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 are 2022 MLR Champions
Rugby New York captured their first Major League Rugby title with a comprehensive 30-15 victory over the Seattle Seawolves at Red Bull Arena on Saturday. The odds were stacked against the visitors with fatigue a clear factor, but they helped put on a competitive and entertaining contest. Andy Ellis produced a vintage performance to earn man-of-the-match honors in what was his final run-out as a professional player.

Titi Lamositele is a French Champion
Titi Lamositele is a French Top 14 Champion. The Washington state prop started for Montpellier in the final against Castres on Friday. Lamositele and his fellow forwards put on an outstanding performance to tumble Castres early on. Montpellier won 29-10.

Seven New Teros
Seven players made their test debuts for Uruguay against Japan. Center Bautista Basso and prop Mathias Franco did so in the second test played this past Saturday. The first test match saw scrum-half Santiago Álvarez debuting alongside hooker Emiliano Faccennini, and back-rowers Lucas Bianchi, Carlos Deus and Tomás Etcheverry. All are young and ready to challenge established names for places.

French Barbarians Sending the Cavalry to Houston
Big names are on the French Barbarians roster to face USA Men’s Eagles at AVEVA Stadium in Houston on July 1. The non-test match will serve as a warm-up for the World Cup Qualifying series against Chile scheduled for July 9 in Santiago and July 16 in Denver. RWC players on their way to Houston include Louis Picamoles, Jefferson Poirot, and François Trinh-Duc. Former French fullback Nans Ducuing is also included.

 

UNDER

Uruguay Humbled by Japan
Uruguay were humbled by Japan on Saturday, losing 43-7. Played at the Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu, the home side controlled play to easily account for Los Teros. The defeat was the largest by the South Americans since 2018.

Chile lose battle against Scotland ‘A’
Chile fell 45-5 to Scotland ‘A on Saturday. The teams played a non-capped match in the Chilean capital to start their respective mid-year international schedules. The level between the sides was evident on the day, though there were signs throughout the contest that Chile is on track to fight for the Americas 2 against the USA.

Clouds surround Chilean Backs involvement against USA
Two Chilean backs are in doubt for the upcoming international duty. Chile will face the USA in a home-and-away series in June. The winner, on aggregate, will qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 as Americas 2. The French-based Iñaki Ayarza started at inside center for Los Cóndores against Scotland ‘A’. Selknam fulback Francisco Urroz started in his SLAR position. Both players were replaced with injuries.

Pumas suffer Gonzalo García Blow
One United Rugby Championship (URC) scrum-half replaces another. Gonzalo Bertranou is back in Los Pumas. The Dragons scrum-half received a call-up to replace Gonzalo García of Zebre. The latter is out of the July Internationals with a shoulder injury.

Benjamín Urdapilleta in doubt for Pumas
Argentina will be without Benjamín Urdapilleta for game one and possibly all three games in July. The veteran fly half was injured in the Top 14 Final on Friday. Castres were beaten in Paris by Montpellier. Urdapilleta has been the top performing Argentine fly half this season. With him injured Nicolás Sánchez is the one speciliast fly half on the roster. Uncapped Santiago Mare is set to join the team as emergency cover.

Dallas Jackals and GM Elaine Vassie Part Ways
Dallas Jackals General Manager Elaine Vassie left the club. As acting Head Coach in addition to her GM role, Vassie is the first coaching change of the Major League Rugby off-season. A member of the organization since its inception, Vassie was initially an Assistant GM but was promoted to the lead role in August of 2021. In doing so she became the first female GM in Major League Rugby.