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Argentina have been crowed the Sudamérica Rugby u18 champions for 2019. The Argentine u18s went unbeaten at the tournament which concluded in Asunción, Paraguay on Saturday.
With South America’s professional league, the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby beginning in February the u18s have new found importance. For Argentina the competition will close the substantial gap between regular game time at the juniors and in Super Rugby. In 2016-2019 the Argentina XV filled the gap in sporadic competition.
Argentina’s title securing campaign in Asunción saw flanker Aitor Bildosola scoring in the third minute of play on Saturday. Additional tries to Mateo Albanese (the son of former Puma Diego Albanese), and Juan Mernes put Argentina 24-0 ahead in the decider against Uruguay.
Argentina’s dominance continued in the second half. Tries came to Mateo Graziano, Mateo Waisberg, Tomás Oria, (2), Augusto Lobo Silva, and Ernesto Giúdice to give Argentina an emphatic 67-0 victory.
In prior matches Argentina had also impressed. Against Paraguay, Argentina were 59-0 winners and they downed Chile 39-10.
Chile finished in second position, doing so with a 31-14 win over Uruguay, and a 17-7 win against Paraguay. Uruguay claimed third spot due to their 19-7 win over Paraguay on Thursday.
Not competing in the tournament were Brazil. Their non-participation follows economic issues which resulted in the recent departure of the national men’s head coach.
