Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
International competition between Chile and Namibia will officially begin on Saturday. The two Rugby World Cup 2023 competitors will meet in a first-ever test match between the countries. It is to officially be the third best South American country playing host to the second best African country.
Chile played entirely different teams against Uruguay and the Argentina XV. The line-up named by Pablo Lemoine to face Namibia is closer to what is expected to be the starting formation at the World Cup.
Martín Sigren leads the side from flanker. He is joined by Alfonso Escobar and Clemente Saavedra in the back-row. The trio are all strong ball-carriers and defenders. Saavedra has played a lot in the second-row; though, back-row is where Chile need him the most.
The front-five is big. There is a lot of size for a good push in the scrum as well as an attacking maul. Salvador Lues, Augusto Bohme, and Matías Dittus will start in the front-row while Pablo Huete, and Javier Eissmann lock the scrum.
The backs will be organized by scrum-half Marcelo Torrealba. He will have three play-makers with Rodrigo Fernández, Santiago Videla and Iñaki Ayarza all starting. Videla will play on the wing which is far from his natural position but is where he started in the win that saw Chile qualify for the World Cup.
The center combination is familiar but will start with the reverse numbers on their backs than is the normal. Domingo Saavedra will play inside Matías Garafulic. Both men are in fine form; the former scored against the Argentina XV and the later against Uruguay.
Namibia have been consistent in their selections in South America. There are again alterations rather than massive changes to the line-up. Aranos Coetzee replaces Casper Viviers at tight head while Ruan Ludick replaces Tjiuee Uanivi in the second-row.
The back-row again sees Major League Rugby (MLR) star Wian Conradie starting on the side of the scrum. Against Chile he will be joined by former SLAR back-rower Max Katjijeko. Katjijeko. replaces Johan Retief to wear the number 7 shirt. The back-row will be completed by former Wallaby Richard Hardwick. He made the eligibility allegiance change to Namibia this year.
There is one change in the backs. Chad Plato replaces Gerswin Mouton on the right wing. The backs will again feature the big boot of fly half Tiaan Swanepoel and the dancing feet of Divan Roussouw at fullback. Veteran Johan Deysel again captains the Africans from outside center.
Regardless of the outcome of the contest, ARN is very pleased that this fixture is taking place. It is the first ever Chile vs Namibia clash and will certainly not be the only one for very long.
CHILE
1 Salvador Lues, 2 Augusto Bohme, 3 Matías Dittus, 4 Pablo Huete, 5 Javier Eissmann, 6 Martín Sigren (capt.), 7 Clemente Saavedra, 8 Alfonso Escobar, 9 Marcelo Torrealba, 10 Rodrigo Fernández, 11 Nicolás Garafulic, 12 Domingo Saavedra, 13 Matías Garafulic, 14 Santiago Videla, 15 Iñaki Ayarza
Replacements: 16 Tomás Dussaillant, 17 Javier Carrasco, 18 Esteban Inostroza, 19 Santiago Pedrero, 20 Ignacio Silva, 21 Lukas Carvallo, 22 Pablo Casas, 23 Francisco Urroz
NAMIBIA
1 Desiderus Sethie, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 4 Adriaan Ludick, 5 Ruan Ludick, 6 Wian Conradie, 7 Max Katjijeko, 8 Richard Hardwick, 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 11 JC Greyling, 12 Danco Burger, 13 Johan Deysel (capt.), 14 Chad Plato, 15 Divan Roussouw
Replacements: 16 Lodewikus Jacobs, 17 Jason Benade, 18 Casper Viviers, 19 Tiaan de Klerk, 20 Johan Retief, 21 Prince !Gaoseb, 22 Jacques Theron, 23 Andre van der Berg
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023 WARM-UP
Date: Saturday, August 12
Kick-Off: 5pm (CL)
Venue: Estadio Elías Figueroa, Valparaíso (CL)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Matias Esteban (Uruguay); Francisco Gonzalez (Uruguay)
vs
HISTORIC RESULTS
N/A
