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

Restructuring approvals put Brazil in good light
Brazil Rugby, the Confederação Brasileira de Rugby (CBRu) approved a new model for domestic competitions. The restructuring will see a new system of national competitions starting in 2023. The changes are to apply across the board; Men’s, Women’s, and u20’s. In all cases they will be for XV and Rugby Sevens. Gains are to be made both on the field and of it in all areas of the game.

Professionalism underway in Paraguay 
Paraguay Rugby has begin the transition to professional rugby. For the first time in history there are now players contracted as profession rugby players on full-time deals. The Unión de Rugby del Paraguay (URP) has contracted nine players who will train six hours a day from Monday to Friday year-round. The nine players have begun their routines as professionals. It follows the competition of the second season of the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). Paraguay’s team, the Olímpia Lions, were semi finalists in what was a competitive season.

Peru have a pathway to SLAR
There is a pathway for Peru to have players involved in the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). South America’s regional high performance manager, and former head coach of Los Pumas Daniel Hourcade notes that efforts are underway to exposure Peruvians to SLAR. Sudamérica Rugby and Peru Rugby are to work together to identify players capable of playing in SLAR 2022. Those players will take to the field in the colors of SLAR teams from existing entrants. Overtime there is a further pathway for Peru to have a team in the league.

Nicaragua gearing up to compete in 2021
Nicaragua are ready for upcoming international competition. Both the Men’s and Women’s teams will be involved in tournaments in foreign lands. Both tournaments are to be 7’s. They will bring together competing teams from Central America. The tournaments will resume international competition. There was no possibility of matches in Sevens, Seniors, Juniors, or otherwise in 2020.

JM Alonso joins the big leagues
Brive have added the young Juan Manuel Alonso from Peñarol. The 19-year-old makes the move to France from Uruguay to join the Espoirs on a one-year-deal. His move comes following an impressive season in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) for the Uruguayan franchise and for Uruguay u20s’s in South Africa. Alonso was a regular starter on the wing for Peñarol. His natural position, however, is in the mid-field. Indeed, he played in the centers for Los Teritos in the u20 tournament.  Standing at 1,85m tall and weighing 102kg he has the frame for the centers.

Pumas Colombian connection of García and Simes
Mario Ledesma’s roster for the Rugby Championship has grown. The Argentine head coach added two players this past week. They are scrum-half Gonzalo García and second-rower Lautaro Simes. Both players are uncapped and both earn their opportunities following their involvement in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). They played not for Los Jaguares XV but for Los Cafeteros Pro, the Colombian entrant in the South American league.

 

UNDER

Argentina waiting on late arrivals for Rugby Championship
Argentina face South Africa in Port Elizabeth this weekend weekend. Mario Ledesma’s enforcers will be well prepared for the fixture, though the head coach will be without some players. Fullback Emiliano Boffelli, loose head Facundo Gigena, and tight head Joel Sclavi will arrive a week later than intended. Their late arrivals mean the trio will not be considered for Argentina’s opening game of what is a six game series.

USA lose seasoned Sevens staff
Following the conclusion of rugby competition at the Tokyo Olympics, Chris Brown has decided to leave his position as Head Coach of the USA Women’s 7s National Team to pursue new professional opportunities. Along with Brown, USA Women’s Head of Physical Performance and Assistant Coach Matt Long has also decided to move on so he can be closer to his family in New Zealand.

Two Years of no Hong Kong Sevens
Frustrations continue for players, staff and fans. For a second straight year there will be no Hong Kong Sevens. The plug has been pulled on the tournament that was due to run from November 5 to 7, with the global pandemic once again the culprit. A media release indicates the 2022 edition is currently scheduled for April 1 to 3.

Lucas Paulos misses out
Ledesma’s roster for the Rugby Championship is large; yet, there are absentees. The addition of Lautaro Simes this past week showcases the missing name of Lucas Paulos. The 23-year-old native of Buenos Aires had an excellent 2020-2021 season for Brive in France. He did so following his test debut for Argentina in the 2020 Rugby Championship. For the 2021 tournament, however, he will not feature. Paulos was a surprise omission from the initial player roster. The addition of Simes underlines the fact that Ledesma’s plans do not include Paulos.

Los Tilos hammered in URBA Top 12
Los Tilos fell to a 78-6 loss on Saturday. The team were hammered by SIC in the third round of the Buenos Aires championship. Despite being early goings in the season, Los Tilos can be said to be not in good shape while Hindú are well placed. Hindú is the only undefeated team in the 2021 season. The next best are SIC and Newman. The URBA Top 12 carries astronomical importance for Argentine rugby. It produces the lions share of Pumas.