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Esteban Meneses helped take Uruguay to the next level. Under Meneses, Uruguay enjoyed a rise in performances which brought on-field results and off-field recognition. The Argentine steps down after being Head Coach of Los Teros since December 2015.
Los Teros reached new heights under Meneses. Uruguay overtook both Canada and the USA to officially become the second best rugby test team in the Americas. This was on display in Rugby World Cup Qualifiers and also in World Cups. Uruguay won matches at Japan 2019 and France 2023.
The Meneses years were transformational. Uruguay debuted at Rugby World Cup 1999 and qualified again in 2003. Los Teros then missed out on Rugby World Cups 2007 and 2011 before returning for the 2015 World Cup. The 2011 qualifying experience was rock-bottom as Uruguay were heavily outmatched by Romania in repechage.
Uruguay’s road to recovery started in the aftermath of missing out on qualifying for New Zealand 2011. The URU concluded that Uruguay’s chances of playing in another World Cup were very low. Structural changes were needed. Investments were needed. A larger player base was needed.
The pieces began coming together during the Rugby World Cup 2011-2015 cycle. World Rugby funding and government funding were vital. The facilities of the Estadio Charrúa became the home of Uruguayan Rugby. This was revolutionary; it was the start of what would lift Los Teros’ player levels.
As was the case in the 2007 and 2011 campaigns, Uruguay fell short against the USA in the South American vs North American qualifiers. Ultimately, Los Teros entered repechage and secured a place in the final against Russia. Uruguay defeated the Rugby World Cup 2011 debutants to qualify for the 2015 tournament.
Uruguayan qualification marked a cause for celebration and also for concern. It was the Pool of Death. Matches were against Australia, Fiji as well as against England in Manchester and Wales in Cardiff. The URU stepped-up to ensure the players had superior preparation. However, getting them ready required taking time off work, which for some was unpaid.
The final months before England 2015 saw the Estadio Charrúa begin what it was to become – Uruguay’s High Performance Rugby Center. The changes during the Rugby World Cup 2015 to 2019 cycle were simple yet far-reaching. Uruguay’s players now had access to that which would elevate them to the unthinkable heights of defeating Fiji at Rugby World Cup 2019.
Uruguay gave South America two teams at the World Cup again. In search of a sustainable pathway the URU, Agustín Pichot and Sudamérica Rugby were leading figures in finding new ways for progress. The Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) was born and the then Pumas Coach, Daniel Hourcade, recommended Esteban Meneses for the top coaching job in Uruguay.
The High Performance Center and Meneses combined to see Uruguay rise from being a repechage qualifier to qualifying ahead of a North American side for Japan 2019 and then as the Americas 1 qualifier for France 2023.
Uruguay’s absence from Rugby World Cup 2011 coincided with Canada being ranked 11th in the world. Canada defeated Tonga and was left very unhappy with a draw against Japan in that year’s World Cup. However, Uruguay went to Vancouver and came away with a 38-29 victory in 2018. Los Teros then won at home to qualify as Americas 2 and send Canada to repechage.
The ARC did not continue in the Rugby World Cup 2019-2023 cycle. The competition had provided very important matches for Los Teros and directly aided the team’s qualification opportunities. No ARC left a sour taste across the Americas; yet, Uruguay’s progress continued under Meneses.
Uruguay again won the South American qualifiers to this time face the USA for the Americas 1 spot. Los Teros made another step-forward by qualifying for France 2023 as the top Americas Qualifier. Uruguay competed well in three of the four matches at the tournament. Winning a very good game against Namibia followed Uruguay’s solid performance against France and what was considered a disappointing ending against Italy after Uruguay led the Italians at half-time.
The Meneses era concluded with Uruguay officially second in the Americas to Argentina. The new coaching regime will not be confirmed until 2024. It will take control of Uruguay who are in a Silver Era, that being that Los Teros have climbed up the Americas hierarchy above Canada and the USA.
The next coaching regime will take-over at a time in which Los Teros are ready for new challenges and challengers. Tier 1 opportunities are the next frontier. While the URU attempt to secure such fixtures, the new coaches will be in charge of a team that will not be taken lightly in the Americas’ qualifiers for Australia 2027.
