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

USA defeats Chile in Qualifier classic
The USA edged Chile 22-21 in an extraordinary first leg of their World Cup Qualifier Series in front of a partisan crowd at the Estadio Santa Laura in Santiago. Driving rain throughout left the pitch water-logged and saw both teams relying heavily on their kicking game. A power outage in the second half added to what was a ferocious contest for the full 80 minutes. The USA will take a one-point lead back home with the second leg to be played at a sold-out Infinity Park next Saturday.

Rodrigo Fernández worth the price of admission
Back in October it was Canada who saw up close what the Chilean flyhalf can do if given a hint of space. On Saturday night it was the USA’s turn, as Fernández produced one of the great individual scores to keep Los Cóndores in the running for a World Cup spot.

They say you can’t play running rugby in wet conditions… 😮

They were wrong.pic.twitter.com/uYRGW21jgi

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 10, 2022

Argentina XV claim another Top-20 victim
A strong second half saw the Argentina XV come from behind to beat Portugal 52-35 at the Estádio do Restelo in Lisbon on Saturday. It’s the second week in a row that Argentina’s second choice side have overturned a full test lineup in the top 20 of the World Rankings, following on the 30-24 win over Georgia. Several players will be of interest to Pumas coach Michael Cheika, not least flyhalf Tomás Albornoz and inside center Lucas Mensa.

Diego Magno is the first Centurion in Americas history
His team unfortunately didn’t perform on the memorable occasion, but Uruguay’s Diego Magno made history on Sunday. He won his 100th cap for Los Teros, the first player in the Americas to achieve the century mark. The 33-year-old made his debut against Russia in 2008 and has proved remarkably resilient, playing across the second and back row. Career highlights include World Cup appearances in 2015 and 2019. Magno spent three seasons in MLR with the Houston SaberCats.

MLR talent to feature in World Cup with Namibia
Namibia have secured their place at Rugby World Cup 2023 with a dominant victory over Kenya on Sunday to capture the Africa Cup. The starting lineup featured four Major League Rugby players – back rows Wian Conradie of New England and Adriaan Booysen from Dallas, NOLA scrumhalf Damian Stevens, and Utah flyhalf Cliven Loubser. Uncapped center Le Roux Malan could be one to watch for Namibia coach Allister Coetzee after a breakout season with the Free Jacks.

 

UNDER

Uruguay stuck in 1st gear against 14-man Romania
Los Teros were defeated 30-22 by Romania in Montevideo on Sunday. A poor opening half saw Uruguay conceding 17 unanswered points, while the visitors overcame an early red card to secure victory in the first of the two-test series. The two sides will rematch at the Estadio Charrúa on Sunday.

Argentina misfire against Scotland in Salta
Los Pumas crashed to a 29-6 defeat at the hands of Scotland on Saturday. A sellout crowd in Salta turned up on Argentina’s Independence Day, but they were left disappointed as their team couldn’t solve a resolute Scottish defense despite numerous chances to put points on the board.

Spain steamroll Canada in Ottawa
The Canadians closed out their summer schedule on the wrong end of a 57-34 hammering at the hands of Spain on Sunday. Los Leones scored at will for 65 minutes, with two late scores padding Canada’s final tally. It was the third-highest points conceded in a home test by the Maple Leafs, and the highest since losing 60-3 to Wales at York University Stadium in 2005.

Kingsley Jones
The knives are out for Canada’s Senior Men’s coach once again. His charges looked woefully disorganized in defense and the lineout continues to operate at a poor standard. There seems to be no rhyme or reason with selection and the public has lost confidence in Jones, with some calling for his resignation. It remains to be seen if incoming Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys takes action to breathe new life into a program in dire need of a change in direction.

World Rugby
Last week we took aim at USAR’s lingering broadcast deal with FloRugby. This week our sights are firmly on World Rugby. Previous RWC Qualifying matches have been streamed live on the governing body’s YouTube channel, but not on Saturday. Instead fans around the globe had to scrape to find an illegal stream to watch the USA play Chile. Let’s hope they pick up their socks ahead of the deciding test in Colorado this weekend.