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

Chicago Hounds land Dream Centers
Major League Rugby newcomers Chicago signed two-time Back of the Year Billy Meakes from LA and high-flying Mark O’Keeffe from Austin. They join leading USA player Bryce Campbell as centers for the upcoming season. The expansion side have also picked up Mike Matarazzo, Michael de Waal, and Chris Mattina with several new signings to come this week.

Defending MLR champs New York have new name and new coach
Rugby New York have formally adopted a new nickname for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The defending champions will be known as the ‘Ironworkers’. Heading up the new-look coaching staff for the side will be former Utah Warriors player-coach James Semple, with ex-All Blacks prop Ben Afeaki installed as Forwards Coach.

Big names switch teams with MLR Preseason set to begin
The Hounds weren’t the only ones making moves this past week. Houston signed Hanco Germishuys and Dom Akina, Spencer Jones is off to New England, Corey Thomas has landed in Toronto, and Old Glory acquired highly-rated draft pick KoiKoi Nelligan. Newcomers to MLR include DC’s new Argentine flanker Alejo Daireaux, and a pair of ex-NZ u20 front rowers in Shilo Klein who signed for San Diego and Sean Paranihi who joined NOLA.

Córdoba to join rebranded SLAR – Super Rugby Americas
Argentina will have a new professional rugby team. The country’s second largest city will be home to a new team to compete in the rebranded Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). Córdoba will give Argentina two teams in the 2023 Super Rugby Americas. The team will be coached by Nicolás Galatro, Diego Ghiglione and Stefano Ambrosio. Córdoba, will join the two entrants from North America in addition to the SLAR 2022 competitors Peñarol (Uruguay), Cobras (Brazil), Olímpia Lions (Paraguay), Selknam (Chile), and Los Jaguares XV (Argentina).

Premier Rugby Sevens set for expansion
Premier Rugby Sevens intends to double its number of franchises for the 2023 season. Four competed this past season, with each fielding a Women’s and Men’s team. The professional league will also move to an East-West conference system. A series of talent identification camps will be held beginning in January, with a Canadian stop also being planned.

Pumas among the scorers in Europe
Argentines were among the scorers in the latest round of competition in Europe. Former Puma Sebastián Cancelliere scored for the Glasgow Warriors in the team’s 26-18 Challenge Cup win over Perpignan. Julián Montoya scored for the Leicester Tigers in their Champions Cup win over Clermont. Tomás Albornoz and Nicolas Sánchez booth kicked goals but both were overshadowed by Emiliano Boffelli who kicked four goals for Edinburgh in a winning effort against Castres.

 

UNDER

Premier 15s under fire after leaving North in the cold
England’s elite Women’s competition has announced significant changes to the league structure for the 2023-2024 season. Four current teams have been cut, with two others added. Nine North American players could be affected as a result of the drastic alterations with the decision to drop Sale Sharks in particular receiving harsh feedback on social media. There are currently no teams north of the East Midlands set to participate next season.

Lucas Lacamp Sidelined
Lucas Lacamp looks set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future after suffering a lower leg injury while playing against Fiji in last weekend’s Cape Town Sevens Quarter Final. The 21-year-old speedster will require surgical repair this week. He scored a hat-trick against Uganda in Cape Town and had seven tries through two tournaments played. No timeline for a return to play has been determined yet.

Thomas Gallo also out of action
Thomas Gallo is also sidelined. The Argentine prop is out for two months after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. The injury comes on the end of a highly productive year. Gallo proved to be able to play against the best and to do so as an impressive athlete. His defense and work in the set-piece earned him praise while his ball-carrying has him quickly being noted as one of the most exciting props in the world.

Chile’s opening RWC match venue may change
Chile’s opening match venue at Rugby World Cup 2023 may change. Los Cóndores are scheduled to play against Japan on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Le Stadium in Toulouse. Nine months out from the World Cup, doubts have surfaced in France concerning whether the stadium will in fact be ready in time. Toulouse has been allocated five matches at the World Cup. Chile is the one team from the Americas that stands to be affected.

Top Argentine scrumhalf in Danger of Missing World Cup
Gonzalo García is in danger of missing Rugby World Cup 2023. García tore the cruciate ligaments in his right knee. The injury is the second this year for the 23-year-old scrumhalf, after previously undergoing shoulder surgery. It took place after he had been named on Michael Cheika’s first roster of the year to face Scotland in July.

European Cup in Africa
The European Champions Cup and the Challenge Cup are facing a challenge to stay relevant. Including South African teams from the United Rugby Championship has not been met warmly from many. The loss of prestige as determining Europe’s best is part of the problem, while the distance limits the ability of fans to travel. Pumas winger Juan Imhoff is among those on record as disapproving of South African teams in the flagship European competition.