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The eagerly awaited 2019 ARC fixture between Brazil and Chile will be played on Saturday. In prior editions Os Tupis have surpassed expectations to now be the clear favorites to win the fixture. This weekend’s match will break new ground with international rugby being played in Jundiaí for the first time.
Having pushed the USA to within five points last weekend Brazil have a strong side named to face Chile. There are two alterations to the starting line-up with Caíque Silva replacing the outstanding Lucas Abud at loose head prop and Italian-raised Lorenzo Massari replacing Felipe Sancery.
Massari will earn his first start for Brazil. His debut came from the bench in the win over Canada while he was also a replacement in Texas last weekend in the loss against the USA Eagles. Him starting sees a change in the captaincy with Brazil to be led by flanker Arthur Bergo.
On the bench there are additional changes. Set to have opportunities for game time are João Talamini, Michael Morais, and Stefano Giantorno.
Chilean Head Coach Pablo Lemoine has rung the changes. An all new front-row starts with Vittorio Lastra, Claudio Iturra, and Nicolás Ovalle coming in for Marcelo Huerta, Augusto Böhme, and Matías Dittus respectively. They will be joined by Javier Eissmann, and Francisco Garrido in the tight-five with Eissmann being the one starter from the front five forwards vs Canada to have been retained.
Garrido, 26, is joined by brother Santiago, 30, who takes his place on the bench. The uncapped pair are Argentine born and qualify for the Cóndores through their Chilean father.
The back-row is identical to that which played in Langford. This sees further opportunities for the unit of Eduardo Orpis, Thomas Orchard, and Martín Sigren.
In the backs Juan Pablo Larenas makes way for Domingo Saavedra at scrum-half. Larenas will play as a replacement. Joining Saavedra in the halves will be Francisco González Moller who has been retained.
There is one further change with a recall for Tomás Ianiszewski. He will not play in his usual position of fullback but, rather on the right wing. He takes over from Julio Blanc in joining Gonzalo Lara, and Christian Huerta in the back-three.
Historically speaking Chile have a vastly superior record over Brazil. In total there have been 27 matches between the countries. Los Cóndores have 21 victories, compared to Brazil’s four and two prior draws between the sides. Brazil’s first win came in 2014 and since then Os Tupis have outperformed Chile with four wins, one draw and three losses.
Brazil are expected to be superior in general play and the set-piece. These factors and home advantage combine to give Brazil a notable advantage and a likely win by 15 or more points.
BRAZIL
1 Caíque Silva, 2 Wilton Rebolo, 3 Jardel Vettorato, 4 Matteo Del’Acqua, 5 Luiz Vieira, 6 Cléber Dias, 7 Arthur Bergo (capt.), 8 André Arruda, 9 Lucas Duque, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Robert Tenório, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Lorenzo Massari, 14 Lucas Tranquez, 15 Daniel Sancery
Replacements: 16 Yan Rosetti, 17 João Talamini, 18 Pedro Bengaló, 19 Michael Moraes, 20 Alexandre Alves, 21 Douglas Rauth, 22 Stefano Giantorno, 23 Ariel Rodrigues
CHILE
1 Vittorio Lastra, 2 Claudio Iturra, 3 Nicolás Ovalle, 4 Javier Eissmann, 5 Francisco Garrido, 6 Eduardo Orpis, 7 Thomas Orchard, 8 Martín Sigren (capt.), 9 Domingo Saavedra, 10 Francisco González Moller, 12 Gonzalo Lara, 12 Vicente Ayarza, 13 José Ignacio Larenas, 14 Tomás Ianiszewski, 15 Christian Huerta
Replacements: 16 Augusto Böhme, 17 Santiago Garrido, 18 Claudio Zamorano, 19 Mauricio Gómez, 20 Augusto Sarmiento, 21 Camilo Sánchez, 22 Juan Pablo Perrotta, 23 Juan Pablo Larenas
Date: Saturday, March 2
Venue: Estádio Jayme Cintra, Jundiaí
Kickoff: 18:10 local (13:10 Pacific, 16:10 Eastern)
Referee: Joaquín Montes (URU)
Broadcasts: ESPN 3 (South America), ESPN+ (USA), FloRugby (USA), TSN.ca (Canada), World Rugby
