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

The Michael Cheika Radar
The July 2022 Internationals will be a fresh page for Argentina. Los Pumas will be under the command of Michael Cheika. The Australian is proven to be an excellent coach; he took Australia to the Rugby World Cup Final in 2015 and won the URC and European Champions Cup with Leinster. The fresh page includes new opportunities for all players. With Argentine players abroad being at such high numbers the radar is covering a lot of names in a lot of leagues.

Toronto Arrows Find Target
The Toronto Arrows held on to take a 27-24 road win over the Utah Warriors in a thrilling contest at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday. A stiff breeze affected kicking for both sides, and it was the visitors who did just enough in the second half to secure a vital bonus point.

Giltinis recall Shield win with Cali Cup defense
LA retained the Cali Cup with a 26-13 win over the San Diego Legion at Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. It was a committed performance from the defending champions, who made the most of their scoring opportunities to secure a four-try bonus and inch closer to getting back into the playoff race.

New England Deliver in Texas
The New England Free Jacks came away from Texas with a 25-17 win over the Austin Gilgronis at Bold Stadium on Saturday. A strong first half was enough to secure the result, though a controversial moment late in the game left a sour taste in the mouths of AG fans.

New York Find Gold in NOLA
Rugby New York got the result they wanted in New Orleans, taking a 30-19 bonus-point win at The Gold Mine on Saturday. A dominant first half set the stage with a late NOLA surge softening the scoreline somewhat. New York enjoyed a heavy territorial advantage for the first hour of the match.

Unbeaten Jaguares XV
The Olímpia Lions pushed Los Jaguares XV hard in the second half of their contest on Saturday in Valparaíso. Ultimately, a strong start and finish proved more than sufficient for the Argentine SLAR franchise to still be unbeaten in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby.

Peñarol impress in big win over Cafeteros Pro
Peñarol are 2-0 after two rounds of the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby. The Uruguayan franchise were impressive 44-0 winners against Los Cafeteros Pro on Saturday. The outcome was five competition points for Peñarol and zero for Los Cafeteros Pro. Although it is early in the season Peñarol are undeniably well placed to compete for a second SLAR Final.

Selknam provide Chile with weaponry for RWC Qualifiers
Selknam bounced back from their opening round defeat against the Olímpia Lions to strike gold against Os Cobras. The Chilean side were 46-10 winners over the visitors from Brazil; a result that moves Selknam up to third position in SLAR 2022. The convincing performance provides Chile with more options for the upcoming RWC 2023 qualifying series against the USA in July.

Argentine Juan Ignacio Brex back with most tackles in Six Nations
Italy’s long run of losses in the Six Nations concluded on Saturday with a bang. The Italian scored a final minute try to defeat Wales 22-21 in Cardiff. The occasion marked Italy’s first ever away win over Wales since joining the Six Nations in 2000. Involved in every 2022 match for Italy was Juan Ignacio Brex. The Argentine center finished the tournament with 57 completed tackles, the most by any back in the Six Nations.

The flair and finishing of Juan Cruz Mallía
Toulouse were 35-10 winners over Top 14 leaders Montpellier on Sunday. The clash saw Pumas Juan Cruz Mallía playing on the right wing and Santiago Chocobares in the centers. The former scored a very impressive try. He ran 40 meters and defeated two defenders in the process. With the win Toulouse move up to 5th position. Lucio Cinti also scored over the weekend for London Irish vs the Harlequins.

Taylor Paris Double in Defeat
Canadian speedster Taylor Paris ran in two tries for Oyonnax against Bayonne. His strong showing was not enough for victory, however, as Bayonne completed the win to move into 2nd position in the Pro D2. Oyonnax are third while Mont de Marsan top the table. Players from Argentina, Canada and Uruguay play for these teams.

 

UNDER

Puma de Bronze Aramburu Murdered in Paris
The early hours of Saturday in Paris ended the life of Federico Martín Aramburu. The 42-year-old was shot dead in Paris in a drive-by-shooting. The Argentine was in Paris to attend France vs England in the Six Nations. Aramburu had a lengthily career as a professional rugby player. He played in France for Biarritz, Perpignan and Dax. He also played in Scotland for the Glasgow Warriors. He is Puma 623. He earned 22 caps for Argentina and scored tries against France at Georgia at RWC 2007.

Canada’s Eye to the 2022 Women’s World Cup
Rugby Canada has cut Sandro Fiorino as Head Coach of Canada’s National Women’s XV’s team. The organization has offered little explanation, though the decision comes in the midst of a High Performance review. The change comes just seven months out from the Rugby World Cup, which will take place in New Zealand starting in October.

Second Slip for Austin Gilgronis
The AG’s were beaten 25-17 at home by the New England Free Jacks on Saturday. The loss means the team that started so well its now 5-2. Teams are now not only in touch with the Austin Gilgronis Rugby ATL and Rugby New York have overtaken Austin in the overall standings. The AG’s have a week off to discuss their frustrations before returning to action against the SaberCats on April 3.

Dallas Jackals Genuinely Conquered by Seattle Seawolves
The Seattle Seawolves came, saw, and conquered Dallas at Choctaw Stadium on Saturday. Seattle were 34-12 winners over the Jackals. Dallas were outscored, out thought and out numbered on the field. Meanwhile, the convincing performance places the Seattle Seawolves well for upcoming MLR matches.

Old Glory DC Yet to register a league point in MLR 2022
Rugby ATL cruised to a 27-13 win over Old Glory DC at Segra Field on Sunday. A late score made the margin of defeat slightly more palatable for the home side, but the visitors were never truly under pressure and needed little urgency to retain their spot at the top of the Eastern Conference table. Old Glory DC remain on zero points after six matches of MLR 2022.

Dire Discipline Harmed Cobras
Os Cobras were no match for Selknam on Saturday. The Brazilian SLAR side was soundly beaten by their Chilean opposition. Losing by six tries to one is not good enough but this does not excuse what was poor discipline. Os Cobras conceded a staggering 24 penalties against Selknam.

Cafeteros Pro lose focus
Los Cafeteros Pro had a competitive opening quarter against Peñarol on Saturday. The Uruguayan side was made to work hard for their points in the first half. It changed with time as two Cafeteros Pro players were yellow carded and Peñarol ran in late tries to Felipe Arcos Pérez, Emiliano Faccennini, and Nicolás Roger.