Potent Pampas Prove too good for Raptors in Colorado

Los Pampas were convincing 47-14 winners over the American Raptors on Sunday. The afternoon triumph came before Los Dogos take-on Os Cobras in Córdoba. As a result, Los Pampas are temporarily five points out in front of the Super Rugby Americas 2024 standings.

A rapid-fire start had the Buenos Aires side leading 21-0 in the first quarter. Tries to backs Juan Pablo Castro, Jerónimo Ulloa and Justo Piccardo gave the visitors total control. The scores demonstrated patience, skills and execution. All three showed inventive play and punishing breaks from backs. Ulloa was involved in all three with scintillating lines and pace.

Former Puma Diego Fortuny hit-back for the Raptors. The hooker went low and stretched out to ground the ball inside the try zone. The 23rd minute try was the final score of the opening half.

Action returned in the third quarter. Replacement hooker Ignacio Bottazzini canceled out Fortuny’s try by scoring one for Los Pampas. With it came a 28-7 lead and the visitors had secured a bonus point.

A pick-and-go from Shawn Clark gave the Raptors their second try. The flanker went over from close range to cut the deficit to two tries. It was the final score of the afternoon for the Coloradans.

Los Pampas were not done, though. Joaquin De La Vega Mendia and Santiago Montagner added tries before another came in the final seconds.U lloa again split open the defense. A try was inevitable from his 50 meter run. He slowed as the final defender looked to cover him and this gave Ignacio Inchauspe the time to be on hand for a gift try.

Los Pampas fly home to Buenos Aires for a bye next weekend. The American Raptors welcome the out-of-sorts Peñarol. An upset win by the Raptors would see them move above the Uruguayans.

SCORING

AMERICAN RAPTORS (14)
Try (2) – D Fortuny (22′), S Clark (53′)
Con (2) – I Mieres (24′, 54′)

PAMPAS (47)
Try (7)- JP Castro (4′), J Ulloa (10′), J Piccardo (18′), I Bottazzini (43′), J de la Vega Mendía (57′), S Montagner (72′), I Inchauspe (80′)
Con (6) – J de la Vega Mendía (4′, 11′, 19′, 44′, 73′, 80′)

LINEUPS

AMERICAN RAPTORS
1 Ma’ake Muti, 2 Diego Fortuny (capt.), 3 Facundo Pomponio, 4 William Crawford, 5 Javon Camp-VIllalovos, 6 Shawn Clark, 7 Aidan Christians, 8 Diego Magno, 9 Devereaux Ferris, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 11 Francisco Quinn, 12 Watson Filikitonga, 13 Tomi Morani, 14 Jacob Hidalgo, 15 Rufus McLean

Replacements: 16 Jackson Zabierek, 17 Clay Markoff, 18 Koby Baker, 19 Tommy Clark, 20 Mo Vainikolo, 21 John LeFevre, 22 Aki Pulu, 23 Patrick Madden

PAMPAS
1 Javier Corvalán, 2 Ramiro Gurovich, 3 Javier Coronel, 4 Rodrigo Fernández Criado, 5 Eliseo Fourcade, 6 Manuel Bernstein (capt.), 7 Eliseo Chiavassa, 8 Tomás Bernasconi, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz, 10 Joaquín de la Vega Mendía, 11 Jerónimo Ulloa, 12 Justo Piccardo, 13 Juan Pablo Castro, 14 Santiago Pernas, 15 Marcos Eliçagaray

Replacements: 16 Ignacio Bottazzini, 17 Renzo Zanella, 18 Estanislao Carullo, 19 Mateo Lorenzo, 20 Santiago Montagner, 21 Ignacio Inchauspe, 22 Bruno Heit, 23 Bernabé López Fleming

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

OFFICIALS

Referee: Francisco González (UY)
Assistants: Simon Larrubia (AR); Will Nelson (US)
TMO: Chris O’Malley (US)