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

Ceibos
Argentina’s desire of an expanded player base to add to Los Jaguares is now a reality. Los Ceibos have an exciting roster including names such as Castiglioni, Tomás Cubilla, Juan Bautista Daireaux, Lucas Mensa, Francisco Minervino, Franco Molina, and Agustín Segura. The warning is out to those at Jaguares – there is no longer a direct ticket to Los Pumas.

Peñarol
Uruguay’s SLAR side, Peñarol had a busy week in announcing signings. Of those confirmed are RWC players including Diego Arbelo, Alejandro Nieto, Santiago Civetta, Juan Manuel Cat, Santiago Arata, Tomás Inciarte, Nicolás Freitas, Federico Favaro and Agustín Della Corte. They join u20s players to see Peñarol being a mix of the best of today and tomorrow. In a further boost for South American rugby, three Colombians have also joined Peñarol – Diver Ceballos, Geovanny Carvajal, and Danny Giraldo.

Olímpia Lions
The Olímpia Lions continue their recruitment. The latest names to have signed for the Paraguayan team both come from Africa. They are Liam Hendricks (South Africa) and Max Katjikeko (Namibia). Both players are solid signings for the team and further reason to believe that the Olímpia Lions are to be competitive in SLAR.

Austin Herd
The Herd finally have a Head Coach. Months after the departure of Alain Hyardet from the embattled franchise, Austin have brought in Brent Semmons from New Zealand. With a number of roster spots still to be filled and questions over the long-term viability of the team, it’s a much needed boost for Todd Clever’s project. Semmons comes with a history of success and he will need all of his experience to revive the league’s worst performing team in 2019.

Germán Kessler
Kessler was singled out this past week by Eurosport as the revelation of 2019. The Uruguayan hooker was described as having had an excellent Rugby World Cup for Los Teros in Japan. Still aged just 25, Kessler is only just getting started. His recent move to Charente looms as being the start of a prosperous professional rugby career.

Paul Lasike
Eagles midfielder Lasike was a try scorer for the Harlequins on Saturday. The try marked his first score in the English Premiership. It was a score that followers of the Eagles will be familiar with as he charged forward to hit-up and get through attempted tackles from close range. Lasike’s team were in control of the match only to concede late points with the Leicester Tigers seeing the final score out as a draw.

Matt Tierney
Canadian prop Tierney made his first start in the Top 14 for Castres on Sunday. It’s just his second career start in the top French division, his first coming in 2016 at the age of just 20. Tierney did so alongside fellow Canadian international Taylor Paris. Castres were beaten 39-22 by Clermont in the match. Both players are at age that will all but surely see them involved in Canada’s RWC 2023 qualifying campaign and in the frame to play in the tournament itself.

Facundo Bosch, Patricio Fernández, and Santiago Cordero
Three Argentine players were in notable form this past weekend in the Top 14. Bosch was a try scorer in La Rochelle’s 40-8 hammering of Pau; Fernández slotted four goals for Lyon who were 52-9 winners over Bayonne; Cordero ran in two tries for Bordeaux who won 27-23 on the road against Pau. None of these three players were involved in Argentina’s RWC 2019 campaign.

UNDER

Corinthians Rugby
In an unfortunate state of affairs Brazil’s professional team for the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby, Corinthians, is yet to get off the ground. The rugby version of the soccer club with the same name is yet to sign a contract to have a franchise in SLAR and has also not yet got a budget nor named players or staff. The league begins in two months time.

Lucas Mensa
Argentina’s one-team status in Super Rugby sees Mensa named in ‘Under’ this week. With the inside center position full, the RWC 2019 player is to play for Los Ceibos and not Los Jaguares in 2020. This may change late in the season, but for now Mensa is unable to play in the appropriate competition. This underlines why a second Argentine Super Rugby side is needed.

Pablo Matera
Pumas captain Matera left the field early on Saturday. Having started against Montpellier, the flanker lasted just a quarter of the match before being forced off hurt. His injury is now being analyzed ahead of upcoming matches. In the match Stade Français snatched an away draw despite being a mixed bag, including Nicolás Sánchez continuing to play below the levels of past seasons.

Lucas González Amorosino
No longer a rugby player is González Amorosino. He was a Puma over a sustained period of time and played in RWCs 2011 and 2015. In the former tournament his try against Scotland was decisive in seeing Los Pumas make it out of their pool. González Amorosino was also a very busy player outside of international duty. He played for the Leicester Tigers, Montpellier, Oyonnax, Cardiff Blues, Munster, and Los Jaguares.