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

Gold produce stunning upset of Giltinis against all odds
Rugby fans who tuned in for the last fixture of the weekend were treated to something special. NOLA’s triumph over LA was one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. The Gold were missing eight players to international duty, their captain among several injured, and one player to suspension. They lost another key forward in the opening minutes and were still trailing in the 70th minute when they were hit with a yellow card. As a result NOLA are suddenly very much alive in the playoff picture.

Free Jacks bid farewell to Weymouth with big win over New York
The stage was set for NOLA by the Free Jacks, who embraced the spoiler role with a tremendous win over New York on Saturday. Rain fell in sheets throughout but New England held their composure, outscoring their favored guests by four tries to none. It was a fitting farewell to Union Point Stadium as the Free Jacks will play their last game of the season at their new home of Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy.

Arrows end losing streak against Old Glory
Already eliminated from playoff contention, Toronto and DC nonetheless produced an entertaining and competitive fixture with eight tries split between the two sides. The Arrows finally got a win after five consecutive defeats, boosted by an inspired performance from halfbacks Andrew Ferguson and Tayler Adams. There is now just one game left of the never-ending road trip for Toronto as they face the Free Jacks in Marietta on Sunday.

USA exceeds expectations against England
The Eagles finally returned to the pitch for a 4th of July fixture against England, their first test match since RWC 2019. It was a markedly superior effort to that against England in Japan. The North Americans scored four tries in a 43-29 losing effort and exhibited a never-say-die attitude. If they build on this performance heading towards the RWC 2023 qualifiers then they are a certainty to book their place in France as Americas 1.

Chile join Brazil and Uruguay in South American finals of RWC 2023 Qualifiers
Chile will face Brazil and Uruguay in Montevideo in July. Los Cóndores are the third team for the Triangular competition which will determine who continues in the RWC 2023 qualifiers and who is eliminated. Chile won the right to face Uruguay and Brazil without winning as Colombia were forced to forfeit due to positive COVID-19 tests.

Uruguay send statement ahead of RWC 2023 Qualifiers
Uruguay are well placed to take on Brazil and Chile. Los Teros will have home advantage against their South American rivals in upcoming RWC 2023 qualifiers. Uruguay prepared for the two matches by facing the Argentina XV on Sunday. Los Teros completed an impressive 42-26 victory. The result is a massive boost to Uruguay. Los Teros know that they must perform – Chile were winners in the corresponding fixture in 2020.

Coats, González, and Dyer score in test debuts
Canadian fullback Cooper Coats, Argentine flanker Juan Martín González, and USA winger Christian Dyer were try scorers on Saturday and Sunday. The trio were all enjoying their test debuts. They were joined by other first caps – Riekert Hattingh, Luke Carty, and Mika Kruse for the USA; Siaki Vikilani, Ross Braude, Quinn Ngawati, Tyler Rowland, Don Carson, and Michael Smith for Canada; and Facundo Gigena for Los Pumas.

UNDER

Colombia eliminated for RWC 2023 qualifiers without firing a shot
History was supposed to be made on Saturday. Chile and Colombia were set to play each other in a test match for the first time. The match was instead called off after two Colombians tested positive for COVID-19. The outcome was elimination for Colombia without playing a match. With Uruguay hosting the finals over the coming weeks there was simply no time to reschedule the match. It does not come without controversy. Spain vs Russia was postponed this past weekend after Russians tested positive. That match is due to be rescheduled.

Nervous Argentina escape Bucharest embarrassment
Mario Ledesma’s men had a horrible start to 2021. Los Pumas were 24-17 winners over Romania on Saturday. It was a four tries to one victory, and yet it was a poor performance from the South Americans. Romania were up for the contest while Los Pumas were going through the motions. Few Pumas performed well with many falling well below acceptable standards.

Wales run riot against Canada
Wales scorched to a 68-12 victory over Canada at Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday afternoon. The home side outscored their hosts 10 tries to 2 and held a 40-5 lead at halftime. It was a heavy loss for the North Americans and demonstrates the enormous task ahead leading to the RWC 2023 qualifiers. Of more immediate concern is that England loom as a equally difficult opponents this coming weekend.

Pumitas learn that there is no prize for second best
Argentina were beaten by South Africa in their u20 international on Saturday. The loss was the second of the tournament for Los Pumitas against the Junior Boks. The home side were in control for the bulk of the final and came away with a 27-9 win as Argentina were unable to score a try.

Federico Wegrzyn misses out on test debut
Los Pumas called for front row reinforcements on the even of their test match against Romania. Loose head Federico Wegrzyn was injured in training. He had been inline to make his test debit for Argentina this month. Instead, he has been forced to sit out the matches. Thomas Gallo was inline for a call-up only he travelled to see his family in Tucumán. This meant that he must quarantine and thereby was overlooked for a place on the roster.

Injury at the wrong time for Emiliano Boffelli
The July Internationals are over for Emiliano Boffelli. The Rosario winger / fullback was named to start for Argentina against Romania on Saturday. Injury saw him ruled out the day before the match. Los Pumas made adjustments for the match and have now called-up Mateo Carreras to replace Boffelli. His injury came on the eve of a test match and days after he departed Racing 92.

Uruguay without star Santiago Arata for elimination matches
Santiago Arata will sit out the first stage of the RWC 2023 qualifiers for personal reasons. Uruguay’s star scrumhalf will instead rest before rejoining Castres for preseason training in mid-July. It’s a blow for Los Teros but they have to capable replacements in Agustín Ormaechea and Tomás Inciarte. Assuming Uruguay pull through as expected, Arata will be needed for the next round of the qualifiers against North American opposition in October.

Juan Manuel Alonso sees red against Georgia
Uruguay’s u20s fell to a 20-8 defeat against Georgia on Saturday. The fixture was the Bronze Final of the International Series in South Africa. Uruguay had defeated Georgia in the earlier match between the sides. The Teritos were forced to play much of the game with 14 men after Juan Manuel Alonso was sent off in the first half.

New York loss hands NOLA Gold a lifeline
Rugby United New York saw their playoff chances take a significant hit against the Free Jacks. While the home side were never expected to be pushovers, the visitors had much more at stake and simply didn’t produce the goods in the Weymouth rain. They now face the prospect of a winner-take-all match against NOLA in the final game of the regular season.