moving one step closer to booking their spot in the 2019 Major League Rugby season. The organization has secured exclusive rights to the Toronto-based franchise. Subject to the negotiation of “key terms and conditions of entry,” the team intends to compete in the 2019 MLR season. If – as expected – those terms are agreed, the team will join expansion sides from New York and Los Angeles to form a 10-team competition for the new season slated to begin in late January 2019.

Houston SaberCats
The Houston SaberCats are set to break ground on their a new purpose-built stadium. Located adjacent to Houston Sports Park, the SaberCats will hold a ceremony on July 24 at 10am local time with Mayor Sylvester Turner to officially begin construction on the new complex, slated to be completed in time for the beginning of the 2019 Major League Rugby season in late January. The AVEVA Stadium will have seats for 3,500 with a total capacity of up to 4,000 including standing room. There will be full concessions, lighting, and a large screen in the main stadium with two further pitches at the complex and parking for 1,100 vehicles.

 

UNDER

Alev Kelter
Just days out of the RWC 7’s the USA Women’s Eagles suffered a significant blow with Alev Kelter has been ruled out of the tournament. Kelter was unable to return to fitness following an injury sustained on the HSBC Sevens Series. Her place went to veteran Kelsi Stockert. While Kelter was forced to participate as a spectator Stockert was back for the first time since last December’s tournament in Dubai.

Jaguares
Los Jaguares lost their Quarter Final on Saturday. The 40-23 defeat against the Lions was bitter-sweet as the dream of winning Super Rugby is over for the year yet the players can now rest longer than had they featured further in the play-off’s. The defeat featured two gift tries. In other words, 50% of the Lions tries were from Jaguares errors. Had they not happened then the match may well have turned-out very differently. Ultimately the competition this year has the players very well prepared for the Rugby Championship. Questions remain over props and wingers with Mario Ledesma having no depth, and thereby having heavily used the same players.

Ramiro Moyano
Ramiro Moyano was ruled out of the Super Rugby Quarter Final with a hamstring injury. Without him Matías Moroni had his first start of the year as a winger. Sebastián Cancelliere was the replacement with Bautista Delguy being the other starting winger. The injury comes just weeks out of the start of the Rugby Championship. Los Jaguares’ best performers on the wings in 2018 have been Delguy and Moyano. Emiliano Boffelli’s move to fullback to cover for Joaquín Tuculet has been highly successful. Moroni playing wing for Argentina should never be an option. With Moyano unfit 2016-2017 issues may resurface.

Amanaki Mafi
Los Jaguares win over the Melbourne Rebels this year was against both Amanaki Mafi and Lopeti Timani. The pair were involved in a off-field incident in which Mafi seriously hurt his teammate. The extent of the assault is such that Mafi is now facing an assault charge and possible prison sentence. Mafi played in all four of Japan’s RWC 2015 matches, including facing the USA in Gloucester. Head coach Jamie Joseph will now need to find another No8 for RWC 2019. This is no minor deal with Mafi having been Japan’s stand-out forward in recent years. He was named by Australia’s Fox Sports in the Super Rugby Team of the Year.

Pacific Islands, Player Eligibility and Charles Piutau
Calls have come from the Pacific Islands to change player eligibility laws to enable former Tier 1 capped players to play for Tier 2 unions. The high-profile player in question is former All Black Charles Piutau. The PPRW Board has argued that his 17 caps are a low enough number that he ought to be able to play for Tonga at RWC 2019. From Auckland, New Zealand, he qualifies for Tonga via his parents. There are many other players comparable ready to boost Samoa and Tonga. On the other hand Uruguay and Georgia with 100% local produce are Tier 2 unions that would gain nothing. Piutau – and others – already have the Olympic loophole to exploit. Asking for more seems excessive and unlikely to be approved.