Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Half of the Americas representation at the Rugby World Cup is contained in Pool C where both Argentina and the USA are found. Many have labeled it the ‘Pool of Death’ with both England and France also in search of a Quarter Final spot and Tonga playing the potential spoiler role. England’s form mark them as clear favorites to top the pool but second place is up for grabs with Saturday’s match between Los Pumas and Les Bleus of critical importance.
POOL C FIXTURES
Sat, Sept 21 – France vs Argentina – Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
Sun, Sept 22 – England vs Tonga – Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Thurs, Sept 26 – England vs USA – Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Sat, Sept 28 – Argentina vs Tonga – Hanazono Stadium, Osaka
Wed, Oct 2 – France vs USA – Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka
Sat, Oct 5 – England vs Argentina – Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
Sun, Oct 6 – France vs Tonga – Egao Kenko Stadium, Kumamoto
Wed, Oct 9 – Argentina vs USA – Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
Sat, Oct 12 – England vs France – Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Sun, Oct 13 – USA vs Tonga – Hanazono Stadium, Osaka
ARGENTINA
It has not been a smooth ride for Los Pumas since their Semi Final appearance four years ago. In fact it’s been quite the opposite with a very poor record shared between former coach Daniel Hourcade and current supremo Mario Ledesma. In the meantime the Jaguares have reached new height but Argentina’s European stars have been virtually ignored. It remains a topic of much debate and if the Pumas don’t reach the top four again, is certain to come up again during the debrief.
Current Ranking: 11 (high 3, low 12)
Test Record 2016-Present: 8-33-0
Qualified: RWC 2015, 2nd Pool C
World Cups: 8 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Semi Finals
Head Coach: Mario Ledesma (age 46, Argentina, record 2-11-0) – ‘Super Mario’ made a swift transition from Forwards Coach of Australia to Head Coach of Los Jaguares and finally Head Coach of Los Pumas in the span of just a year. One of Argentina’s greatest front rowers, he was an appointment accompanied by much fanfare. The honeymoon is now over, however, and his methods and selection policy must now yield results.
Captain: Pablo Matera (flanker, age 26, 62 caps) – Now firmly established as Argentina’s best player and on-field leader, Matera is among the very best flankers in the world. He is a player who seems to have it all – size, strength, agility, and footballing skills. Pumas fans are hoping his second World Cup is as fruitful as his first.
One to Watch: Emiliano Boffelli (fullback, age 24, 25 caps) – Has overtaken Joaquín Tuculet as Argentina’s first choice at the back. Since his debut in 2017 he has been one of the first names on the team sheet. Still just 24, he has the talent to be one of the best in the tournament. Brave under the high ball, a dangerous runner in space, and able to return fire from the boot with interest.
Notable Absentees: There was no shortage of surprise when the squad was announced. First choice scrumhalf Gonzalo Bertranou was deemed short of full fitness after recently recovering from a shoulder injury, while veteran Martín Landajo was simply unwanted. The same can be said for three of Argentina’s most prominent exports – No8 Facundo Isa and wing duo Juan Imhoff and Santiago Cordero, both of whom had been starters at RWC 2015.
Pool Prediction: 2nd
ENGLAND
Second best in the Six Nations but the top team in the Northern Hemisphere according to the odds makers. England boast strength in depth and also versatility. They can change their tactical approach to suit the conditions or even as the game progresses. They are gambling slightly with two players – prop Mako Vunipola and winger Jack Nowell – still recovering from injury but otherwise this is their best chance at a title since their 2003 triumph.
Current Ranking: 3 (high 1, low 8)
Test Record 2016-Present: 34-9-1
Qualified: RWC 2015, 3rd Pool A
World Cups: 8 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Champions
Head Coach: Eddie Jones (age 59, Australia, record 34-9-1) – The mad professor seems to thrive in the spotlight. Four years after leading Japan to their greatest ever win over South Africa, Jones will have a bigger goal in mind this time. Of course he has already participated in a World Cup-winning campaign having been a technical adviser for the Springboks in 2007.
Captain: Owen Farrell (flyhalf, age 27, 73 caps) – Son of Andy, soon-to-be Head Coach of Ireland and formerly of England. Farrell has rugby running through his veins and is very much the on-field general for the side. Not the most creative attacker but an excellent defender and tactician.
One to Watch: Jamie George (hooker, age 28, 40 caps) – A starter for the Lions two years ago but this will be his first real go at the World Cup having appeared in only one match in 2015. With Dylan Hartley out of the running, the ball is firmly in George’s court to prove he is among the world’s elite.
Notable Absentees: It now looks certain that the international career of injured hooker Dylan Hartley (knee) is over, a rather sad end just three matches short of a century and with no World Cup appearances since 2011. Others of his class – former skipper Chris Robshaw, scrumhalf Danny Care, and fullback Mike Brown – have been left out along with polarizing flyhalf Danny Cipriani.
Pool Prediction: 1st
FRANCE
One never knows what to expect from Les Bleus. In that they are magnificently consistent. One week they can obliterate Scotland on French soil, the next they flop in Edinburgh. At their best they play with a joie de vivre that few can live with. Their Quarter Final hopes almost certainly depend on victory over Los Pumas on Saturday.
