Selknam power towards Play-Offs with strong showing against Cobras

Selknam enjoyed a strong performance on Friday afternoon, downing Os Cobras 37-8 at the Estadio Charrúa. The result gives the Chilean franchise five competition points and helps power the team towards the play-offs. Os Cobras remain bottom of the table and winless in SLAR 2022.

Selknam were never behind during the 80 minutes. Selknam fly half Francisco Urroz landed a 5th minute penalty to give the Chileans the lead. It was the only score of the opening quarter.

Os Cobras were unable to go toe-to-toe with Selknam for the duration. Instead, Selknam were on top in the second quarter. Captain Ignacio Silva burst over for a 21st minute try and Uruguayan utility back Juan Zuccarino scored eight minutes later.

Selknam were in a comfortable position. Their 15-0 lead was decreased as Os Cobras fought back through Robert Tenório. Playing this match at outside center, Tenório made it a 10 point contest with 8 minutes left to play in the first half.

The second-half saw Selknam scoring three tries without conceeding any. The first was by Franco Molina. In what was a man-of-the-match performance, the Argentine second-rower put Selknam back in to a good position. Urroz converted to add two points to three from several minutes earlier.

Lucas Spago managed Os Cobras‘ only second half points. His 58th minute penalty goal was a good use of the clock as the Brazilian SLAR side was a man down with flanker Matheus Cláudio having been yellow carded for punching. His absense did not harm his team’s cause.

The final ten minutes saw Selknam replacements Clemente Armstrong and Jorge Delgado both touching down in the try zone for tries. It meant a notable point differential and confirmed a bonus point victory.

Selknam now turn their attention to Los Jaguares XV. The teams will meet on Wednedsday. The same day will see Os Cobras up against Los Cafeteros Pro. The latter contest may well be Os Cobras last shot at a victory this season.

SCORING

COBRAS 8
Try – R Tenório (32′)
Con – L Spago 0/1
Pen – L Spago (58′)
YC – M Cláudio (53′)

SELKNAM 37
Try – I Silva (21′), J Zuccarino (29′), F Molina (46′), C Armstrong (72′), J Delgado (80′)
Con – F Urroz 2/4 (22′, 47′)
Pen – F Urroz 2/2 (5′, 42′)

TEAMS

COBRAS
1 Alexandre Alves, 2 Leonardo Souza, 3 Henrique Ribeiro, 4  Gabriel Paganini, 5 Kauã de Oliveira, 6 Devon Muller, 7 Matheus Cláudio, 8 André Arruda, 9 Douglas Rauth, 10 Lucas Spago, 11 Gabriel Zurka, 12 Joel dos Santos, 13 Robert Tenório, 14 Robson Morais, 15 Daniel Sancery (capt.)

Replacements: 16 David Muller, 17 Brendon Alves, 18 Emanuel Molina, 19 Gabriel Oliveira, 20 Adrio Luiz, 21 Rafael Spago, 22 Bautista Santamarina, 23 Pedro Goulart

SELKNAM
1 Salvador Lues, 2 Diego Escobar, 3 Vittorio Lastra, 4 Franco Molina, 5 Augusto Sarmiento, 6 Santiago Edwards, 7 Ignacio Silva (capt.), 8 Alfonso Escobar, 9 Marcelo Torrealba, 10 Francisco Urroz, 11 Clemente Armstrong, 12 José Larenas, 13 Luca Strabucchi, 14 Nicolás Garafulic, 15 Juan Zuccarino

Replacements: 16 Jorge Delgado, 17 Sebastián Otero, 18 Esteban Inostroza, 19 Santiago Pedrero, 20 Ernesto Tchimino, 21 Benjamín Videla, 22 Lukas Carvallo, 23 Joaquín Milesi

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Juan Manuel León (Colombia)
Assistant Referees: Nehuen Jauri Rivero (Argentina); Simón Larrubia (Argentina)
TMO: Alejandro Longres (Uruguay)