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

Canada Women into World Cup Semi Final
Canada have booked their spot in this coming weekend’s World Cup Semi Finals after a convincing 32-11 victory over the USA in Auckland, New Zealand. The heavy rain let up before the match but slippery conditions still saw both teams making several unforced errors, with the Canadians proving more accurate at key moments. Veterans Karen Paquin and Elissa Alarie, both in their mid-30s, turned back the clock with vintage performances for the Maple Leafs.

Canada Men end South American tour on a high
Canada ‘A’ closed out their Americas Rugby Trophy with a 31-14 win over the Brazil XV in Mogi das Cruzes on Friday. The inexperienced visitors outscored their hosts five tries to two, and an in an impressive second half denied the Brazilians any points at all. Canada’s senior squad will head to Amsterdam to play the Netherlands on November 12 and Namibia a week later.

From SLAR to Pumas for Argentine Trio
The uncapped trio of Franco Molina, Eliseo Morales and Martín Bogado are on the Argentine roster for the upcoming November Internationals. All three have realistic opportunities of receiving game-time. They played in SLAR 2022 for different teams – Selknam, Cafeteros Pro and Jaguares XV. While injuries have seen the door opening for them there is no denying that SLAR has aided Argentina tremendously.

Chile hand Pablo Huete Dream Call-up
Former Bayonne lock Pablo Huete has been recalled to Chile’s squad for their upcoming tour of Europe. The 33-year-old last played for Los Cóndores against Portugal in November of 2019. Along with vast experience, Huete gives the squad a second 2-meter (6’7″) lock to compliment Javier Eissmann. Also included in the 31-man squad are three overseas professionals – tighthead prop Matías Dittus, flanker and captain Martín Sigren, and midfielder Iñaki Ayarza.

Felipe Ezcurra Leads Grenoble home
Former Puma Felipe Ezcurra captained Grenoble to victory on Thursday. Grenoble were 19-18 winners over Nevers. The win sees Grenoble retaining a top four spot in the Pro D2. The club has a 6-3 record after 9 rounds of the 2022-2023 season. Oyonnax lead on 31 points and are the only team currently out of reach of Grenoble.

 

UNDER

MLR loses two West Conference contenders
Major League Rugby have spoken. After months of silence, the league confirmed on Tuesday that the Austin Gilgronis and LA Giltinis will no longer be competing. Also confirmed is the addition of a new team in 2023. Though MLR did not name the group, ARN understands that Chicago will be the 12th side. Both Austin and LA were owned by Adam Gilchrist, co-founder of the F45 gym franchise. He was forced to step down as CEO of the company after its share price dropped dramatically earlier this year and has not make a public appearance since.

Uruguay need quick-fix solution at scrum-half
Agustín Ormaechea will not play for Uruguay in the November Internationals. The veteran of RWCs 2015 and 2019 is out as it flanker Franco Lamanna. The loss of Ormaechea was compounded on Saturday with Santiago Arata leaving the field hurt for Castres against Clermont. Arata will miss the tour opener against Georgia and is in a race against time to be fit to play for Los Teros against Romania and Tonga.

USA without golden boys Titi Lamositele and Joe Taufete’e for RWC Qualifiers
Gary Gold’s 30-man roster for the upcoming RWC 2023 qualifiers has eight uncapped players. The USA will play tests against Kenya, Hong Kong, and Portugal with the winner of the round-robin Repechage advancing to France 2023. Joe Taufete’e and Titi Lamositele are missing. They are undeniably elite players for the USA but will not take to the field. The former is injured while the reasons surrounding the latter’s continued absence remain unclear.

Can I please have a cap?
2022 has seen Brazil touring Chile for a two-match-series only for it to be the Chile XV vs Brazil XV. Competitions in Montevideo and Mogi das Cruzes have brought together teams from all six members of the former Americas Rugby Championship. This is to continue in November with Brazil and Paraguay playing as the Brazil XV and Paraguay XV respectively. This World Cup cycle will likely turn out to be a record low for tests played by Americas nations other than Argentina in the modern era.

Marcos Kremer to watch from the stands in London
Star flanker Marcos Kremer will miss the opening fixture of Los Pumas’ three-match November tour of the UK. Kremer was suspended for three weeks and has served two of them. The Puma will be able to play again as of November 7. Argentina are to face England in London one day earlier on Sunday, November 6. Kremer will be free to face Wales and Scotland in November.