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

Peñarol Crowned South American Champions
Peñarol are the 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) champions. The Uruguayans defeated Selknam 24-13 in the final in Montevideo on Friday evening. The win came with a strong start, one that gave them a commanding lead before Selknam clashed back to make it into a genuine contest. Before the came had even started, the occasion was historic; Argentina’s hegemony has ended. Teams from Uruguay and Chile contested the SLAR 2022 Final. Both were unbeaten vs Los Jaguares XV in 2022.

Manuel Ardao the clear MVP in 2022 SLAR season
ARN named Manuel Ardao SLAR MVP for 2022. The decision was made prior to the SLAR Final where Ardao was man of the match. What a season the Uruguayan has had. Whether it is at flanker or No8, Ardao is busy winning turnovers, scoring tries, tackling and carrying as a ball carrier. He looked like a player above that of the others on the field. An elite club should sign him while they can.

Houston Claim Historic Playoff Birth
The wait is over; the SaberCats will compete in the postseason for the first time. Houston were beaten 43-36 at Seattle on Friday, but in doing so they secured two bonus points. Late tries to Nick Boyer and Zach Pangelinan proved decisive and Robbie Povey kicked three points with time expired. Houston contest the Texas Cup against Austin on Friday in a match that will also help determine the final seeding for the playoffs.

Free Jacks set new standard for Regular Season success
New England were unstoppable at Fort Quincy on Sunday as they rolled over the NOLA Gold by a final score of 57-5. In doing so the Free Jacks became the first team in Major League Rugby history to win 13 games in the regular season. They have now clinched both a spot in the Eastern Conference Final and coveted home field advantage for the playoffs by finishing first overall with one week to spare.

Giltinis smiling at the expense of Warriors in Utah
The LA Giltinis inched closer to securing top spot in the Western Conference with a 39-32 win over the Utah Warriors at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday. Discipline cost the home side with three yellow cards brandished in a span of 17 minutes and a red card to Niall Saunders on full-time.

Atlanta book Eastern Conference Playoff spot
Rugby ATL clinched their spot in the postseason with a 34-23 win over the Toronto Arrows at Silverbacks Park on Saturday. In doing so the Canadian side are eliminated from contention, which means Rugby New York are also playoff-bound. It is a short turnaround for ATL as they end their regular season with a home game against NOLA Gold on Friday.

Francisco Gómez Kodela becomes European Challenge Cup Champion
Francisco Gómez Kodela was a part of a winning effort in the 2022 Challenge Cup Final. Lyon were 30-12 winners over Toulon in an all-French clash. The beaten finalists had a Puma of their own in Facundo Isa. Both men received test recalls in 2020 and remained in the team in 2021. They are well-placed for opportunities in 2022.

European Champion Joel Sclavi shows why Los Pumas scrum issues appear over
Joel Sclavi and Facundo Bosch are 2022 European club champions. The Argentine front rowers were second-half replacements for La Rochelle who defeated Leinster. The victory gave the French club its first ever trophy at the elite level; remarkably European glory came before winning the Top 14 title. La Rochelle coach Ronan O’Gara commented that his team won with the basics of a scrum. Sclavi and Bosch were a part of that.

Los Ayarza’s and Charente Win Promotion to Pro D2
Charente have won promotion back to the Pro D2. The French club won promotion by defeating Valence Romans 21-18 on Sunday. The win included Chilean internationals Iñaki Ayarza and Ramón Ayarza. Both players are capped by Los Cóndores. Winger Iñaki Ayarza provided the key play at the key moment. He made a break down the left and off-loaded to Kema Raivono who scored in the left corner. Ramón Ayarza played at prop.

Diego Galetto secures title in Italy
Córdoba provincial second-rower Diego Galetto started for Petrarca in a winning effort today. Petrarca Rugby defeated Rugby Rovigo Delta 19-6 to win the Italian Top 10 title. It means Italy have a new champion as Rovigo won the title in 2021. Galetto started the final in his natural position of lock.

UNDER

Bittersweet win for Seattle
It was a bittersweet result for the Seawolves as they defeated the SaberCats 43-36 at a packed Starfire Stadium on Friday night. Unfortunately for the home side, a late surge from the visitors gave Houston two bonus points and with it a ticket to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The Seawolves are out of the running for the playoffs.

Toronto Arrows Eliminated
A 34-23 loss against Rugby ATL on Saturday saw the Toronto Arrows’ 2022 MLR play-off’s hopes ended. The Canadian side scored two tries but conceded four at Silverbacks Park. The Arrows will look to close their 2022 campaign on a high on Sunday. They are to take on Old Glory DC on home soil.

San Diego Legion 2022 Over and Out
The AG’s achieved their target on Saturday with a dominant 44-28 win over San Diego at Bold Stadium. While the Gilgronis march on towards the post-season, it was the end of the line for the Legion as they closed their 2022 campaign with an 8-8 record. San Diego’s list of legends – the likes of Ma’a Nonu, Joe Pietersen, and Chris Robshaw – may well have played their last games in Major League Rugby.

French Barbarians No-Show Canada
The French Barbarians pulled out of the previously announced match against Canada. Confirmed earlier this month, the invitational side was to be the featured opponent for the Canadians on July 10 in Ottawa. A replacement has already been arranged with Spain now to arrive for a one-off test. Los Leones are currently ranked 15th in the world, six spots above Canada, but are reeling from their recent disqualification from participation in the 2023 World Cup for fielding an ineligible player in two matches against Holland. The Spanish Federation is currently going through the appeal process.

World Rugby’s unbalanced eligibility laws in full display
Spain have officially appealed the decision that saw them disqualified from the World Cup. Their submission points out the absurdity of the eligibility laws and their enforcement. In the same week Tonga have named a Pacific Nations Cup squad with Israel Folau, Charles Piutau, and Augustine Pulu on the roster. All have played test rugby for top tier nations; Folau represented Australia on 73 occasions including the 2015 World Cup Final. World Rugby have opened the door for a select few and continue to squeeze it shut for many others.