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

New York up to second in Eastern Conference
Rugby New York took a significant step towards clinching a playoff spot with a decisive 41-17 victory over the Toronto Arrows on Sunday. A flurry of tries in the first half proved too much for the visitors to overcome, leaving the postseason hopes for the Canadian side in tatters. New York have now jumped ahead of Rugby ATL into second place in the Eastern Conference behind overall leaders New England.

New England Free Jacks go further ahead
The Free Jacks extended their record-setting winning streak to nine games, defeating Old Glory DC 26-20 at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday evening. It was no picnic for the Eastern Conference leaders, with the visitors twice taking the lead and pushing their hosts to the final whistle. The win, combined with other results sees the Free Jacks clinching their spot in the postseason and taking a commanding lead at the top of the Eastern Conference.

It’s officially Houston’s best season ever
The SaberCats could not have asked for a better result in San Diego on Sunday. Not only did they set a new franchise record with their 7th win of the season, the 34-24 score secured the maximum points while preventing the Legion from getting any bonus points in defeat. Though tied with Seattle on points, Houston have a game at hand and are now odds on to reach the postseason for the first time.

Seattle the latest to set records against Dallas
For a third time this year MLR single game scoring records have been set against the Jackals. This time the Seawolves claimed three of them all at once – most points, most tries, and highest points differential. It was a comprehensive performance from Seattle and keeps them in the playoff hunt – but with only three games left in the regular season they now have to follow it up with another big effort against Rugby New York this weekend.

Danny Cipriani set for Major League Rugby move
The former England flyhalf and Premiership star is leaving Bath at the end of the season and heading to the USA, according to the English media. That much seems to be indisputable, but which team will the 34-year-old land with? The initial talk suggested LA, but he is now being linked with a move to Dallas. Cipriani is entering the twilight of his career but remains a tremendously skilled player who should enjoy an escape from English tabloids and dreary weather.

Sensational Selknam complete SLAR 2022 double over Jaguares XV
Selknam completed a sensational double. They were 23-10 winners over Los Jaguares XV on Wednesday. The result gave Selknam four competition points and moves Selknam above Los Jaguares XV to occupy second position in the standings. Chile are well on track to give the USA Eagles a run for their money in July’s RWC 2023 qualifiers.

Colombia’s Cafeteros Pro edge towards SLAR play-offs
Los Cafeteros Pro are now in the play-off zone. The Colombian SLAR entrant were 29-18 winners over Os Cobras on Wednesday afternoon. The result moves Los Cafeteros Pro above the Olímpia Lions to currently occupy 4th position.

North Americans star as Exeter clinch Semi Final spot
Exeter Chiefs are into the Premier 15s Semi Finals after a stunning 54-12 win over league-leaders Saracens. Gabby Cantorna led the way with a try and seven conversions, with one try each going to fellow Eagles Hope Rogers, Rachel Johnson, and Jennine Detiveaux. Canadian international Emily Tuttosi also touched down. North Americans will feature for three of the four Semi Finalists, with a Saracens vs Exeter rematch in the Final a distinct possibility.

Impressive Eagles longlist named for World Cup
Rob Cain has named 42 players in his Eagles longlist for October’s World Cup in New Zealand. It contains an unprecedented 22 overseas-based players, all but one from England’s Premier 15s competition. Also included is former England winger Lotte Clapp who makes the switch to the USA via the new union transfer regulation. 30 players will make the final cut for the big show but first the squad will travel to the South Pacific for next month’s Pacific Four competition.

Incredible Imhoff is among the Giants
Juan Imhoff was a try scorer on Sunday for Racing 92. The Top 14 side were 41-22 winners over the Sale Sharks in Paris. The result sees Racing 92 into the European Champions Cup Semi Finals. The try was Imhoff’s 33rd in the European Champions Cup. This furthered his record as the leading try scorer of all players from outside of Europe in tournament history. Only three men have more tries in competition history than Imhoff. That number may be down to two within weeks.

David Ainu’u flying as High as an Eagle
Ainu’u was part of a spectacular winning effort on Saturday. Toulouse defeated Munster in a rare penalty shoot-out contest to book their place in the final four of the Champions Cup. The teams were tied at 24-24 at full-time and also at the end of extra-time. Ainu’u was a 50th minute replacement for Toulouse. This meant that he played 30 minutes of the second half and both ten minute periods of extra time.

