Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
This past weekend the return of international rugby to the Americas as the South American 4 Nations kicked off. With the games not counting as tests, a number of young players were given opportunities to prove themselves and will do so again later today in the second round.
In Europe there were some standouts in losing causes. Shane O’Leary kicked a drop-goal for Rouen though they fell short to Vannes, and Santiago Cordero raced away on full-time to give Bordeaux a bonus point on the road at Pau. On a winning note DaLeaka Menin scored a cracking try in her return to the Premier 15s for Loughborough who beat Gloucester-Hartpury.
Over in South America we were impressed by Chile, with Santiago Videla among their standouts on the day. Moisés Duque kicked two drop goals and two penalties though it wasn’t enough for Brazil against Uruguay. Back in England, Kate Zackary continued her brilliant form for Exeter with another outstanding performance both at the breakdown and going forward, scoring a try near the end though Chiefs came up two points short against Bristol.
On another week Zackary might well have got the nod, but a superb individual effort from Federico Favaro was simply too much to ignore. The Uruguayan winger kicked an individual record 20 points in the win over Brazil at Montevideo. His deadly boot contributed six penalties and a conversion, cancelling Duque’s performance and overcoming an early 9-nil deficit.
