Up and Under – World Cup Edition

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. With three of four World Cup training squads now revealed, this week we look at the movers and shakers a we head towards Japan 2019.

 

UP

Mayco Vivas
The bolter in the Jaguares squad. Loosehead prop has been a major issue for Los Pumas since Marcos Ayerza retired. Lucas Noguera Paz and Santiago García Botta failed to make the spot their own and Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro has always favored tighthead. Enter Vivas, the 21-year-old who has jumped straight from the Pumitas u20 squad into a leading role for the Jaguares. Tetaz Chaparro may get the first crack for Los Pumas due to his test experience but the form of Vivas in Super Rugby will give Mario Ledesma pause for thought.

Santiago Socino
It may just be a third-string role with Agustín Creevy and Julián Montoya the top two hooker sin the squad, but Socino is set for his first opportunity at international rugby after leaving Newcastle for the Jaguares. The move secured his place ahead of another European-based hooker, Facundo Bosch. On form it’s Bosch who should have secured the spot, but opportunities have not been easy to come by for Socino at Falcons. He is bigger physically and also a converted loose forward so could offer the same versatility that Bosch did in a 31-man touring party.

Facundo Isa
Ignoring world class talent has not worked out well for Los Pumas, and the return of Isa to the back row is a major boost to the side. As a ball carrier he is among the very best and he should slot straight back in at No8 come the Rugby Championship. It’s closing in on three years since his last appearance in test rugby. Here’s hoping his return is a permanent one.

Felipe Ezcurra
Effectively ignored by Daniel Hourcade after two unconvincing seasons with the Jaguares, the elder Ezcurra brother has rebounded with some of the best rugby of his career. A strong campaign with the Argentina XV was followed by a brief stint training with Leicester Tigers. Upon his return he has been promoted to the Super Rugby side and seems to have usurped the vastly experienced Martín Landajo in the scrumhalf pecking order. Ezcurra still has work to do to make the final World Cup squad but his chances look infinitely greater now than they did a year ago.

Benjamín Urdapilleta
It’s never been a question of class when it comes to Urdapilleta. The 33-year-old has been one of the most consistent flyhalves in the Top 14 for years, but with Nicolás Sánchez owning the Pumas No10 shirt and more recently the ban on European players, there just hasn’t been a great need for his services. The retirement of Juan Martín Hernández left no adequate cover for Sánchez, however, and now following six years in the international wilderness there is a real chance that Urdapilleta could get the call as second-string flyhalf for Los Pumas.

Manuel Montero
A name unexpected in the training squad, despite some impressive displays for the Argentina XV. Montero burst into the scene as a 21-year-old in 2012 but two serious injuries laid him low, while the depth that the Pumas now boast out wide has seen his chances limited. Suddenly he is now back with a chance leaving others out in the cold, but one does wonder if Montero still has it in him to make the senior squad. His impact was limited in the Nations Cup and though he brings a physical stature rare to Argentine backs, he doesn’t match the electric pace of other contenders.

Andrew Quattrin
The Arrows contribute an impressive 13 players to Canada’s 43-strong party. It’s perhaps to be expected given they are the only professional team in the country. Also expected was the selection of uncapped hooker Andrew Quattrin. The 22-year-old was outstanding during the Major League Rugby season and as one of three hookers in the squad now has his chance to take his first steps in senior international rugby.

Paul Ciulini
Another from the Arrows engine room who has thrust his way back into the spotlight. After a rapid rise to test rugby the big man slipped out of sight briefly, turning down an academy deal at Perpignan before returning with the Ontario Blues. Alongside Mike Sheppard he gave Toronto a bruising second row unit and Ciulini’s work in the tight-loose seems to have knocked former captain Brett Beukeboom out of the running.

Nakai Penny
With just three test caps to his name, all as a replacement, some Canadian fans may not be familiar with the up-and-coming flanker. A starting role with the Seattle Seawolves this season en route to an MLR title should have put them on notice. Penny is the youngest of three openside options in the Canadian squad and arguably the one with the most potential. If his club form translates to test level, it could see incumbent Lucas Rumball pushed to the blindside and a head-to-head battle with Matt Heaton for the starting No7 shirt.

George Barton
When big Willy Rasileka went down injured young Barton got his opportunity to shine in the Seawolves midfield. He took full advantage, earning the starting role through the rest of the season. The 21-year-old is a fearsome prospect on the gainline, either crashing through or stopping attackers dead in their tracks. A year ago he wasn’t quite ready. Barton is still rough around the edges but looks ready to challenge veteran Nick Blevins for a spot on the plane.

Jeff Hassler
Welcome back! That’s about all that needs to be said. Kingsley Jones could not be happier to see one of his star players back on the rugby pitch. Hassler adapted quickly from sailing to running, and by the knock-out matches he looked just about back to his best. Canada has started Hassler, Taylor Paris, and DTH van der Merwe only once together before – but never in the correct configuration. If Jones opts for the latter at outside center, fans could finally get their dream Canadian backline for RWC 2019.

