Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

 

UP

Mexico Women 10s, Men’s u19
Mexico made it a special week as they won the Women’s 10s and Men’s u19 competitions in Barbados. The women were convincing 22-0 winners over Jamaica in the Final while the men were 30-20 winners of the USA South Panthers in their final. Competing at the RAN event were Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and the USA South.

Brazil u20
In overtime Brazil pulled-off a stunning 32-29 victory over Hong Kong on Sunday. In doing so Os Curumins avoided finishing in bottom spot and also made up for their heart-breaking loss against Kenya. The result comes at a time in which Brazilian rugby is at a cross-roads. The established players are playing all matches for their country, including Rugby Sevens when available and there is a concern over future development. The Súper Liga is the pathway with the u20 players to be high on the recruitment list.

Canada u20
On Sunday Canada brought their World Rugby u20 Trophy campaign to a close with a dominant 52-13 victory over Kenya on Sunday afternoon in the first match of finals day in São José dos Campos. It saw the Canadian record at 2 wins and 2 losses with a final placing of 5th overall. There were performances of note from players to develop into potential professionals and future Canadian test players.

NOLA Gold
Also in ‘Up’ this week is Canadian forward Kyle Baillie. The 28-year-old was among the best players this past season for NOLA Gold. He is the latest player to renew his contract with NOLA Gold, and will not be going anywhere soon after signing a three-year extension. He follows Tristan Blewett, Eric Howard, and Nikola Bursic in recent long-term signings.

San Diego Legion
Recruitment of note this past week came from the San Diego Legion. The Californians secured the services of Wales second-rower Dominic Day, and also extended the contract of loose head Oti Pifeleti. The Legion are very well positioned for the 2020 Major League Rugby season, being perhaps the best placed side to challenge the Seattle Seawolves.

Jaguares XV
Los Jaguares XV pulverized the Border Bulldogs, winning 78-12 in East London on Saturday. The bonus point win means the Argentine side has maximum points after three rounds and is sitting comfortably at the top of the Currie Cup First Division Standings.

Domingo Miotti
Assisting in five tries for the Jaguares XV was Domingo Miotti. The uncapped Argentine fly half is a Puma in waiting and there is a strong case for him to go to RWC 2019. Officially he is behind three others – Nicolás Sánchez, Benjamín Urdapilleta, and Joaquín Díaz Bonilla. At the start of his career, currently aged 23, Miotti has it all in front of him. The other three happen to already be in their 30’s.

Sean Duke
Out of retirement for a second time is Canadian Sean Duke. The 31-year-old has made a surprise return to the Canadian Men’s Sevens team for the Pan Am Games, three years after he called it quits on the international stage following 42 HSBC Sevens Series events and 11 test caps. The medical student has thrown his hat back in the mix with the Olympics suddenly on offer after the team won the North American Qualifier event in George Town just 10 days ago. This will be Duke’s second Pan Am Games.

 

UNDER

Argentina
Los Pumas were close to a win against the world No1 New Zealand but were, ultimately, unable to get the job done. The 20-16 defeat sees Argentina still waiting for their first ever win over the All Blacks. It will come though on Saturday it was there for the taking. A foot in touch by Ramiro Moyano saw one try disallowed while the forwards were held off late in the game despite being within range.

Uruguay u20
Los Teritos were 29-27 losers against Tonga in their final match of the Junior World Trophy. The result saw Uruguay finishing in a strong overall position of 4th place but it was the manner of the defeat that sees them being listed in ‘Under’. Having been 29-15 down Uruguay would score twice with the second coming in the final play of the match. With a conversion to seal a draw, the kick hit the posts to see Tonga holding on for a win.

Nicolás Sánchez
It is tough to point a finger at one moment for the result of a match but the fact is Argentina were beaten by four points and New Zealand happened to score seven thanks to a mistake from Nicolás Sánchez. The Stade Français fly half received second phase line out ball and darted back, rather than opening to the go-forward side, which did not fool the covering defense  and his pass went straight into the hands of Brodie Retallick.

Agustín Creevy
Injured against New Zealand was Agustín Creevy. The former Pums captained suffered a sprain to his shoulder and was excluded from the 30-man touring party to face Australia this coming Saturday in Brisbane. The loss sees the uncapped Santiago Socino in the mix for the first time and a certain test debut will take place against the Wallabies.

Robert Barbieri
The career is over for Canada’s Italian international Robert Barbieri. He confirmed his retirement from professional rugby aged 35 after enjoying a 16-year career in Europe including more than a decade playing for Benetton Treviso in the Italian 1st division and the Guinness Pro Championship. Born and raised in Toronto where he was part of the York Yeomen club, Barbieri was spotted by Italian selectors while playing for Canada under-19. He would earn 43 caps including playing for Italy at RWC 2011.

World Rugby Player Eligibility
Japan’s RWC 2019 plans were forced into a change this past week with Grant Hattingh, and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco ruled out. The latter follows fellow Australian Ben Gunter in not being eligible in time. Meanwhile zero action has been taken from World Rugby to clear up the mess. Following the chaos that World Rugby’s incompetence caused and resulted in Romania, and Spain being disqualified from RWC 2019 the courts instructed World Rugby to set-up an online player data base documenting eligibility per player.