Current Ranking: 8 (high 2, low 10)
Test Record 2016-Present: 14-25-1
Qualified: RWC 2015, 2nd Pool D
World Cups: 8 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Finalists
Head Coach: Jacques Brunel (age 65, France, record 7-12-0) – A bizarre and unexpected appointment after the swift dismissal of Guy Novès ahead of the 2018 Six Nations. Brunel has not inspired much confidence and won’t be around after the tournament with Fabien Galthié set to take over. Indeed Galthié is already an assistant and there are suggestions that it is he, rather than Brunel, who is largely running the show behind the scenes.
Captain: Guilhem Guirado (hooker, age 33, 70 caps) – This looks likely to be the last hurrah for Guirado in test rugby, with two much younger understudies at the tournament and a coaching staff that seems ready to move on. At his best he remains an inspirational figure. Third-choice in 2011, this is his second World Cup as the starter.
One to Watch: Gaël Fickou (center, age 25, 48 caps) – Appeared in two games in 2015. This is now Fickou’s time to make the jump from almost-there to bona fide star. Since arriving in test rugby as a teenager he has shown glimpses of brilliance but inconsistent selection has seen him moved around into different positions. Fickou has the ability to set the French backs on fire.
Notable Absentees: Injury hasn’t played a major part in selection aside from unfortunate scrumhalf Morgan Parra (ankle). Powerhouse center Mathieu Bastareaud was left out of the group in June, as was winger Teddy Thomas. Missing the final cut were prop Dany Priso and second row Félix Lambey, the latter the most surprising omission.
Pool Prediction: 3rd
TONGA
Could another famous upset be on the card? The Ikale Tahi stunned France in 2011 but a similar result looks unlikely in 2019. Tonga have had the least amount of competitive fixtures since the last tournament, an indictment of World Rugby. They can cause problems but there is a lack of genuine class in the team.
Current Ranking: 15 (high 9, low 20)
Test Record 2016-Present: 8-13-0
Qualified: Oceania 2
World Cups: 7 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Pool Stage
Head Coach: Toutai Kefu (age 45, Tonga, record 8-13-0) – The former Wallabies great has taken the helm of his birth country through the entire World Cup cycle. He seems to be doing a reasonable job having guided the side to victory over Samoa in the qualifiers. Holding him back is a lack of resources that continues to hamper not only Pacific Nations but all Tier 2 and below sides.
Captain: Siale Piutau (center, age 33, 39 caps) – Now entering his third World Cup, the older brother of former All Blacks fullback Charles has been a staple in the side since making his debut in 2011. He is equally comfortable in either midfield spot and a quality player but now entering the twilight of his professional career.
One to Watch: Telusa Veainu (fullback, age 28, 9 caps) – One of the outstanding attacking players in the English Premiership, Veainu has managed only five tests for Tonga since 2015 between injury and club commitments. He is truly a game-changer and has the ability to create something out of nothing. Expect some highlight-reel counter-attacking from their best back.
Notable Absentees: It’s the same old story for Tonga, sadly, as several eligible players have not made themselves available for the tournament. Among them are Clermont Auvergne prop Loni Uhila, Cardiff Blues center Willis Halaholo, and Sunwolves winger Hosea Saumaki. Another winger, Daniel Kilioni, appears to be an injury absentee though it remains unconfirmed.
Pool Prediction: 5th
USA
Two seasons of Major League Rugby has proved a major boost to the Eagles, who now boast a fully professional side for the first time at a World Cup. Another first saw them earning the Americas 1 spot ahead of Canada. As such expectations are high, though perhaps muted given the difficulty of the pool. A Quarter Final spot is highly unlikely but there is an outside chance at felling a big name and possibly finishing third in the pool.
Current Ranking: 13 (high 12, low 20)
Test Record 2016-Present: 24-11-1
Qualified: Americas 1
World Cups: 7 – Detailed History
Best Finish: Pool Stage
Head Coach: Gary Gold (age 52, South Africa, record 15-3-0) – Has undoubtedly benefited from having a greater pool of players to choose from but has also clearly made a difference to the side since coming on board ahead of the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship. This is his second World Cup campaign, having been an assistant with the Springboks in 2011. Gold has the confidence of the players and is focusing on performance rather than results heading into the tournament.
Captain: Blaine Scully (wing, age 31, 50 caps) – Set to return to the USA after six seasons in Europe with Leicester and Cardiff Blues, Scully is the most-capped and most experienced player in the squad who commands respect. Not the fastest winger but rarely makes mistakes and his strength under the high ball in an asset.
One to Watch: AJ MacGinty (flyhalf, age 29, 24 caps) – An obvious choice but his value to the team is immense. Has proven himself against Europe’s best and if the Eagles are to win a famous upset, it will be MacGinty who makes the difference. Suffered a worrying ankle injury in the Pacific Nations Cup but is on track to play in the opener against England.
Notable Absentees: The big man – Samu Manoa – announced his sudden retirement from test rugby in June, a year after outstanding back row Andrew Durutalo did the same. Versatile back Dylan Audsley (ankle) is injured while San Diego teammate Ryan Matyas and Utah’s Gannon Moore, both outside backs, just missed the cut.
Pool Prediction: 4th
