Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It takes a dive into the best and worst involving Americas Rugby from the past week.

 

UP

Free Jacks get their hands on the MLR Shield
The New England Free Jacks are Major League Rugby champions for the first time after a pulsating 25-24 victory over the San Diego Legion on Saturday. More than 10,000 fans, an MLR Final record, took in the occasion at the neutral SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago and were treated to an instant classic with the game in the balance until the final whistle.

Colombia Qualify for WXV
Colombia defeated Brazil 30-19 in Medellín on Sunday. Leidy Soto was the star with a hat-trick. The decisive result, in combination with the win earlier on in the week, sees Las Tucanes qualifying for the WXV. Colombia will be the Sudamérica Rugby participant in the WXV in Dubai.

Record Crowd watches Canada fall to World Champions
It wasn’t the result they wanted, but Canada will remember the 10,000 fans who showed up in Ottawa rather than the scoreline. It was a record for a women’s international in the country, a second piece of good news after the Free Jacks victory involving several Canadian players. On the pitch New Zealand’s backline cut the Maple Leafs to shreds but up front the home side more than held their own.

Argentina Bounce Back Against Japan
Following bad showings against Georgia and South Africa, Argentina needed to rebound and did so. Los Pumitas were 45-20 winners over Japan on Sunday. The result puts Argentina into the 9th Place Final against Fiji. While the results could be better, individual players have stuck up their hands; many will be on the radar for Los Pumas in the coming years.

Spain look to Pablo Bouza 
Real Federación Española de Rugby (FER) President, Juan Carlos Martín ‘Hansen’, announced in his 2023 General Assembly presentation that Pablo Bouza is the chosen candidate to be Los Leones Head Coach. Bouza is a well-known coach in Spanish-language rugby circles. He earned 37 test caps for Argentina from 1996-2007. He coached Peñarol to two South American titles and is a former Argentine assistant coach.

Chile XV start well against California Grizzlies
The Chile XV were 47-22 winners on Wednesday. The national next-of-XV won the first of three matches against the touring California Grizzlies. The match was played behind closed doors in Santiago. The California Grizzlies are a High Performance academy side based in San Francisco. The side is made-up of players from universities throughout the state of California.

Quesada to coach against many of his former Jaguares
Argentina will face Italy in 2024. Los Pumas have a date locked-in to face the Azzurri as part of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. The match will be special for Los Pumas; it will be the first match against Italy with Gonzalo Quesada in charge. The former Pumas fly half will take up the role of Italian Head Coach following Rugby World Cup 2023. Quesada coached the core of Los Pumas in Super Rugby.

 

UNDER

Argentina’s False Start
Argentina were heavily beaten at home on Saturday. An early try was determined a non-score and following the false start, the All Blacks exploded with ferocity as they controlled the tempo of play. New Zealand’s explosive opening half saw a flurry of tries. Five tries in all meant the game was over at half time, the All Blacks had the bonus point secured and held a 31-0 advantage.

Eagles Blasted in Pacific Four
Australia put their hiding at the hands of New Zealand behind them with a dominant 58-17 win over the USA in their Pacific Four clash on Saturday. Played at the neutral venue of Ottawa’s TD Place Stadium, the Wallaroos were in control from start to finish and outscored the North Americans nine tries to three.

Small Junior World Championship 
Argentina’s win over Japan on Sunday officially saved the South Americans from relegation. Italy, who defeated South Africa, can be relegated. The competition has just twelve teams. Why is this the case? The competition merits more teams and ought to be expanded at the next opportunity.

Sam Cane Kicks a Fan
New Zealand’s captain may be in big trouble. With the match in Mendoza long over an invading fan was on the field running from security. Sam Cane kicked the teenage invader. Videos of the incident showed the All Black kicking the fan with force and also the reaction from the sidelines with chants of “son of a bitch” direct at Cane. Ireland captain Jonny Sexton may miss the World Cup a as result of breaching regulations. His actions were verbal.

Chile Monitoring Minor Injuries
Chilean captain Martín Sigren is one of three players recovering from injuries. Sigren underwent elbow surgery following the completion of the English season. He played for the Doncaster Knights in the RFU Championship. Sigren is now fully recovered and will be available for Chile’s final warm-up matches. Second-rowers Javier Eissmann and Augusto Sarmiento are also recovering. Eissmann is not yet able to fully participate but he is expected to be fine for World Cup selection. Injury to Eissmann meant he needs game time urgently.

Rogers and Heinrich Late Losses for Eagles
World Cup star Hope Rogers and strong-running midfielder Emily Henrich were ruled out of the Eagles squad for the Pacific Four due to injury. Both were initially included in the final roster of 30 to compete against Australia and New Zealand in Ottawa. Rich Ashfield called up Mona Lisa Tupou and Meya Bizer as replacements.

World Cup Hopes complicated for Bautista Delguy
Bautista Delguy was named to start on the right wing for Argentina in Mendoza. An hour before kick-off this changed with Sebastián Cancelliere taking-up an SOS. The injury has also seen Delguy out of the tour to Australia and South Africa. With Santiago Cordero, Juan Imhoff and Juan Cruz Mallía all back now is not the time to be injured.