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

World Rugby Honor Kathy Flores
The late Kathy Flores is to be inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Flores is recognized for her accomplishments as both a player and coach. She captained the USA in their first ever international in 1987 and played in two World Cups, famously winning the inaugural women’s edition in 1991. After hanging up the boots Flores coached the Eagles from 2003 until 2011, finishing 5th at each of RWCs 2006 and 2010.

Three Americas ‘A’ teams to battle it out in Montevideo
Uruguay will host a three-match international series including the second-senior (‘A’) sides of the USA and Argentina. All three matches will be played at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo between Tuesday, October 13, and Friday, October 23.

Porteño Glory DC
A busy week of signing for the 2023 MLR season was highlights by Old Glory DC recruiting heavily. The club signed Quintin Newcomer from the Free Jacks and four players from South America. Arriving are center Fermín Martínez from Newman in Buenos Aires and three players from rivals Hindú. They are flanker Lautaro Bavaro, former Super Rugby fly half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla and Uruguayan RWC hooker Facundo Gattas who returns for a second campaign.

Mateo Carreras puts forth storming case for Pumas recall
The Newcastle Falcons were 30-15 winners over the Bristol Bears on Friday. The result was an upset win. It featured a double for Mateo Carreras who was one of three Pumas starting for the Falcons. Newcastle had an 11, 12, 13 Argentine lineup with Mateo Carreras, Matías Orlando and Matías Moroni. Orlando and Moroni have been busy for Argentina in 2022 while Carreras is yet to receive game time. His man of the match performance against Bristol will boost his prospects of selection in November.

Tomás Albornoz makes it a big Tucumán weekend
A second Tucumán back impressed in Europe’s elite this past weekend. Tomás Albornoz was man of the match for Benetton against the Scarlets. Albornoz scored a try and kicked five goals for the Italians against the Welsh. Albornoz made his test debut against Australia in the Rugby Championship. He is yet to start a test match, though he is on his way to doing so.

From Misiones to France’s elite
Martín Bogado is to play in France. The 24-year-old is on his way to play for Bayonne. The move comes with Bayonne in need of a replacement for injured winger Arthur Duhau who requires knee surgery. Bogado arrives as cover as a medical joker. The uncapped Argentine now has a wonderful opportunity to play rugby’s leading professional league.

UNDER

Argentine forwards out of November Internationals
Argentina will be forced into changes for the November Internationals. Three forwards have been ruled out of the matches against England, Scotland, and Wales in the UK. Second-rower Guido Petti is out for two months with a knee injury. Prop Mayco Vivas is out with a broken left forearm. No8 Rodrigo Bruni has undergone surgery on his right foot.

Long winter wait for Canada extended
Canada will not be playing against the All Blacks XV on October 29. New Zealand’s second-choice side was to travel to North America as part of their end-of-year tour, but have now confirmed games against Ireland ‘A’ and the Barbarians in November. A release from New Zealand Rugby makes no mention of the Canada match at all, despite confirming the fixture in late June. There have been no formal announcements for Canada’s opponents in the upcoming test window.

Warriors of Worcester suspended 
With debts totaling more than £25m the Worcester Warriors were suspended by England Rugby and put into administration. The survival of the club in the English Premiership and as an entity in and of itself is in grave danger. Many Americas players have played for the team over the years. Puma Santiago Medrano signed for this season from Super Rugby. His involvement looks to have ended before it started.

Time Running out for Nicolás Sánchez
It was not exclusively good news for Tucumán this past week as Nicolás Sánchez will not be remaining at Stade Français. The veteran fly half will depart the Parisian club at the completion of the 2022-2023 season. Sánchez is yet to play this season; he was injured in Argentina’s opening match of the July Internationals against Scotland. Sánchez is in a race against time to win back a place in Los Pumas for the World Cup.