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

Argentina victorious in Vancouver
Los Pumas weren’t just the best Americas team at the World Sevens Series event in Vancouver this past weekend – they were the best period. Argentina claimed the title with a stunning 29-10 win over Fiji in the Cup Final, with Marcos Moneta scoring twice in a fantastic event for the speedster from Buenos Aires. Canada finished in 10th spot, while the USA struggled after losing Perry Baker to concussion and would slump to 13th place.

DC finally finds glory against Utah
Old Glory’s nine-game losing streak came to an end as they defeated the Warriors 22-21 at Segra Field on Friday night. The match ended in dramatic fashion, as the home side came back from a 21-10 second half deficit with Calvin Whiting’s penalty kick on full time pushing wide of the uprights. It wasn’t the greatest performance from DC whose defense continues to falter at times, but the result is a major weight off the backs of captain Danny Tusitala and new coach Nate Osborne.

LA winning streak hits five with tough win over Houston
The Giltinis defeated the SaberCats 17-12 in a bruising encounter at Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. It stretches LA’s winning streak to five games as they continue to push towards Austin and the top spot in the Western Conference. Houston’s attritional style of play frustrated the Giltinis at times and might have paid off but inaccurate at key moments ultimately cost the visitors what would have been a second upset of the defending champions.

Toronto back in the thick of things after high-scoring win over NOLA
The Arrows scored eight tries en route to a 53-36 win over NOLA Gold at York Lions Stadium on Saturday. A dominant performance from the pack was the difference, with the bonus point victory pushing them even on points with New York for the third playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Of concern was another disappointing final quarter that allowed the Gold back in the game. The contribution of the bench has been below par in recent weeks.

Seawolves stay alive in the West with narrow win over the Legion
Seattle claimed a vital bonus-point win over San Diego on Saturday to keep within striking distance of a playoff position. It was the visitors who outscored their hosts five tries to four, but the unerring boot of AJ Alatimu proved the difference in a nail-biting contest. The Legion took two bonus points in defeat to hold their place and it looks as through their race for the third playoff spot will come down to the wire.

Austin beat Dallas by record margin
Despite resting several players the AG’s set a new Major League Rugby record for margin of victory as they crushed Dallas by 57-3. Payton Telea-Ilalio had a dream debut with two tries for the visitors. The beleaguered Jackals lost two more players to injury in the first half, with flyhalf Alejandro Torres dropping two just minutes in and flanker Asa Carter bowing out before halftime.

Argentine exports shine in Europe
Argentines played key roles in the Challenge Cup this past weekend. Emiliano Boffelli scored 21 points including two tries as Edinburgh beat Bath. Agustín Creevy also grabbed a double and Juan Martín González a single for London Irish in their blowout win over Castres. Uruguay’s Santiago Arata had one try on the losing side. It was Matías Alemanno and Santiago Socino who each crossed the line for Gloucester as they saw off Northampton. All three winners are headed to the Quarter Finals.

Baska making his mark for Rouen
Michael Baska is growing in confidence in France. The Eagles scrumhalf started his third straight match for Rouen Normandie and scored his first European club rugby try in the win over Provence on Friday. It was a vital result as the club now looks certain to avoid relegation from the Pro D2. Psalm Wooching continues to work his way back from a knee injury. Both players could feature for the Eagles against Chile in July.

Vannes lock in two Argentine back rows
Two players of interest to Pumas selectors have put pen to paper with Pro D2 side Vannes. Flanker Francisco Gorrissen has signed a full-time contract for next season after arriving as a medical joker in the fall. Uncapped No8 Bautista Pedemonte meanwhile has signed his first European deal, a three-year commitment that assures his place at the Stade de la Rabine until at least 2025.

 

UNDER

Magali Harvey World Cup hopes over
Dreams of another World Cup appearance for Magali Harvey appear to be over, at least for now. The former World Rugby Player of the Year was left out of Canada’s Top 40 training camp that wrapped up over the weekend and now looks to be fully focused on her graduate degree. Other notable omissions include Saracens hooker Mackenzie Carson and versatile forward Ngalula Fuamba. Stade Bordelais loose forward Fabiola Forteza and Westshore flyhalf Emily Belchos were unavailable for the camp.

Dittus heading to France with Périgueux
It might sound like good news that Chilean tighthead prop Matías Dittus has signed a two-year deal with Perigueux. By our estimation, however, the 28-year-old is capable of playing at a higher level. Périgueux are currently at the top of the Fédérale 1, the French 4th division, though they are likely to be promoted. With any luck a Pro D2 side will come calling after getting a closer look at the Cóndores standout.

Warriors out of playoff contention with 4th straight loss
The season of frustration continued for Utah as they suffered their fourth straight defeat on Friday. Had Calvin Whiting’s last-gasp penalty attempt been successful it might have been different, but Old Glory deserved the win with four tries scored against two. At 2-7 the Warriors are realistically out of the playoff race after very nearly making the Championship Final a year ago. Don’t be surprised to see some younger players get a run in the coming weeks as the team casts their eye on the future.

Season over for Dabulas and Gattas
Confirmation came this week of season-ending injuries to three Old Glory players, including two internationals. In-form Eagles contender Mike Dabulas damaged knee ligaments while playing against the Arrows and Uruguayan hooker Facundo Gattas has broken his foot. Winger Jack Russell is also gone for the rest of 2022.

Major League Rugby TMO’s need guidance
During Old Glory’s game Utah flanker Thomas Tu’avao was first given a very harsh sin-binning for what should have been a penalty, but then let off the hook for a dangerous tackle that was at minimum yellow. Dallas hooker Augusto Böhme was ruled to have knocked-on what looked to be a legitimate try against Austin. NOLA’s Devereaux Ferris had a try wiped off for a very marginal forward pass. Officials are human but it’s clear the decision-making process needs improvement.