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Two Uruguayan backs did more than just win against Namibia in Lyon. Baltazar Amaya and Felipe Berchesi set records. Amaya scored two tries in the match to take his World Cup try total to three. Berchesi landed extended his own record as Uruguay’s all-time leading point scorer in Rugby World Cups and for Uruguay overall.
Amaya scored in the 19th minute and again in the 49th for Uruguay. His first saw him running a line outside Felipe Etcheverry to score to the right of the posts. His second saw him again combining with Etcheverry but this time diving, while Damian Stevens looked to tackle him, and dotting the ball down beside the right corner post.
Berchesi was a second-half replacement against the Welwitschias. He replaced Etcheverry for the final quarter. In his 20 minutes of game-time, Berchesi provided a try assist for Bautista Basso, converted the try and landed a penalty.
Rugby World Cup 2023 is the tenth overall and the fifth involving Uruguay. Los Teros debuted in Scotland in Rugby World Cup 1999. Namibia debuted in France in the same tournament and have played in every World Cup since but are winless.
In scoring five points against Namibia in Lyon, Berchesi takes his scoring total up to 50 points at Rugby World Cups. They are have come at Rugby World Cups 2015, 2019 and 2023. All of Amaya’s tries have come at Rugby World Cup 2023.
Berchesi scored 9 points in his first World Cup appearance. It was against Wales in Cardiff, Wales in 2015. He scored 3 against Australia in Birmingham and 3 against England in Manchester.
In his second Rugby World Cup Berchesi started by scoring 15 against Fiji in Kamaishi. He scored 2 against Georgia next up in Kumagaya, 5 against Australia in Oita and 8 against Wales in Kumamoto. In scoring five points against Namibia in Lyon at Rugby World Cup 2023, Berchesi took his total to 50 points.
Amaya is the overall leader with three tries. Six other Teros have two Rugby World Cup tries. Alfonso Cardoso scored against Spain in 1999 and Georgia in 2003. Pablo Lemoine scored again England and Samoa in 2003. Lemoine coached Uruguay at Rugby World Cup 2015 and Chile at Rugby World Cup 2023.
Four others have two tries each and all are on the current roster. N8 Manuel Diana scored against Fiji and Australia in 2019. Hooker Germán Kessler scored against Wales in 2019 and Namibia in 2023. Scrum-half Santiago Arata scored against Fiji in 2019 and Namibia in 2023. Winger Nicolás Freitas, who played against Namibia with a broken nose, scored against France and Italy in 2023.
