Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

 

UP

Bledisloe Cup
After months of waiting, international rugby returned with a bang on Sunday. Fans were treated to an absorbing spectacle as New Zealand and Australia fought to a draw. The finale was nothing short of extraordinary. This coming weekend’s match at Eden Park is certain to have a larger audience as a result. The performances, while unpolished, were enough to give Argentina pause for thought. As for South Africa, that is a different matter altogether…

South American Youth
There will be a number of new faces for the three test sides entered in the South American 4 Nations set to begin this weekend. Each of Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay have mixed youth with experience as the new World Cup cycle officially gets underway. It’s an exciting time for as each team searches for new stars ahead of the 2021 Americas Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification.

Toronto Arrows
The week began for the Arrows with a huge signing. Argentina star Joaquín Tuculet joins former Pumas teammate Manuel Montero at the Major League Rugby contenders. On the same day Canadian international Patrick Parfrey and promising hooker Jack McRogers also re-upped for 2021. The Arrows now boast unmatched strength in depth throughout their backline. At the end of the week the team unveiled a revised Player Pathway schematic that gives young Canadian players a clear direction to the professional ranks.

Premier 15s
The top women’s competition in England finally got underway this past weekend. Six North American players took part in the first broadcast of the season. While they came up short, for most it was their first ever match in the semi-professional division. Two Canadians – Courtney Holtkamp and Sara Svoboda – suited up for Loughborough in their win over Sale, with the USA’s Jess Wooden on the opposite side of the pitch. Look for more Canadian players to sign on in the coming weeks.

Ignacio Calles
Just a few days after being selected to the Pumas roster for the Rugby Championship and Ignacio Calles has another reason to smile. The hooker-turned-loosehead prop has signed a new contract with Pau that will keep him with the Top 14 club until at least 2023. In a few days time he will also celebrate his 25th birthday. It’s been a good month for Calles.

Tomás Cubelli & Julián Montoya
Two players seemingly stuck in limbo are now spoken for. Pumas starters Tomas Cubelli and Julian Montoya have signed with the Western Force for the 2021 season. It’s a return to Australia for Cubelli, who previously spent two seasons with the Brumbies. For Montoya it is mixed emotions as a deal with Leicester fell away at the last minute but his new home should see him playing some form of Super Rugby next year after all.

Biarritz Olympique
Biarritz have nudged ahead of Perpignan, Vannes, and Oyonnax at the top of the Pro D2 table. Canadian lock Evan Olmstead has been a leading figure up front as the club looks to book its return to the Top 14 for the first time since 2014. A heavyweight clash with Taylor Paris and Oyonnax, who have a game at hand, awaits this coming weekend.

Darren Coleman
The soon-to-be LA coach has guided his Shute Shield club to a first place finish at the end of the regular season. Gordon enter the knock-out rounds as favorites. There are two MLR players – James King and Lindsey Stevens – with Eastern Suburbs, who have also made it, while former Free Jack Brad Hemopo’s North team and Old Glory prop Jake Turnbull’s Randwick are also in the final six. Sydney’s storied club competition has been home to several MLR players over the last three months.

 

UNDER

Rugby Championship
While the Bledisloe Cup result helps build excitement for the Rugby Championship, last-minute changes to the schedule are unwelcome. New Zealand have lobbied (paid) their way out of the December 12 date though the Pumas will still compete on that day. Even more concerning are rumors that South Africa may pull out altogether, with the feeling from their camp that their players are too undercooked to compete. Once again Argentina have raised no such complaints despite being in the same situation.

Gonzalo García
One of Argentina’s brightest young talents at scrumhalf has been forced to drop out of the South American 4 Nations. Ceibos and Pumitas standout Gonzalo García suffered a broken hand in training and has returned home. Ceibos backup Joaquín Pellandini has been called in his place.

Brazil’s missing forwards
It will be interesting to see how the young Tupis forwards handle the jump in competition, but spare a though for Brazil coach Fernando Portugal. He was forced to expedite selection of several untested players in the absence of some key veterans. 43-test lock Lucas Piero has opted to retire, with first choice pair Luiz Vieira and Italy-based Matteo Dell’Acqua unavailable. Starting flankers Arthur Bergo and Cléber Dias are both injured, with alternatives Michael Moraes and Felipe Rosa away in Portugal.