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

Brazil Sevens
Brazil upset Argentina 19-10 on the opening day of the Sudamérica Sevens on Saturday. Daniel Sancery’s breakaway try sealed the surprise victory for the Tupis, who also recorded a win by a record margin over Uruguay. The win marked Brazil’s second victory in men’s sevens over Argentina. Unlike the 2011 win, the 2020 result was not against a Pumas development outfit.

Argentina Sevens
Los Pumas recovered on Day Two. Argentina’s undefeated day included getting a revenge win over Brazil. With it Argentina were crowned the 2020 South American men’s 7’s champions. A much better performance saw Argentina’s topping Brazil 26-14 in the Cup Final. Argentina’s Mateo Carreras won the Man of the Tournament award.

British Virgin Islands
The BVI rugby community have demonstrated an example of rugby values. The rugby community rapidly responded to news of a medical diagnosis that BVI test player Kenrick Thomas has a hole in his septum and is in urgent need of immediate expensive heart surgery. US$20,000 is needed to cover the costs. Thus far US$13,000 has been raised. You can help contribute to the effect by clicking here.

Carrasco Polo
Carrasco Polo are the 2020 Campeonato Uruguayo champions. The club won by defeating 2019 champions Old Christians 25-18 in the final on Saturday. The title extends Carrasco Polo’s record as Uruguay’s greatest club of all-time. Carrasco Polo has 28 national titles. Old Christians is next best with 20. Uruguayan test back Nicolás Freitas had a strong match. Colombian props Carlos Ángulo and Daniel Gutiérrez both impressed as did Argentine scrum half Manuel Nogués.

Major League Rugby
It was another busy week for the league with the 2021 schedule officially released. Circle March 20 as the day (hopefully) that the North American professional competition kicks off its fourth season. There were some big signings announced as Austin confirmed Reegan O’Gorman, the Legion picked up Hencus van Wyk, and LA unveiled Langilangi Haupeakui and Bill Meakes. Our latest update of all the off-season movement can be seen here.

North Americans in Loughborough vs Exeter
North Americans played a key role on both sides of the ball in Saturday’s Premier 15s match between Loughborough and Exeter. It was the Lightning who ultimately took the spoils on their home ground with a hard-fought 14-7 win over the Chiefs. DaLeaka Menin, Courtney Holtkamp, and Sara Svoboda all started for the Lightning with Abby Duguid coming off the bench. On the other side were Emily Tuttosi, McKinley Hunt, Kate Zackary, Taylor Back, and Gabby Cantorna. Hunt scored Exeter’s only try while Holtkamp took home Player of the Game honors.

Ramiro Moyano, Santiago Cordero, Germán Kessler
Pumas wingers Moyano and Cordero both scored tries this past weekend. They did so in winning efforts in the European Champions Cup. Also among the scorers was Uruguayan hooker Kessler. His try helped Charente to a 22-13 home win over Aurillac. The win lifts Charente in the Pro D2 standings. Both Toulon and Bordeaux started their Champions Cup campaigns very well.

Will Percillier
The Canadian scrumhalf made his first senior start for Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup on Saturday. Though they were ultimately well beaten by Kieran Crowley’s Benetton Treviso, it was a big moment for Percillier who played a full 80 minutes including the final quarter as a makeshift flyhalf.

Martin Iosefo
A Schnuggle of Schnauzers clinched the Golden Eagles Showdown on Saturday with the intra-squad series ended one game early as a result. Both the Schnauzers and the Rampaging Ridgebacks had their moments over the two weekends of play. While some newcomers earned plaudits in the first leg, the second was dominated by the veterans. Martin Iosefo showed his power and pace once again to emerge as the runaway Player of the Series.

 

UNDER

Uruguay Sevens
Uruguay was notably the weakest of the four teams at the South American Sevens. Los Teros 7’s were winless in the tournament. Uruguay’s best showing was a 7-0 loss against Chile. Additional day one results we’re a 53-0 loss against Argentina and a 45-0 defeat against Brazil. The margin against Brazil was a new record win for the Brazilians over the Uruguayans. Day two was no better; Uruguay fell to a 29-0 loss against Brazil and a 31-5 loss to Chile in the Bronze Final.

Controversial RWC 2023 Draw
The draw for RWC 2019 will take place today in Paris, France. World Rugby determined that 2020 rankings will not be considered. Instead, the official rankings from the start of 2020 have been implemented to seed the participants into bands. The policy has favored some and harmed others. The biggest winners are Wales who are seeded in the top four with England, New Zealand and South Africa. despite being ranked two bands lower, Wales cannot face any of the three teams in pool play for this reason. Wales are currently ranked two categories lower. It is the latest controversy from World Rugby. Better governance is required for future RWCs.

Jaguares Exodus
The exodus of Jaguars to foreign teams continued this past week. The Western Force added Domingo Miotti, Santiago Medrano and Tomás Lezana to their roster. In doing so the Western Australian side now has five Jaguares for the 2021 season. Also departing Los Jaguares is Santiago Carreras. The fullback is on his way to Gloucester. The loss of players means a potential Jaguares line-up in 2021 would be unrecognizable.

Gonzalo Quesada
Stade Français’ Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada received a four week ban. The Argentine was suspended by the LNR for the exchange he had with match officials following his club’s match against Lyon on November 29. Lyon won the match 20-19 with prop Demba Bamba scoring a highly questionable try in the 76th minute. Quesada’s ban means he cannot enter the field or dressing rooms until January 04, 2021.

Juan Pablo Socino
Juan Pablo Socino is one of 13 players who have been sanctioned by the RFU as a result of their breach of protocol that led to the cancellation of the Barbarians match against England in October. The players were twice caught leaving quarantine to socialise at local establishments, on the second occasion doing so after being explicitly instructed to stay at their hotel. Socino has been suspended for a total of four weeks – two each for the COVID breach and providing a ‘false account’ when questioned. He has also been mandated to complete 60 hours of community work to be completed before October 19 of next year.