Spain punish chaotic Uruguay

Spain punished Los Teros this evening in Montevideo. A chaotic showing from Uruguay saw the South Americans well beaten, losing 41-21 against Los Leones.

Spain’s victory completes a remarkable tour to South America. Los Leones went undefeated, downing Brazil 22-16 in São Paulo; Chile 29-22 in Santiago; and Uruguay 41-21 in Montevideo. The final result was a positive for the push to expand the RWC to have a 24-team tournament in France 2023.

As the results demonstrate Uruguay’s loss was easily the biggest of the three for the South American countries. Los Teros were far below their best and were the second best team on the field by a comfortable distance.

With an eye to RWC 2019 the performance was highly concerning for an Uruguayan perspective. Their poor start against Namibia two weeks ago was replicated again Spain as Los Leones held a 19-0 lead after 23 minutes.

The European country was not only the fasted out of the blocks but was also able to put a strangle-hold on the opposition. Their pressure would force mistakes with Uruguay coughing-up ball and Spain taking full-advantage.

Uruguay’s first points would come to a converted try to Andrés Vilaseca. The 33rd minute effort would be  the only first half points for Los Teros. At the other end of the field the dominance of Spain would be telling as their fourth try saw hooker Vicente del Hoyo bagging his second to take Spain to a 26-7 half-time advantage.

Uruguay started the second half with a purpose. Yet having mounted an impressive attack an elementary error would see them giving Spain a gift converted try. Juan Pedro Rombys would break rule no1 for a prop – don’t pass. From it Facundo Munilla went over to take Spain up to 33 points.

Los Teros response would come from Rombys’ replacement, Juan Echeverría. From close range the research tight head would dive over for a try converted by Vilaseca.

Ten minutes later Vilaseca was back in the action. A clean break from the Austin Elite center combined with a support line from replacement Tomás Inciarte who scored. Fly half Juan Manuel Cat added the conversion.

With seven minutes remaining Spain were 15 points ahead. Uruguay needed to score again to avoid losing the maximum number of rankings points. Instead Los Leones would score again as the Spanish-qualified Frenchman David Mélé scored against dire Uruguayan defense.

Uruguay have plenty to do ahead of RWC 2019. They will now rest-up before focusing on getting their structure right ahead of their send-off match against Brazil on Saturday September 07.

 

SCORING

URUGUAY 21
Tries – A. Vilaseca (33′), J. Echeverria (55′), T. Inciarte (72′)
Cons – A. Vilaseca 2/2 (34′, 56′), J. Cat 1/1 (73′)
Yellow cards – S. Arata (53′)

SPAIN 41
Tries – F. Munilla 2 (9′, 44′), G. Domínguez (15′), V. del Hoyo 2 (24′, 40′), D. Mélé (76′)
Cons – D. Mélé 4/5 (10′, 25′, 45′, 77′), F. Casteglioni 1/1 (40′)
Pens – D. Mélé (70′)
Yellow cards – D. Mélé (34′), A. Blanco (59′)

 

TEAMS

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti (17 Facundo Gattas), 2 Germán Kessler (16 Guillermo Pujadas 71′), 3 Juan Pedro Rombys (18 Juan Echeverría), 4 Ignacio Dotti (19 Gonzalo Soto Mera 66′), 5 Manuel Leindekar, 6 Juan Manuel Gaminara (capt.), 7 Santiago Civetta (20 Leandro Segredo), 8 Manuel Diana (21 Juan Diego Ormeachea 46′), 9 Agustín Ormaechea (22 Santiago Arata), 10 Juan Manuel Cat, 11 Rodrigo Silva (23 Tomás Inciarte), 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Nicolás Freitas, 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Gastón Mieres

SPAIN
1 Fernando López (capt.) (16 Thierry Feuteu 52′), 2 Vicente del Hoyo (17 Pablo Miejimolle 58′), 3 Alberto Blanco (18 Mattius Pisapia 69′), 4 Manuel Mora, 5 Mike Walker-Fitton (19 Ien Ascroft-Leigh 28′-39′, 69′) (18 Mattius Pisapia 59′-69′), 6 Victor Sánchez (20 Oier Goia 37′), 7 Juan Pablo Guido, 8 Afa Tauli, 9 Facundo Munilla (21 Emiliano Calle Rivas 58′), 10 David Mélé, 11 Guillermo Domínguez (23 Julen Goia 77′), 12 Álvar Gimeno, 13 Richard Stewart, 14 Ignacio Contardi (22 Jordi Jorba 70′), 15 Federico Casteglioni

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Federico Anselmi (UAR)