Up and Under – RWC Special 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. In this week’s edition ARN has expanded the scope to incorporate all not only the Americas but also from RWC 2019.

 

UP

Uruguay
They may not be world beaters but Uruguay are very well structured, match fit, and highly committed. Against Wales they were in the match until the final ten minutes. This was a remarkable improvement from the corresponding fixture from RWC 2015. Los Teros were a genuine highlight of the pool stage and were among the most improved teams in the tournament.

Japan
A history making performance from Japan saw the RWC 2019 hosts securing a first ever place in the Quarter Finals of a Rugby World Cup. The achievement came by going unbeaten in Pool A, including claiming the scalps of Tier 1 countries Ireland and Scotland. The conquering of Scotland on Sunday in Yokohama was one of the great sporting occasions of 2019.

Canada
Canada’s pool match against Namibia was cancelled. It was unplayable due to the seriousness of Typhoon Hagibis. While this was very disappointing the reality is that people lost their lives and Kamaishi was struck hard by the severe weather. Canada’s players helped in the clean-up, in doing so they showed the spirit of rugby as true heroes.

Argentina
Argentina may not have had a memorable campaign at RWC 2019 though they have qualified for RWC 2023. Los Pumas secured their place in France 2023 by finishing in the top three of their pool. The eleven others confirmed for France 2023 are Australia, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.

Ireland
Ireland booked their place in the Quarter Finals of RWC 2019 with a superb 47-5 win over Samoa on Saturday. The match was the only game of the day due to the Typhoon danger canceling the other two. Ireland’s dominant win came despite Samoa having been down to 14-men for three quarters of the match.

Australia
The Wallabies secured their place in the Quarter Finals with a 27-8 win on Friday. Australia’s opponent in the final eight will be England, a team they have played a lot against in recent years and in Rugby World Cups. In 2015 Australia defeated England to eliminated them from the tournament they hosted.

Georgia
Georgia ended their RWC 2019 campaign feeling bitter-sweet. On the one hand the Lelos failed to qualify automatically for RWC 2023 but on the other hand they put in a committed performance to frustrate Australia. The final score read 27-8 to the Wallabies but the bonus point win was only secured with less than two minutes remaining.

South Africa
The Springboks completed their pool matches with a 3-1 record. They rebounded from losing against New Zealand to defeat Namibia, Italy, and Canada convincingly. South Africa will now face Japan in the final eight, a mouth-watering rematch from the miracle of Brighton from RWC 2015.

Tonga
With a 31-19 win over the USA on Sunday, Tonga completed their RWC 2019 campaign on a high. Tonga went into the game ranked below the USA though finished it as comfortable winners. The four tries to three victory follows Tonga’s narrow defeat against France seven days earlier.

Wales
With a 35-13 victory on Sunday Wales completed the pool stage undefeated. It was just the second time in RWC history that Wales went undefeated in the pool stage. With the victory Wales are confirmed to be facing France in the Quarter Finals in Oita.

Cam Dolan
Winning his 50th cap against Argentina on Wednesday was Cam Dolan. The Eagles N8 has been among the leading USA forwards in recent years. He played against both Argentina and Tonga this past week, getting a try assist against Tonga.

Mike Te’o, Blaine Scully
Scoring two tries against Tonga on Sunday was Mike Te’o while Blaine Scully did so against Argentina on Wednesday. The try-scoring doubles were highlights of the tournament for the USA. They represented the majority of tries by the Eagles in the RWC as they scored a total of seven tries.

Juan Cruz Mallía
Having not played at all against France, Tonga, or England, Juan Cruz Mallía made his RWC debut against the USA on Wednesday. He was Player of the Match with two tries scored, two try assists, 157 meters made, 6 line breaks, 3 offloads, and 10 defenders beaten. It was a fabulous performance and one vastly better than those from Matías Orlando in earlier matches.

 

UNDER

USA
RWC 2019 was a winless tournament for the USA. The North Americans were ranked above Tonga though failed to win that game. The decision of Gary Gold to not rest players against Argentina ultimately came at a cost. Blaine Scully, and Eric Fry were both exhausted so much that they were substituted in the opening quarter. Greg Peterson and Titi Lamositele were both also substituted early.

Scotland
Eliminated by Japan on Sunday were Scotland. Their 28-21 defeat was their second of the tournament which sees an underwhelming campaign conclude. Yet this RWC will be remembered for Scotland’s behavior both on and off the field. The SRU threatened World Rugby with legal action if their match vs Japan was to be cancelled.

Fiji
Another side who were ultimately a disappointment was Fiji. The Flying Fijians had it in them to beat both Australia, and Wales yet would lose both games and also dropped their match against Uruguay. As such Fiji finished with a 1-3 record.

Samoa
While Fiji underperformed their neighbors, Samoa were a shadow of their former-selves. Samoa were no match for Ireland or Scotland and were also comfortably beaten by Japan. They defeated Russia, though had two red cards not given and had been behind. In their final match against Ireland they were simply inept, getting hammered by a 14-man side.

Match Cancellations
World Rugby cancelled three pool matches this past weekend. Called off were England vs France, Italy vs New Zealand, and Canada vs Namibia. Such cancellations are unprecedented in Rugby World Cups. The organizers, nonetheless, worked hard to have the games played. This saw Japan vs Scotland green-lighted and with it a classic unfolded in Yokohama.

Rest Days
The trend from throughout this RWC continued in the final week of pool play. Teams with a short turn around of three rest days were unable to put in comparative performances in both matches. The USA’s loss against Tonga was striking. Only a quarter had gone yet Blaine Scully and Eric Fry were both out of the came, visibly exhausted. Titi Lamositele Greg Peterson would be pulled shortly after half time. A new format for RWCs is desired.

Juan Figallo
Pumas tight head Juan Figallo followed Juan Manuel Leguizamón in announcing his retirement this past week. Figallo was the cornerstone of the improved scrum and a vital player for Argentina. In hanging up his boots Argentina are to now look 100% to Los Jaguares.

Josh Larsen
Red carded against South Africa was Josh Larsen. With him sent off Canada were forced to endure a highly complicated time against the Springboks. He was sent off for a shoulder charge, an undisputed red card offense. Post match Larsen went into the South African locker room to apologize. It was well received by the Springboks.

Felipe Ezcurra
What on earth was Ledesma thinking? Gonzalo Bertranou was left out of the RWC only to come in following Tomás Cubelli’s injury and have a superb cameo against the USA. He replaced Felipe Ezcurra who did not perform well. The selection was one of a number of very questionable calls made by Ledesma in his roster.