Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
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
Atlanta stand tall in crushing Old Glory DC
Rugby ATL had a dream start to MLR 2022. The 2021 Eastern Conference Champions were 55-22 winners over Old Glory DC in the opening match of the season. The win was the biggest in MLR history by the club. Rugby ATL’s previous top scores were by 41 points.
Houston send shockwaves by opening 2022 win win over 2021 champions
The Houston SaberCats started MLR 2022 with an upset win over the 2021 champions the LA Giltinis on Saturday. The 21-11 win saw the Texan side in control of possession throughout but not the scoreboard until late in the contest. The win came with two second half tries and an overall differential of three tries to one.
Celebrating with Gilgonis as Austin hammer Jackals
The Austin Gilgronis were easily the better of the two teams in Saturday’s all-Texas MLR match. The 43-7 win included far more than a superior try record; Austin Gilgronis were dominant in the scrum and able to gain territory with ease during the contest. Early signs are very good for the Austin Gilgronis in MLR 2022.
New England start with good win on the road
The New England Free Jacks got their 2022 campaign off to a flying start with a 24-13 victory over NOLA at The Gold Mine on Saturday evening. Beaudein Waaka led the way with 14 points including a try and a 4-from-4 effort off the kicking tee.
Formidable Jaguares XV
A formidable player roster has been named by Los Jaguares XV for the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). Ignacio Fernández Lobbe will have Pumas loose head Mayco Vivas and outside back Ignacio Mendy on his roster. Former Super Rugby N8 Bautista Pedemonte is also included.
Argentines shine over the weekend
There were plenty of performances meeting highlights by Argentines this weekend. Standout performances came from both established test players and uncapped players. In addition, there were reputable matches from players currently in the test team and players who missed out on caps in 2021. Juan Imhoff, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Julián Domínguez and Joaquín de la Vega Mendía were all try scorers.
Selknam land an Uruguayan
Uruguay will have a player involved for Selknam in the upcoming Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) season. Uruguay ‘A’ fly half Juan Zuccarino is to play for the Chilean franchise in the 2022 competition. The move will add extra spice to the 2022 SLAR season.
UNDER
Free Jacks raid the Gold Mine
The New England Free Jacks did well to defeat NOLA Gold on Saturday evening. 14 points to Beaudein Waaka were a factor in the result as were the try tally of three tries to the Free Jacks compared to two to the Gold. Discipline was another factor in the outcome; NOLA Gold have a number of issues to address against Rugby ATL this coming weekend.
Lesson for Dallas Jackals
The Dallas Jackals were issued a harsh lesson in their Major League Rugby debut on Saturday evening as the Gilgronis secured a 43-7 result at Bold Stadium. Austin’s pack dominated the scrum and set the platform for the one-sided victory. The Jackals conceded six unanswered tries, a number far to large to be completive in MLR.
No Glory for DC in Atlanta
Old Glory DC fell to a 55-22 loss against Rugby ATL in Atlanta on Saturday. The visitors were outmatched for close to the entirely of the match. When Old Glory DC did score some points, Rugby ATL continuously answered back. The result was the biggest score by Rugby ATL in the MLR. Fortunately for Old Glory DC, the underwhelming performance came now at the start of the season.
Pumas a prop down for July
The English Premiership season is over for Rodrigo Martínez. He was injured during the warm-up ahead of the Wasps match against Saracens. He now faces six months out which means he will not be fit in time for Argentina’s home matches against Scotland in July.
From Africa to France
Uruguay’s Africa 1 opposition at RWC 2023 will be confirmed in July. Eight countries will compete in the French cities of Aix-en-Province and Marseilles. Uruguay will face one of Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The qualifying matches will not compete in Africa but in France.
Foreign born / produced players in Six Nations
There are more foreign-born players in the 2022 Six Nations than was the case in the 2021 Six Nations. This means that the number of players from outside of six of rugby’s very best test teams playing test rugby has increased. Analysis of who they are, where they are from and how they qualify confirms that there is a heavy contingent of players who moved as adults and players who were not produced at all for the union they play for. Uruguay and Georgia are entirely homegrown; who then do the eligibility laws advantage?
Dated RWC Qualifier structure
Portugal completed an away draw against Georgia on Sunday. This meant a team that played in RWC 2007 but not before or since matched a team that has played at all RWCs from 2003-2019. Georgia do not have the opportunity of competing against Italy in RWC qualifiers nor do they against Wales but they play against Wales at RWCs. Similarly, Australia face Fiji at RWCs but not in qualifiers. 60% of spots are determined at the prior RWC. When will rugby get its act together to have genuine World Cup Qualifiers?
