Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Americas region will award its first undecided qualification spot for Rugby World Cup 2023 at the conclusion of Saturday’s match in Montevideo. Both Uruguay and the USA were part of the tournament in 2019 and the loser will remain firm favorites to advance in the next stage, but the prestige of victory and a favorable position alongside the All Blacks in Pool A are significant carrots on offer.
For the first hour in Glendale, the Eagles looked to be complete control of their destiny. Los Teros showed their resilience, however, and after two penalty goals from Felipe Berchesi managed to drive over a late try scored by Guillermo Pujadas from a lineout drive to close the deficit to a very manageable three points heading into the second leg.
A late blow has been struck to the Uruguayans, however. Berchesi has been ruled out of Saturday’s match with injury, replaced by Felipe Etcheverry who moves up from fullback. Rodrigo Silva wears the familiar No15 shirt as a result with Federico Favaro starting on the wing and the most likely candidate to take over Berchesi’s role as goal kicker.
The change is not a disaster for Uruguay. Favaro has 35 caps and Etcheverry is a slippery attacker who poses different threats to the line than Berchesi. It does sting to lose a player of Berchesi’s proven ability with first choice hooker Germán Kessler also unable to return to the lineup as hoped this week.
Better news comes on the bench with Italy-based Franco Lamanna passed fit to play. A veteran of both the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, he joins Diego Magno and Eric Dosantos as three players who have played both second or back row with six forwards preferred this week. Tomás Inciarte’s ability to play both scrumhalf and center allows for the extra body up front.
There are two changes to the USA’s match day 23 with just one in the starting lineup, though it is also significant. Hanco Germishuys is unavailable due to family commitments so there is a return for Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz. He is listed at No7 but should pack down on the blindside flank.
On the bench there is a change in back row cover. Former Argentina age-grade international Benjamín Bonasso could make his test debut. The Connecticut-born Rugby United New York player takes the roster spot of Moni Tonga’uiha, who won his first cap as a replacement in Colorado.
The air will be cooler at Estadio Charrúa though more humid than that of Infinity Park. Sunshine and light wind are on the forecast which should make for another compelling contest. Adding to the occasion is the chance for an historic achievement as Uruguay have never before qualified as Americas 1.
In order to achieve their goals, Los Teros simply must start the game on stronger terms than that of the first test. The USA has an advantage in size and power, but the South Americans should have the edge in tactical kicking particularly in the outside backs. Discipline and set piece accuracy loom as the decisive factors, with Cam Dolan’s presence a distinct advantage for the Eagles.
When the two sides last met in Montevideo the Eagles won handily. Three years later they are too closely matched to predict anything resembling that outcome. Give the USA the favorites tag but this one should go right down to the wire.
Kickoff has been updated to 4:30pm local time, 3:30pm Eastern, 12:30pm Pacific. Live broadcasts are available on FloRugby in the USA and Star+ in Uruguay. Those located outside the Americas can watch a live stream provided by World Rugby.
URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Facundo Gattas, 3 Diego Arbelo, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Manuel Leindekar, 6 Manuel Ardao, 7 Santiago Civetta, 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Santiago Arata, 10 Felipe Etcheverry, 11 Gastón Mieres, 12 Andrés Vilaseca (capt.), 13 Nicolás Freitas, 14 Federico Favaro, 15 Rodrigo Silva
Replacements: 16 Guillermo Pujadas, 17 Juan Echeverría, 18 Matías Benítez, 19 Diego Magno, 20 Franco Lamanna, 21 Eric Dosantos, 22 Tomás Inciarte, 23 Felipe Arcos Pérez
USA
1 David Ainu’u, 2 Kapeli Pifeleti, 3 Joe Taufete’e, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Andrew Guerra, 7 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 8 Cam Dolan, 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 Will Magie, 11 Mika Kruse, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Marcel Brache
Replacements: 16 Dylan Fawsitt, 17 Matt Harmon, 18 Paul Mullen, 19 Greg Peterson, 20 Benjamín Bonasso, 21 Nate Augspurger, 22 Luke Carty, 23 Will Hooley
Date: Saturday, October 9
Venue: Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
Kickoff: 16:30 local (12:30 Pacific, 15:30 Eastern)
Referee: Damián Schneider (Argentina)
Assistants: Tomás Bertazza (Argentina) & Cauã Ricardo (Brazil)
TMO: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
Broadcasts: FloRugby (USA), Star+ (Uruguay), World Rugby (outside Americas)
RECENT RESULTS
2021-10-02 – USA 19, Uruguay 16 (Infinity Park, Glendale)
2019-03-02 – USA 25, Uruguay 32 (Starfire Stadium, Tukwila)
2018-03-03 – Uruguay 19, USA 61 (Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo)
2017-02-04 – USA 29, Uruguay 23 (Toyota Field, San Antonio)
2016-03-05 – Uruguay 29, USA 25 (Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo)
