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The 2021 Americas Rugby Challenge concluded for Chile ‘A’ and the USA Selects. The contest between the two ‘next senior XVs’ was played at Montevideo’s Estadio Charrúa. Chile ‘A were 29-14 winners in what was a non-capped fixture. The test teams of Chile and the USA will square-off in July 2021 with the winner, on aggregate, qualifying for RWC 2023 as Americas 2.
Chile ‘A’ outscored the USA Selects by four tries to two. Fullback Luca Strabucchi was the first to touch down in the try zone. His 18th minute try was converted by Diego Warnken who had earlier slotted a penalty. Together the scoring gave Chile ‘A’ a 10-0 lead at the completion of the game’s opening quarter.
The teams exchanged tries in the next ten minutes of play. Hooker George Sharpe scored for the USA Selects and his opposite, Diego Escobar, did so for Chile ‘A’. Both were converted. When winger Tomás Álvarado crossed in the 34th minute it looked like Chile ‘A’ were on course for a comfortable victory.
The teams also exchanged tries in the second half. They each scored one converted try. Chile ‘A’ were the first to cross with Strabucchi scoring his second for the match. USA Selects captain Bailey Wilson responded for his side five minutes from full-time.
The tournament ended for the two sides with Chile ‘A’ winning two and losing one match. The USA Selects had their first match cancelled due to their late arrival. They went on to lost both of their games in the Americas Pacific Challenge.
SCORING
CHILE 29
Tries – L. Strabucchi 2 (18′, 43′), D. Escobar (30′), T. Álvarado (34′)
Cons – D. Warnken 3/4 (19′, 31′, 44′)
Pens – D. Warnken 1/2 (7′)
YC – E. Inostroza (27′)
USA 14
Tries – G. Sharpe (28′), B. Wilson (75′)
Cons – S. Walsh 1/1 (29′), P. Madden 1/1 (76′)
TEAMS
CHILE ‘A’
1 Salvador Lues (17 Mauricio Gómez 64′), 2 Diego Escobar, 3 Esteban Inostroza (18 Baltazar Gurruchaga 50′), 4 Agustín Fernández (20 Manuel Ripamonti 55′), 5 Santiago Pedrero, 6 Agustín Pérez, 7 Thomas Orchard (19 Jaime Paredes 64′), 8 Raimundo Martínez (21 Joaquín Milesi HT), 9 Lukas Carvallo (capt.) (22 Benjamín Videla 55′), 10 Diego Warnken, 11 Tomás Álvarado, 12 Gaspar Moltedo (9 Lukas Carvallo 78′), 13 Clemente Armstrong (23 Juan Ignacio Piña 64′), 14 Cristóbal Game, 15 Luca Strabucchi
Not used: 16 Jorge Delgado
USA SELECTS
1 Ivan Pula (17 Jared Miller 60′), 2 George Sharpe (16 Alex Lopeti 48′), 3 Brian Nault (18 Elijah Hayes 53′), 4 Mike Matarazzo (19 Charlie Hewitt 55′), 5 Ben Mitchell, 6 Justin Johnson, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Kyle Breytenbach (20 Colin Turner 51′), 9 Sean Yacoubian, 10 Sam Walsh (22 Shane Barry 48′), 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Tia’i Vavao (23 Cael Hodgson 55′), 13 Jack Wendling (21 Karl Keane 64′), 14 Patrick Madden, 15 Eric Naposki
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Matías Esteban (Uruguay)
Assistants: Tomás Bertazza (Argentina) & Frank Méndez (Chile)
TMO: Francisco González (Uruguay)