Pablo Matera Proving World Class for Crusaders
Puma Pablo Matera was a try scorer for the Crusaders on Saturday in Perth, Australia. The Crusaders were 53-15 winners in a match in which Matera scored his first try for the New Zealand team. Matera played the match at No8. His performance was impressive. In addition to scoring a try, Matera made 11 carries for 18 meter gain, completed two off-loads and made six passes. On defense he made 14 tackles.

Argentines press for Pumas selection in Italy
The first of two stages of the Italian Top 10 Semi Finals were played this past weekend. Involved were a number of Argentine players. Rovigo won 16-9 against Valorugby Emilia. Three Argentines started for Rovigo: Facundo Ferrario, Lucas Bur, and Rafael Lértora. Ferrario and Bur were on the radar in 2021. Gonzalo García, Javier Díaz, and Teo Castiglioni started for Valorugby. Calvisano won 16-12 against Petrarca. They did so with Facundo Panceyra Garrido, Tomás Bernasconi and Bautista Grenon while Diego Galetto played for Petraca. Bernasconi was impressive for Los Jaguares XV in SLAR 2021.

UNDER

July fixtures a step down for Canada 
Halifax will be the setting for the Canadian Men’s test against Belgium on July 2. Kingsley Jones remains as Head Coach of the team. He will have just one test this summer with the second match a non-cap friendly against the French Barbarians at TD Place in Ottawa on July 10. It is a disappointing schedule for Canada who need to move on from their RWC 2023 elimination at the hands of Chile.

Chile get the Big Game but Scotland go for ‘A’ status
Chile will play against Scotland ‘A’ on Saturday, June 25. Though not a full test, Scotland ‘A’ are an official ‘next senior’ side and the match with the non-capped players involved to be captured. The ‘A’ status means that no caps will be awarded. Why is this so? Are Scotland afraid of losing rankings points as happened in 2018 against the USA in Houston?

Loss a double blow for Rugby ATL
The Utah Warriors snapped their six-game losing streak in style with a stunning 44-26 upset over Rugby ATL on Sunday night. It was a wild seesaw battle that entertained the Zions Bank faithful from start to finish, with the home side pulling away in the final quarter. For Rugby ATL the loss was disastrous. It was followed by Rugby New York winning on Sunday to go above the Atlanta side to now occupy second position in the MLR Eastern Conference.

Game over for Toronto and San Diego
The Arrows and Legion each suffered crushing defeats at home over the weekend, failing to secure even a losing bonus point. Though mathematically neither have been eliminated from the playoffs, barring a miracle the ship has sailed. For both sides it’s gravely disappointing after holding high hopes at the beginning of the year. Injuries have certainly played their part but in the end both teams simply haven’t executed at key moments. Changes are needed for next season.

Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz out of RWC Qualifiers through suspension
Old Glory DC’s Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz received a 10-week-suspension for foul play. He will now miss the remainder of the 2022 MLR season and he is now of contention for the USA’s World Cup qualifier series against Chile in July. He was suspended for foul play against the Dallas Jackals wherein he was spotted lowering a knee into the face of Augusto Böhme who is, coincidentally Chilean.

Great month ends all wrong for Hanco Germishuys
LA Giltinis back row Hanco Germishuys has been suspended for three weeks. The USA international was sent off 59 minutes into the game against ATL after landing an elbow on the head of Will Leonard. As a result Germishuys missed this past weekend’s pivotal match against the Austin Gilgronis and is also out of subsequent games against the San Diego Legion and Dallas Jackals. He will be free to play again in the May 28 road fixture against the Utah Warriors.

Strong start gone as Olímpia Lions losing streak increases
The Olímpia Lions defeated Peñarol at the start of SLAR 2022. Now Peñarol are flying high and the Paraguayans are on a four match losing streak. Peñarol have secured a place in the SLAR 2022 semi finals while the Olímpia Lions are under pressure. They are outside of the top four with Los Cafeteros Pro closing in on a place in the play-offs instead.