Peter Nelson
The biggest surprise in the Canadian roster. How many people knew that Nelson had a Canadian grandmother? It’s a tenuous qualification clause but those are the regulations and in a limited player pool, all quality is welcome. A starting fullback at u20 level for Ireland and also capped by Emerging Ireland, Nelson has been an honest campaigner at Ulster for eight seasons. The left-footer could also get a look at the troublesome flyhalf, a position he has covered regularly over the past couple seasons.

Mike Sosene-Feagai
A strong campaign with Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup has given the 26-year-old a second chance at international level. The Eagles are oddly well-stocked at hooker with five options named in the training squad and still others like Pat O’Toole and Peter Malcolm left out. Sosene-Feagai is mobile and combative. He won’t be taking Big Joe’s spot but is in the mix for one of two other spots likely to travel in September.

Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz
Not many outside of the South Pacific would have heard his name before he signed with the Houston SaberCats. Those who watched him play in MLR should be fully aware of him now. The 23-year-old played for Samoa at u20 level but also qualifies for the Eagles and bring very different attributes than incumbent eightman Cam Dolan. A bruising ball carrier with an impressive engine, Fa’anana-Schultz could also be an option on the blindside flank. One worth watching.

Nate Augspurger
Not many would have tipped Augspurger for a starting role at No9 just a year ago. He was largely seen as a utility option, capable of covering wing or scrumhalf, who would make the World Cup squad but only as cover. Having now beaten out San Diego clubmate Nick Boyer for the starting role at the Legion, he has now pushed him out of the training squad entirely and Augspurger is poised to give incumbent starter Shaun Davies a run for his money with the Eagles.

Ben Pinkelman, Martin Iosefo, Madison Hughes
The Eagles sevens trio were surprise inclusions in Gary Gold’s squad. Given the improved depth thanks to MLR, it seemed like there was plenty of specialists available to cover. All three are talented athletes with Iosefo and Hughes already capped in XVs. It’s their winning attitude that seems to have convinced Gold that they are worth a look. Whether any can make the final squad remains to be seen but they will have the next nine weeks to prove themselves.

Guillermo Pujadas
A starter as a tighthead prop for the Teritos u20 squad, Pujadas now looks to be concentrating primarily on hooker and has pushed into the second choice role under Germán Kessler. The latter is clearly Uruguay’s best but the backup role was very much up for grabs. With Facundo Gattas now considered a loosehead prop, Carlos Arboleya in pseudo-retirement, and Carlos Pombo seemingly out of the picture, it’s Pujadas who looks set to wear the No16 jersey in Japan.

Ignacio Dotti
There was no doubt that Dotti would be a starter for Los Teros, and almost assuredly at lock given that’s where he has won all of his caps previously. NOLA Gold coach Nate Osborne may have given Esteban Meneses some ideas, however, by utilizing Dotti mostly as a blindside flanker in the latter part of the MLR season. Uruguay have been somewhat undersized in the forwards since the days when Nicolás Brignoni, Nicolás Grille, and Rodrigo Capó Ortega would line up in the back row. If Capó Ortega remains in the picture for the Japan, it could be an opportunity for Meneses to try Dotti on the blindside with Manuel Leindekar the other starting lock.

Santiago Civetta
Further muddying the back row selection has been the form of another recent Teritos graduate. Civetta is capable of playing across the back row and though he still has some filling out to do, at 6’2″ (1.89m) he is a taller and more athletic option to incumbent openside Juan Manuel Gaminara. Just 21 years old, his inexperience counts against him but if form is weighted equally there must be serious considerations given from Meneses to look at other options in his first choice side.

Agustín Ormaechea
Having lost his starting role to the younger Santiago Arata, the RWC 2015 incumbent is dead set on winning the No9 shirt back in time for RWC 2019. Injuries have hampered Arata this season while Ormaechea looks the more secure player at the moment. His experience and leadership are certainly desirable attributes and at the very least it’s a great problem for Meneses to decide between two outstanding scrumhalves.

Juan Manuel Cat
The other big question for Meneses to answer will be who is his starting No10. Felipe Berchesi was Ormaechea’s partner in 2015 and the go-to man since, but with Cat playing more at flyhalf than outside center recently and impressing, there just may be a shift in the ranking. It may depend on who Meneses prefers at No13. Nicolás Freitas is again proving an option to partner Andrés Vilaseca, with the MLR trio of Leandro Leivas, Gastón Mieres, and Rodrigo Silva possible starters in the outside backs.

 

UNDER

Santiago Cordero, Juan Imhoff
There’s no question who the biggest ‘losers’ were in Argentina’s squad announcement. Many were shocked to see that two of the premier wingers in Europe were left out in the cold by Ledesma. While the overseas quota has been removed, the coach has still given preference to those located domestically, meaning that Cordero and Imhoff miss out to Jaguares starters Ramiro Moyano and Bautista Delguy. There can be no doubting their attacking prowess, but leaving out the RWC 2015 starters completely seems an overly rigid stance.

