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

Selknam knock-over the undefeated Jaguares XV
Some thought it would not happen. They were proven wrong this evening in Santiago del Chile. Selknam produced the biggest upset in the three years of the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby. The Chilean SLAR franchise overcame the undefeated Los Jaguares XV 20-10.

Cafeteros Pro down Cobras for historic SLAR victory
History was made in Asunción on Saturday evening. Colombia’s Súper Liga Americana de Rugby team, Los Cafeteros Pro downed Os Cobras to claim their first professional victory. The 23-17 result gives the Colombians four competition points and the Brazilians a losing bonus point.

Arrows Dig Deep in win over New York
A superb defensive performance from the Toronto Arrows led them to a 14-10 win over Rugby New York at JFK Stadium on Sunday. Despite conceding the bulk of possession and territory in the final hour to their hosts, the Arrows hung on with Andrew Quattrin’s 78th minute try clinching a famous victory.

Free Jacks pour it on for road victory in Atlanta
The New England Free Jacks made it four wins in a row as they defeated Rugby ATL 41-27 at Silverbacks Park on Saturday. It was the home side who looked in control early in the second half, but the visitors poured on the pressure to score 20 unanswered points in the final half-hour of the match.

Houston Humble Utah Warriors at Zions Bank Stadium
An impressive defensive performance saw the Houston SaberCats taking a 28-12 bonus point win over the Utah Warriors on Saturday. It was a bright, sunny day at a packed Zions Bank Stadium but the home side were second-best at the breakdown and left frustrated by the resilient visitors.

Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups highly likely to be staged in USA
USA Rugby has is officially in the race to host not one, but two Rugby World Cups. Having already been confirmed as an exclusive dialogue partner with World Rugby for the men’s event in 2031, the USA RWC Bid Committee is now in discussion to host the women’s event in 2033.

Rob Cain looks at potential World Cup Eagles
The USA Falcons were 44-5 winners over the Women’s Premier League Selects at the Colorado School of Mines on Saturday. It featured the best of the USA’s domestic talent vying for potential spots on this year’s Rugby World Cup roster. Kayla Lawson caught the eye with a first half hat-trick for the Falcons, supported by a brace from captain Kathryn Johnson. Eagles coach Rob Cain has concluded his spring assemblies and will now turn his focus to the Pacific Four series to be played this summer prior to October’s World Cup.

Emiliano Boffelli and Edinburgh make URC history in South Africa
Argentine Emiliano Boffelli continued his excellent season for Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship (URC). The Scottish side were 21-5 winners over the Sharks in Durban, South Africa over the weekend. The result was Edinburgh’s first win and any European team’s first URC win in South Africa.

 

UNDER

Cobras outmatched by previously winless SLAR competitor
Despite the final scoreline indicating a close contest, it was Los Cafeteros Pro who controlled the match. The Colombian side gained a strong lead which was eroded with a late interception and followed up by a consolation try. The better team on the day won and Os Cobras did very well to snatch a bonus point when they had looked set to lose by 20 points.

Jaguares XV beaten by well-prepared opposition
Argentina’s professional team suffered their first loss in SLAR. Los Jaguares XV were beaten by Selknam 20-10 on Friday. It was no fluke; Selknam were well-prepared and simply outperformed Los Jaguares XV. The result adds spice to SLAR 2022 and it also furthers how well Chile have come since embracing professionalism.

Old Glory DC remain winless
Old Glory’s search for a first win continues as the NOLA Gold took a 31-22 win at Segra Field on Saturday. DC salvaged a four-try bonus, their first competition point of the season, but it was little consolation as the visitors scored five tries in windy conditions to pick up the bonus-point victory.

Seattle beaten at home by LA
The LA Giltinis took another step towards playoff contention with a dominant 31-12 win over the Seattle Seawolves on Saturday. It was a strong turnout at Starfire Stadium but they couldn’t inspire a victory from their team, the visitors overpowering their hosts by five tries to two.

Ratlers lose focus against Free Jacks
ATL got off to a great start against New England and for 50 minutes look well on their way to a dominant win. It wasn’t to be, however, as they fell off the pace in the last half-hour and instead it was the Free Jacks who ran away with the win. The Ratlers will need to refocus for an Eastern Conference playoff run that is certain to come down to the wire.

Independent review slams Rugby Canada
An independent review of Rugby Canada’s High Performance program has been completed and released publicly. Initiated in November of 2020 following disappointing showings at the Olympics and the failure of the Senior Men’s team to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023, the review is highly critical and blunt in its assessment of the organization’s structure, strategy, and culture.