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

Women’s Eagles Sevens
This was unquestionably the best weekend in the history of the USA Women’s Sevens team. On Saturday they clinched automatic qualification for the 2020 Olympics and on Sunday they finished off a perfect Biarritz tournament with their first ever Cup Final victory. That the win came against overall 2018-19 Series champions New Zealand made it even sweeter. The team finished a best-ever 2nd overall this season. Cheta Emba, Kristen Thomas, and Lauren Doyle were named in the tournament Dream Team. Next stop – Lima, Peru, for the Pan-Am Games in July.

Canada Women’s Sevens
They didn’t quite get the result they wanted, but a Bronze finish in Biarritz was a strong end to the season for the Canadians. It matches their overall finish on the campaign, and earned them a spot in Tokyo 2020 that was secured on Saturday. They will also rest up before beginning preparations for Lima.

Uruguay
Los Teros are now three-time champions of the Nations Cup. They defeated Russia and the Argentina XV and were beaten in the final play by Namibia. While not a perfect campaign, it was one that will certainly help the players and staff prepare for RWC 2019. Next up is a home international this coming weekend against Spain.

Brazil
It was almost an historic victory. The painful defeat against Romania will take some time to get over for the players and supporters. It was a performance to underline that Brazil is a team able to now perform consistently at a far higher level than in any other previous World Cup cycle.

Chile
Los Cóndores went 0-2 in the June Internationals. Results aside, their matches against Romania, and Spain were both tremendous successes. Chile was able to push both teams and the lineup which Pablo Lemoine fielded was the best of the year. The challenge is for a similar team to be used regularly and not a makeshift side lacking many top names like what occurred in the Americas Rugby Championship.

Seattle Seawolves
The Seattle Seawolves have done it again. A spectacular Major League Rugby Championship Final at a sold-out Torero Stadium on Sunday saw the Seawolves earn back-to-back titles with a try scored with time expired sealing a 26-23 win over the San Diego Legion. It’s now up to the rest of the league to figure out how to dethrone the Champions. They have eight months to do so, with three more teams signing up before the 2020 season kicks off on February 15.

Major League Rugby
Sunday’s final was broadcast on CBS – an MLR first – and can only be described as a smashing success. A huge turnout in San Diego made for a wonderful atmosphere and the match itself delivered with a grandstand finish. It caps an absorbing second season and with a third now assured – complete with expansion – the future looks very bright indeed for professional rugby in North America.

Jaguares
The Sunwolves did not have a memorable year in Super Rugby. Their final match was a 52-10 defeat against Los Jaguares, who are to now host the Chiefs on Friday in a home Quarter Final in Buenos Aires. The win over the Sunwolves was not only by a big score but with several regulars rested including Agustín Creevy, Tomás Lavanini, and captain Jerónimo de la Fuente. They will return to face the Chiefs with Emiliano Boffelli also expected back.

Argentina u20
Los Pumitas did not start the U20 Championship well, yet managed to recover spectacularly. Having fallen against Wales the home side went to to hammer both Fiji and France to finish top of their group. They will now play against Australia in the Semi Final.

 

UNDER

Argentina XV
The Nations Cup was a shambles for the Argentina XV. The team did not play well against Namibia though did secure a victory. Against Russia and Uruguay they were behind throughout and were unable to produce the expected result of a win in both matches. Some players were missing to Los Jaguares but this alone does not explain the drop-off in performance.

Brazil Venues
The venues for Brazil’s home games against Spain, and Romania were shambolic. The choices were bizarre with them not being the most accessible options. This no doubt was reflected in the supporters simply not showing-up to the matches. Neither game was well promoted to say the least, a shame given how Brazil performed. Far better work is required from the CBRu.

Manuel Ardao
Uruguay suffered an early blow against the Argentina XV as flanker Manuel Ardao was stretchered off. It was a blow not only for the match but for the player and the path to RWC 2019. Los Teros are in need of more ball-carrying options in the back-row for the RWC. Ardao is very much a player who could give the team what they need. Unfortunately he was unable to get the opportunity against the Argentina XV.

Josh Reeves
With time up Brazil were one point behind Romania. They needed to convert Lucas Tranquez’ try and had their reliable goal-kicker Josh Reeves to do so. The strike was well made but the kick drifted wide, missing to the right. With it Brazil lost a match against the RWC regulars Romania. It was a cruel blow for the team not to mention for Reeves himself.

Martín Landajo
The chances of Landajo playing in RWC 2019 are dwindling. The most-capped Pumas scrum-half of all-time has been overtaken in 2019 by other players at the Jaguares and his performance in Uruguay for the Argentina XV were below his best. His passing speed and accuracy have been questioned while Uruguay’s first try in Saturday’s win was from a charged down box kick.