Javier Ortega Desio
His switch from flanker to No8 started off well, with the rangy link-man impressing with both the Jaguares and Pumas. Over the past few months his form has dipped, however, and the recall of Isa to the squad clearly indicates that Ledesma will turn to the more powerful Toulon man rather than Ortega Desio. His experience makes him a probable tourist still, but a starting role with the Pumas at RWC 2019 looks far less likely.

Martín Landajo
Gonzalo Bertranou had pushed into the starting spot for the Jaguares and Pumas before injury, but Landajo can’t even get a spot on the bench now with long-time rival Tomás Cubelli now in the hot seat and Ezcurra called up to the bench. If Bertranou returns to full fitness ahead of RWC 2019 there’s a real chance Landajo could miss the plane entirely. Ledesma could also opt to bring just two specialist scrumhalves with Sebastián Cancelliere having played well at the position for the Argentina XV before focusing on the wing with the Jaguares.

Joaquín Tuculet
A knee injury ruled the veteran fullback out for much of last year and it has flared up recently again. The 51-cap veteran is nearing his 30th birthday and recovery from such damage can no longer be taken for granted. Emiliano Boffelli now looks odds-on to start for Los Pumas in the No15 shirt putting the 2015 starter’s place in the squad in jeopardy. Given that several of the backs in the squad can also cover fullback, Tuculet’s time at test level may be coming to a close.

Brett Beukeboom
The most notable absentee from the list of forwards named by Kingsley Jones to prepare for the Pacific Nations Cup. Beukeboom has captained Canada previously and led the Cornish Pirates all season, starting every game for the RFU Championship side. With 35 caps to his name he is the most experienced lock available but it seems Jones has his eyes elsewhere for his starting XV. The question is now who will partner Evan Olmstead in the Canadian engine room, with four specialist locks in the running and Kyle Baillie an option at lock or on the blindside flank.

Matt Evans
It’s not entirely clear if the 31-year-old is fully fit at the moment, but it now looks unlikely that he will be making a third World Cup. Evans has been used largely as a winger for the Pirates and couldn’t nail down a starting role this season. With a full stock of wingers and Nelson now in the mix at fullback, it’s hard not to wonder if the test career of Evans has come to a close.

Brock Staller
Seattle fans are perplexed by the absence of MLR’s leading scorer from Canada’s squad. Those who have been following the selections trend shouldn’t be. Despite his scoring credentials, the likes of Paris, Hassler, van der Merwe, and Arrows pair Dan Moor and Kainoa Lloyd are all ahead in the pecking order on the wing. Staller might have had a look at fullback were it not for the sudden arrival of Nelson, who is also a reliable goal kicker.

Dino Waldren
Some had tipped the former London Scottish tighthead to push on and challenge for a starting position with the Eagles. Instead he’s now on the outside looking in, with Titi Lamositele’s success in the No3 shirt with Saracens likely to see him get a run in that position and the strength of Paddy Ryan and Paul Mullen in the scrum pushing Waldren to the side. He’s not out of the running yet but his World Cup odds have definitely taken a hit.

David Tameilau
Another seemingly in danger of losing his spot. At his best, Tameilau is as dangerous a ball carrier as there is available to the USA, but his off-the-ball work rate has been criticized in the past and he saw little game time for Glasgow this past season. The form of Fa’anana-Schultz has Gary Gold looking elsewhere though the sudden retirement of Samu Manoa may offer Tameilau a reprieve.

Nick Boyer
The World Cup was within his grasp just a few short months ago. Boyer started the MLR season as the first choice scrumhalf for San Diego but was pushed out to the unfamiliar spot of wing when Augspurger took his chance. He has now been left out of the 50-man squad entirely with Mike Petri tabbed as 4th-choice halfback and Boyer left on the sidelines. For a player with his unique physical attributes and obvious talent it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

John Ryberg
Uncapped players were always going to struggle to make the Eagles squad but if anyone put their hand up as a possibility, it was Ryberg. The Glendale Raptors winger trampled over everything in his path this season en route to a league-leading 13 tries in 15 games. In the end it wasn’t enough. Ryberg hasn’t shown much of a kicking game while there were questions of his ability to deal with more agile opponents in defense. If this was 2018 he might have been called up with extra attention given to those deficiencies by the coaching stuff, but in a World Cup year there just isn’t enough time. Another strong season in MLR could see him given a look in 2020.

Juan Manuel Gaminara
The captain of Los Teros continues to start on the flank but there is now a question as to whether he should be first choice. Civetta’s recent form has been more impressive while the likes of Leandro Segredo, Manuel Diana, and Gonzalo Soto Mera all offer more in terms of size and athleticism. The option of Dotti on the blindside, as mentioned above, also puts strain on Gaminara’s starting role. The 30-year-old is an inspirational figure at his best, but with no shortage of experience and leadership at other positions will be enough to keep him in the top side?

Santiago Arata
Injuries ravaged his MLR hopes, limiting Arata to just three games for the SaberCats. Discipline also cost him after being sent off early in the game against Canada in the Americas Rugby Championship. He now has an in-form Ormaechea to deal with for the starting scrumhalf shirt at Los Teros. There is still plenty of time for him to turn his fortunes around, but to date 2019 has not been a good year for one of the most talented halfbacks in the Americas.