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

Mexico
Mexico set a new record on Saturday in hammering the Cayman Islands in the Americas Rugby Challenge (ARCh). Las Serpientes’ scored over 100 points for the first time in their history. The 105-17 victory surpassed Mexico’s prior record win of 96-0 against the Turks & Caicos Islands in 2014. Mexico are now ranked higher than ever before and return home in their strongest ever standing. The future is bright for Las Serpientes.

Colombia
A perfect three bonus point victories saw Colombian completing the ARCh with the maximum fifteen competition points. Los Tucanes were superior to all of the Cayman Islands, Mexico, and Paraguay and, like Las Serpientes, are at an all-time high. Colombia can now look ahead to the future and target the next regional team above them – Chile.

Canada
It was far from perfect, but Canada pulled away in the final quarter to defeat the BC All-Star XV 45-13 at Westhills Stadium on Friday evening. Only four points separated the two sides at halftime but superior fitness and a dominant scrum saw Canada through in the end. The Canadians can now prepare for their match this coming weekend against the USA with a win under their belts.

Justin Blanchet, Shane O’Leary
The biggest winners, if there will be any, from Canada’s win over BC were Justin Blanchet and Shane O’Leary. Both may have given selectors more food for thought regarding the first XV ahead of this weekend’s test against the USA. Blanchet adds a physical dimension on the blindside flank and could bump Kyle Baillie into the second row. O’Leary was outstanding, his kicking particularly impressive, but will it be enough to sway Kingsley Jones?

Jaguares XV
Los Jaguares XV made history on Saturday by winning the Currie Cup First Division Final. The title was secured in the toughest match of the campaign for the Argentine side. Fly half Domingo Miotti was man of the match and also player of the tournament. Big things await him in 2020 and many names from the campaign are now strong contenders for Super Rugby 2020.

Fharid Samano
Mexico’s record-breaking win came with Cumiyais Monterrey RFC winger Fharid Samano scoring seven tries. The mark of seven tries was the most in a test match since José Maria Nuñez Piossek scored nine for Argentina against Paraguay in 2003. The mark can now be written into the record books in the ARCh and is likely to remain for a very long time.

 

UNDER

Cayman Islands
Upon qualifying for the ARCh in place of Guyana there were massive celebrations, and rightfully so. Yet the campaign of the Cayman Islands in the ARCh did not go to plan. The team were badly beaten in all three matches with their defeat against Mexico on Saturday coming just two years after the Caymans had beaten Mexico 39-17.

Paraguay
The headaches that emerged in Paraguay’s historic loss to Mexico were only added to on Saturday. Los Yákares were beaten 54-15 by Colombia, a marine bigger than both prior defeats. The Paraguayans were far from being of the required standard which now sees them dropping below both Colombia, and Mexico in the rankings. 2019 was forgettable for the Paraguayans.

Brazil XV
Friday’s match in Montevideo saw Uruguay well and truly overpowering Brazil. Os Tupis were heavily beaten, losing 43-5. The home side was far better than Brazil with impressive structure and execution. Brazil’s formidable scrum was nowhere to be seen as the Uruguayans took the Brazilians to the cleaners.

Test Match Status
Friday’s international between Uruguay and Brazil was changed to a non-capped fixture between the Uruguay XV and Brazil XV. This saw large replacements benches utilized with more than 23 men able to play for both teams during the 80 minutes. It’s a departure from warm-up matches for other nations. Both Uruguay and Brazil were fielding experienced lineups, it thus seems odd that the decision was made not to make it a full-on test.

Leandro Segredo
The notable absentee from Uruguay’s 31-man RWC roster was that of Leandro Segredo. The 24-year-old made his test debut in 2018 and would play well who on international duty both then and in 2019. Hie non-inclusion comes with Manuel Ardao, Santiago Civetta, and captain Juan Manuel Gaminara instead selected as the flankers. The decision to move Franco Lamanna to lock also contributed to Segredo missing out.

José Manuel Diosa
Colombian captain José Manuel Diosa has retired, doing so after 95 appearances for Los Tucanes in both capped and non-capped internationals. Diosa has been a constant in the team for a decade since making his debut in 2009 at the age of 20. His name will live on in Colombian rugby as one of the true pioneers of the game.