Up and Under

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

UP

Uruguay
Los Teros bounced back to defeat Spain on Friday. The 19-10 win leaved the series 1-1 and ends Uruguay’s on-field action for the year. One commonality is that both teams were below full-strength. Another is that they used the series as preparation for Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifiers. Manuel Ardao earned man-of-the-match honors while Manuel Diana, Felipe Etcheverry, Federico Favaro, and captain Andrés Vilaseca were also among Uruguay’s best performers.

Argentina
Los Pumas are well positioned. A week out from their first test match of 2020, they were comfortable winners over the Australia XV. Argentina won both matches. More importantly, Ledesma was able to give all fit players opportunities. Competition for places is grate than ever during his coaching regime. Some players are assured of starting, but the fierceness of competition means in many cases it is not the case. What a difference this is to the RWC 2015-2019 cycle.

World Tens Series
The inaugural World Tens Series event came to a conclusion in Bermuda over the weekend. South African entry SX10 – featuring several world-class Kenya 7s players – were crowned champions after three rounds of entertainment. With top notch production and a very respectable standard of play, it’s onwards an upwards in 2021. Consider us fans.

Ohio Aviators
A long-awaited revival of a great brand. The Aviators were the best-supported team in PRO and took to the field in Bermuda after a three-year hiatus. It was especially pleasing to see the likes of Riekert Hattingh, Kyle Baillie, and Dylan Fawsitt representing Ohio again. With the test run complete, it looks a perfect time to push for an MLR entry in 2022.

Ruben de Haas
The wait is finally over for the Eagles scrumhalf. de Haas made his first class debut for the Cheetahs on Friday evening, coming on as a replacement against the Sharks. The 22-year-old had been in line to do so on two occasions previously, both cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. He follows grandfather Gerard and father Pieter in playing at the highest level for the Free State.

Tony Lamborn
Lamborn had a match to remember on Friday. The USA Eagles flanker took Southland to a 32-15 win over league leaders Otago at Invercargill. Lamborn not only captained the Stags, he also scored the opening try of the match. The win keeps Southland’s Semi Final hopes alive. It also ends a losing streak. Southland lost all four of their matches in October.

Matt Tierney, Santiago Arata
Castres continue their fight against relegation. On Saturday they competed to a draw away to powerhouses Toulouse. Benjamín Urdapilleta was among the scorers. Also involved was Canadian captain Tyler Ardron, tighthead prop Matt Tierney, and Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata. Of note is that Tierney has secured his playing future with the club until 2024. Arata made his first start for the club.

Premier 15s
It was a busy weekend for some of North America’s best exports in the Premier 15s. An impressive seven internationals took part in Exeter’s win over Worcester with Canada’s Emily Tuttosi and the USA’s Gabby Cantorna finding the score-sheet. Meanwhile Sophie de Goede made her professional debut for Saracens just days after being confirmed as a new signing by the club.

MLR Signings
Nine players were confirmed for the 2021 campaign this past week including five new arrivals. Austin signed draft picks Mason Koch and Lui Sitama and after an inexplicable delay finally made Bryce Campbell‘s return to MLR public. Rugby ATL picked up collegiate flanker Daemon Torres. It was a big week for Old Glory with the re-signing of key players Jason Robertson and Mungo Mason, and the addition of Callum Gibbins from the Glasgow Warriors.

UNDER

Juan Figallo
‘Chipi’ Figallo has retired from rugby. The 32-year-old retired from Los Pumas after RWC 2019. Injury complications saw him calling it a day this past Friday. He retirement comes following the advise of medical specialists. Figallo played in three RWCs for Argentina. He played in ten Rugby World Cup matches and was capped 33 times in total by his country. In addition, he won the English Premiership and Champions Cup with Saracens.

Super Rugby
Super Rugby is set to return to a 12-team format. The changes see the involvement of existing Australian, and New Zealand teams, but not Los Jaguares. Pasifika Moana and Fiji have been given the nod in an all-South Pacific format. South Africa’s teams will play in the Pro 14, while the future of Los Jaguares remains uncertain. The Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) has confirmed it would welcome the Argentine Super Rugby franchise into their competition.

La Nationale
Canadian international Peter Nelson is among a number of professional players in France whose season is now in question due to the ongoing pandemic. All amateur sport in France has been suspended until January 10 including the Nationale, the newly-established men’s third division. Elite-level professional sport will continue with both the Top 14 and Pro D2 cleared to proceed. While the Nationale could have opted to carry on, 10 of 14 clubs voted to suspend activities.

Jerónimo de la Fuente
The Perpignan-bound de la Fuente will miss Argentina’s first and second matches of the Tri nations. He was also not fit to play against the Australia XV. Santiago Chocobares and Juan Cruz Mallía both impressed for Argentina. The pair loom as the potential starting midfield against New Zealand on Saturday. de la Fuente’s return is not guaranteed to be in the run-on team. Also under threat is the place of Matías Orlando. Are the veterans on the way out?