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

Chile make history in Russia
A sensational come-from-behind performance saw Chile downing Russia 30-29 on Sunday morning, Americas time. Chile’s win over the Bears gives Los Cóndores back-to-back wins over RWC teams. Chile’s previous test match saw Canada eliminated from the RWC 2023 qualifiers. Uruguay overcame Russia to qualify for RWC 2015. That two match series saw Russia winning their home game. In other words, Chile achieved something of extreme note this past weekend. With more solid, hard work a debut appearance in a Rugby World Cup is well within Chile’s reach.

Red Card no obstacle for Canada against Wales
Canada overcame a first half red card to captain Olivia DeMerchant to earn a 24-7 win over Wales in Cardiff on Sunday. Superior fitness and relentless pressure resulted in four tries and 24 unanswered points in the second half to end the year on a high note. Canada can now look towards building on their efforts as next year’s World Cup in New Zealand approaches.

Sabrina Poulin
Pamphinette Buisa’s second half cameo earned her Player of the Match honors against Wales but if there is a find of the tour for Canada it is flying winger Sabrina Poulin. The Saint-Georges, Québec, native threatened with every touch of the ball and scored scintillating solo tries against England and Wales. There is competition for spots at virtually every position for Canada heading towards next year’s World Cup, but Poulin has put down a formidable claim on the No14 shirt.

Chile fly the flag for the south
Chile was the one and only winner from the Southern Hemisphere against a test side from the Northern Hemisphere this past weekend. All four Rugby Championship teams were beaten for the first time since the competition began in 2012. The weekend was the first time that the All Blacks, Springboks, and Wallabies had lost on the same day since 2002 and just the second time ever. There is more; the weekend saw all six test teams from the Six Nations winning on the same weekend for the first time in history.

Uruguay earn respect in loss against Italy
Uruguay earned respect in Saturday’s loss against Italy. The South Americans pushed the Europeans in an away match played in Parma. Importantly, the fixture was a preview of the RWC 2023 pool match. The RWC 2023 fixture is scheduled to be the fifth test match between Italy and Uruguay. The Italians’ win today retains the European’s unbeaten record. However, today’s game was the closest of the four matches thus far. Italy won 49-17 in L’Aquila in 1999, 14-3 in Montevideo in 2001 and 29-5 in Montevideo in 2007.

UNDER

Catastrophe for USA women against England
The USA were given a harsh lesson at Sixways on Sunday as they suffered a record 89-0 defeat at the hands of England. There were five tries conceded by halftime but it was a 60-point second half by the rampant Red Roses that will have been most frustrating for the Women’s Eagles. England head into a World Cup year as clear favorites after recording their 18th consecutive test victory. For the USA it’s four defeats from four to end the year and much work to be done before their tournament opener in New Zealand next October.

Brazil depart Africa winless
Kenya overcame Brazil 36-30 on Saturday morning in South Africa. The thrilling contest was the Bronze Final of the Stellenbosch Challenge. Sleek back movements and flair saw the Africans overcoming the South Americans to claim a well-deserved victory. Brazil’s team underperformed and missed some players. These are unfounded excuses, however, as Brazil has a professional team in Os Cobras and really ought to have defeated both Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Argentina humbled, humiliated, and hammered by Ireland
Argentina crashed to their worst ever defeat against Ireland on Sunday with the final score reading 53-7 to their hosts at Aviva Stadium. Los Pumas got off to a quick start but then failed to score a single point in an abysmal outing that will once again put the position of Mario Ledesma as Head Coach under question. It brought about an end to a frustrating year for everybody – Pumas players, staff, and supporters had many lows and few highs in 2021.

World Rugby Snubs South America
South American rugby coaches made history in 2021. First, Esteban Meneses coached Uruguay to Americas 1. The Argentine made history as a North American country was unable to qualify for a Rugby World Cup as Americas 1 for the first time. Second, Chile are closer than ever to participating in a Rugby World Cup. Pablo Lemoine guided the South Americans to a historic win over Canada; an outcome that means RWC 2023 will be the first Men’s tournament without Canada. Neither Meneses nor Lemoine were nominated by World Rugby for the World Rugby coach of the year award.

Forget about the 2022 Italian Job
There will be no test matches between Italy and Americas test teams in 2022. The Azzurri will play ten test matches next year, the first five will be in the Six Nations Championship. Italy’s five remaining matches will be divided into July and November. None of the matches will be in the Americas nor will they be against a competitor from the Americas.

Canada’s and Uruguay’s July 2022 Internationals
Argentina will host Scotland for three test matches next July. The USA and Chile will battle-it-out in a two match series with the winner, on aggregate, qualifying for RWC 2023. The USA is to warm-up for the series against the French Barbarians. What about Canada? What about Uruguay? Who are they going to play host to? At present there is no answer. Neither team presently has a home, or away, opponent for the next international window.

New Low for Tomás Lavanini
When referee Matthew Carley red carded Tomás Lavanini on Sunday it was historic. Lavanini received his third test match red card. This is the most by all Pumas. It is certain to see questions asked over his place in the team and on the roster. Is he a risk selection? How important is he to Los Pumas? Are there other players to take his place in the match-day 23? Lucas Paulos was unable to start a test match in 2021 and Matías Alemanno missed the November Internationals. In addition, Marcos Kremer started in the second-row at different times of the year.

Michael Smith suspended for foul play
Canadian flanker Michael Smith was suspended for two games this past week. His suspension followed his receiving of a red card in the first half of the test against Belgium earlier this month. Smith was sent off by referee Andrea Piardi after TMO Stefano Penne spotted what was deemed a dangerous clearout at a ruck by the No7 on Belgian lock Guillaume Mortier.

Rugby loses to retirement
One of Canada’s greatest sevens players announced her retirement from the sport this past week. Ghislaine Landry hung up the boots at the age of 33 after an illustrious international career that spanned a decade. The announcement follows that of her men’s team counterpart Nathan Hirayama following the Olympic Games played earlier this year in Tokyo.