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

Uruguay
Looking to build well into the final stage of RWC preparations Uruguay have acquired the services of two former Pumas. Fly half Federico Todeschini, and second-rower Pablo Bouza have joined Uruguay’s coaching staff on two month deals with the former in charge of the kicking and the latter of the line out. Their presence is a notable boost for Uruguay.

Uruguay u20s
Los Teriots started their u20 Trophy in style by hammering Kenya 63-11. The strength of the Uruguayan forward pack in the scrum and maul proved unstoppable as the Kenyans conceded nine tries to only one on their own behalf. In game two Uruguay were beaten though they did give title favorites Japan a genuine contest.

Jaguares XV
The Jaguares XV backed-up from their opening round victory over the Griffons by completing a big win today over the Boland Kavaliers in Potchefstroom. The Argentine development side were 54-17 winners to go 2-0 in the Currie Cup First Division where they are the outright leaders. The Boland Kavaliers were behind for the full 80 minutes as Los Jaguares XV put on a performance in which they were in complete control.

NOLA Gold
The NOLA Gold are moving quickly to secure their top talent for the new Major League Rugby season. Nikola Bursic, and Eric Howard are the latest, new signatures with both staying in New Orleans. They  follow Tristan Blewett’s recent extension, with Scott Gale already under contract for 2020.

San Diego Legion
The latest big name arrival for the 2021 Major League Rugby season will be playing for the San Diego Legion. The Californians announced the signing of former Trinidad & Tobago native and former England flanker Steffon Armitage for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. He joins from Top 14 club Pau, where he has been a consistent presence for the past three seasons after spending five years with Toulon. Also signing with the Legion this past week was Psalm Wooching to remain for a further season.

 

UNDER

Canada Women
A late try by the USA saw them defeating Canada and with it the Canadians ended their Women’s Rugby Super Series campaign winless. The 20-18 defeat followed prior losses against New Zealand, and England. The 1-3 record was a disappointment for Canada yet what is of note is that they fell to both England, and the USA by two point margins.

Paraguay
Having fallen behind Brazil, and Colombia in recent years Paraguay is further behind Chile, and Uruguay than what would have been perceivable at the start of the RWC 2015-2019 cycle. In looking to play catch-up and to also improve the Women’s game Paraguay has advertised to Argentine players who were born in Paraguay or qualify via ancestry to play for them. With Argentina, and Uruguay having remarkable production lines, and club systems Paraguay’s move is different to the regional success to instead be a quick-fix.

Benjamín Urdapilleta
Having patiently waited for a test recall over six years Benjamín Urdapilleta’s moment finally arrived. Yet  a bicep injury saw in training last week saw his return put on hold. The Castres fly half will not play in the Rugby Championship opener against New Zealand and nor in the week two match against Australia. His first possibility will be against South Africa in Salta.

Juan Ignacio Brex
Argentine center Juan Ignacio Brex has changed his allegiance to Italy. The Argentina XV and Los Pumas 7’s player is still only 26-years-old and Italy want him to play for them. With an Italian passport, he is able to use the ‘Olympic loophole’ after observing a three-year stand-down period. He could yet play  for Italy at RWC 2019, and one day against Argentina.

World Rugby and Olympics
On Sunday England qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games in both the Men’s and Women’s Rugby 7’s events. Yet England is not involved in the Olympics, instead it is a part of Team Great Britain. With World Rugby not following the same national criteria as that of the IOC, the confusion means that England qualified for the Olympics and will play as Great Britain, a country comprised of the rugby unions of England, Scotland, and Wales as well as for Northern Ireland.

Brazil u20s
The home side of the World Rugby u20 Trophy are winless after two matches of the tournament. They played proudly in game one against Japan and then had victory slip out of their hands against Kenya. With it Brazil are 0-2 heading into their final pool match against Uruguay on Wednesday.

Canada u20s
Also winless after two matches is Canada. The North Americans were far from their best first up against Tonga, and from there they were beaten by an impressive second half effort from Portugal.  Their remaining pool match is against Hong Kong, a match which should be a win for the Canadians.