Up and Under

Up and Under is usually a weekly segment on Americas Rugby News. It has been on hold since March 16 because of COVID-19. Up and Under makes a return today thanks to the large number of off-field activities during the past week.

 

UP

Dallas Jackals
Texas will have three teams competing in 2021 Major League Rugby. The new side is the Dallas Jackals and they will play the 2021 season at Globe Life Park. In direct contrast to the controversial LA Giltinis branding, the Jackals have been a smash hit on social media. The ownership group boasts Dallas Mavericks President and GM Donnie Nelson and Neil Leibman, co-owner and Chief Operating Officer of the Texas Rangers.

Major League Rugby Signings
The off-season transfer season is now in full swing with some notable moves recently getting things started. Rugby ATL have added Pumas center Bautista Ezcurra, with LA capturing Colorado prop Blake Rogers. Heading to the Arrows from England is Canada ‘A’ lock Adrian Wadden, while NOLA have extended emerging stars Matt Harmon and Moni Tonga’uiha. Meanwhile the Giltinis are in talks with several Australian internationals for their inaugural campaign.

Rugby Championship
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic most teams are to play no international competition in 2020. However, emergency plans for the Rugby Championship mean that the tournament is now likely to take place this year. A reconfigured competition is being positioned for October and November with all matches being played in Australia. It will mean no home matches for Los Pumas, though the vital television money is more than welcome.

Castres Olympique
The French Top 14 club officially unveiled their off-season signings this week with Canada captain Tyler Ardron and Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata among the incoming. They displace the retiring Rodrigo Capó Ortega and outgoing Taylor Paris. Already contracted through next season are Canadian prop Matt Tierney and Pumas flyhalf Benjamín Urdapilleta.

Argentine Exodus
Is the departure of top talent from Los Jaguares a good thing? Under the present situation – yes. The money will dry up quickly unless COVID-19 miraculously disappears and Super Rugby can resume as normal. The UAR is now encouraging players to take up offers from abroad. Lucas Mensa has left to play in France and Gonzalo Quesada will coach in Paris once again. Many others are expected to follow. Of them Emiliano Boffelli, Marcos Kremer, Julián Montoya, and Guido Petti are all strongly connected to European clubs.

 

UNDER

Jaguares
Prior to COVID-19 SANZAAR were going to sign a new deal for Super Rugby with Jaguares until 2030. Now it is very unclear what will happen. Los Jaguares are not going to play again in 2020 and the chances of an appearance in 2021 Super Rugby are extremely low. Among the options presented a temporary move to the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby appears most likely. It’s an unfortunate situation for the 2019 Finalists and one of Super Rugby’s most compelling stories.

Sunwolves
The Sunwolves have been cut from Super Rugby. The Japanese franchise have officially played their final match in the competition with 2020 being the franchise’s final season. Their was a project for the Sunwolves to play in Australia’s upcoming competition. The domestic tournament will include Australia’s Super Rugby franchises the Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels, Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs. Joining them is former Super Rugby side, the Western Force. Due to travel complications the Sunwolves will not play in the Australian competition.

Women’s Premier League
The Women’s Premier League has suspended the start of the 2020 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Originally slated to begin on August 29, it’s now unclear when the competition can begin. A public statement from the league confirmed that discussions are taking place to resume based on World Rugby and public health return-to-play guidelines. The goal is to return in time to best support the USA’s preparations for Rugby World Cup 2021.

Glendale Rugby
The City of Glendale has ended all support for the Women’s Premier League and Women’s Division 1 sides. It’s another blow to ‘RugbyTown USA’ having already seen the Colorado Raptors abruptly pulled from Major League Rugby. Negotiations are ongoing between the City and cash-strapped USA Rugby regarding the possible housing of the national organization’s office among other items including training potential test matches. It remains to be seen what rugby takes place at Infinity Park in 2021.

Lucas Noguera Paz
The time of former Jaguares and Pumas prop Lucas Noguera Paz at Bath has concluded. The 26-year-old was released by Premiership club this week, ending what was a frustrating time since joining in 2017. Despite having been Argentina’s starting loosehead under Daniel Hourcade, Noguera Paz struggled for game time at Bath.