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It is official: Nicolás Freitas suffered a broken nose playing for Uruguay against Italy on Wednesday. Los Teros were 17-7 half-time leaders before falling to a 38-17 defeat. Freitas scored the first of two tries for the South Americans in the match.
Before scoring the try, Freitas had taken a knock. Italian flanker Sebastian Negri was yellow carded for making arm to head contact while attempting a clearance at a ruck. The contact saw Negri banging Freitas and the Uruguayan winger went down hurt.
Determined to play on, Freitas remained until deep into the second half. He was replaced in the 67th minute. The diagnosis of his injury meant that he was able to do so and remains on the roster and in frame to continue playing for his country.
Uruguay’s two remaining matches are against Namibia and New Zealand. The first of the two is Los Teros pivotal match. That is to say, Uruguay must win against the Africans. Namibia fielded an understrength side against France on Thursday, losing 96-0. A much stronger side will face the South Americans.
If Freitas is able to withstand the pain then he will be cleared free to be considered to face Namibia in Lyon. The Wednesday, September 17 match will be followed by Uruguay facing the All Blacks on Thursday, October 05, also in Lyon.
Uruguay will do everything to see that their winger is able to play; indeed, Freitas scored tries against both France and Italy.
Freitas and Bautista Basso were the starting wingers against France. Gastón Mieres joined Freitas against Italy. Juan Manuel Alonso, Ignacio Facciolo and veteran Rodrigo Silva are outside backs who are yet to receive game time in the World Cup.
Uruguay fielded an understrength line-up against Namibia in August. The formation for the Rugby World Cup warm-up match saw Ignacio Facciolo, and Bautista Basso on the wings and Rodrigo Silva at fullback. Among the backs were Juan Andrés Zuccarino, Juan Tafernaberry, Ignacio Álvarez, and Diego Ardao, none of whom made the World Cup roster.
Los Teros were 26-18 winners over Namibia in the August fixture. Flanker Eric Dosantos and center Felipe Arcos Pérez started in that match but are yet to play in the World Cup. In addition, Diego Arbelo, Lucas Bianchi, Carlos Deus, Ignacio Dotti, Agustín Ormaechea, and Reinaldo Piussi are all chasing their first starts of the tournament.
