Up and Under

Up and Under is an Americas Rugby News exclusive. It identifies the best and the worst involving the Americas from the past seven days.

UP

Esteban Meneses, Uruguay and the Silver era
The Meneses years were transformational. 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.

Brazil Start by Recording Historic Win Over Portugal
Brazil made history on Tuesday. As Yaras recorded a historic win over Portugal. Brazil were 10-07 at SESI Guarulhos in Greater São Paulo. The match marked the beginning of international Women’s competition between Brazil and Portugal. The match was also the first time in which As Yaras took to the field against a European opponent in fifteen years. The previous time was in 2008 against the Netherlands.

Puma Power to Drive Peñarol
Leonardo Senatore is the new Head Coach of Peñarol. The Argentine will be in charge of Uruguay’s professional rugby team in Super Rugby Americas 2024. Senatore replaces fellow Argentine Pablo Bouza who is now the Head Coach of Spain. The appointment of Senatore represents freshness; he has not previously coached a team at this level. His resumé was impressive as a professional rugby player. Two World Cups and playing English Premiership, Top 14 and Super Rugby.

Pumas On Fire in European Elite Leagues
It was another strong weekend for Argentines in the European elite. In the English Premiership Pumas captain Julián Montoya scored for Leicester Tigers and Matías Moroni did so for the Newcastle Falcons. Ignacio Mendy scored for Benetton who upset Edinburgh away in the United Rugby Championship. Santiago Chocobares, Facundo Bosch and Juan Imhoff scored tries for Toulouse, Bayonne and Racing 92 in the Top 14. In addition, Jerónimo de la Fuente signed a new long-term deal with Perpignan and Domingo Miotti had two try assists for Oyonnax.

Uncapped Argentine Makes Top 14 Debut
Martín Villar made his debut for Bayonne on Saturday at the age of 21. The uncapped Argentine prop did so against Lyon. Villar joined Argentines Facundo Bosch, Rodrigo Bruni and Lucas Paulos while Uruguayan Manuel Leindekar also played for Bayonne. Villar joined Bayonne after playing for Los Pampas in Super Rugby Americas and Los Jaguares XV in Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR).

Unfinished Business for Dallas and Cubilla
Argentina XV captain Tomás Cubilla has unfinished business in Major League Rugby. The 25-year-old center will return for the Jackals next season after arriving late in the 2023 campaign. Cubilla may renew his partnership with Tomás Malanos, who was re-signed by the club in August. Malanos started every game for Dallas at No13 in 2023 but could also find himself on the wing with the arrival of another Argentine center in Manuel Covella.

Seattle Seawolves Spring Surprise Recruitment
Seattle have pulled off a surprise trade with San Diego, acquiring 1st round draft pick Tyren Al-Jiboori in exchange for cash considerations. The Lindenwood and USA u23 select adds depth to the Seawolves wing stocks, which now boast new signings Toni Pulu and Jade Stighling, Eagles stepper Lauina Futi, and speedster Jeremiah Sio. It’s uncertain what this means for Conner Mooneyham, who had major surgery on his knee in July.

Season Winds Down with Eyes on 2024
The arrival of winter in North America and summer in South America brings with it an eye to the new year and professional opportunities for many. With club operations having concluded this saw a regime in South America this past week. Players featured in Super Rugby Americas Future as a way of seeking opportunities in the league for 2024.

 

UNDER

Brazil End Series on a Sour Note
Yes, Brazil’s Women’s team make both Up and Under on the same week. Portugal gained revenge on Brazil on Saturday. Having fallen to As Yaras in the first test match, the Portuguese responded by winning 13-5 in Greater São Paulo. he match concludes the two match series with the teams each winning one match.

British & Irish Lions Not interested in Innovation in Las Vegas
The attempt to allure the British & Irish Lions to Las Vegas has come and gone. The combined side of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will tour Australia in 2025. It was hoped that a USA side would be able to feature by playing as the home team against the touring Lions in Las Vegas, Nevada. It could have been a test match or a USA Barbarians side. Either way. the match will not be taking place after the British & Irish Lions said no. Rugby and innovation clash yet again.

Yet to Play
Injury hangovers from Rugby World Cup 2023 mean some players are yet to play this season. Guido Petti returned for Bordeaux this past weekend while teammate Tomás Lavanini is yet to do so. The wait also continues on others such as Juan Cruz Mallía and Emiliano Boffelli. Meanwhile, there is interest from clubs for Lavanini to make the switch next season from Clermont.

Montpellier Mayhem
Montpellier rugby is in crisis. This has seen a new coach with and off-field staff changes including that of Bernard Laporte. This affects Americas players with Canadian Tyler Duguid and American, now captured by Samoa, Titi Lamositele both at the club and Montpellier also looking to recruit Argentines. An appalling start to the season sees Montpellier firmly in the relegation zone.

Lost in the $huffle
Bill Beaumont’s leadership of World Rugby has been appalling. The shocking extent of how much the wider global game has shrunken and deteriorated after the pandemic was revealed this past week. 44 of the 112 teams played 2 or fewer tests over the entire four year cycle. 24 were totally inactive. Consider Mexico; a team that improved notably in the 2010s from 75th to the mid 40s. Since 2019 their schedule has been just two tests vs Cayman Islands.