Up and Under

Up and Under is an exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It identifies the tops and the flops from the past seven days of everything involving Americas Rugby.

 

UP

Powerful First Half Proves Sufficient for Chile in Win over Hong Kong
In their first match since their debut Rugby World Cup tournament, Los Cóndores got the win against Hong Kong. Chile ran out 22-17 winners over Hong Kong. It could hav e been by a lot more as Chile are 22-03 ahead at half-time. Pablo Lemoine experimented in the match as Iñaki Ayarza, Matías Dittus, and Rodrigo Fernández were rested and captain Martín Sigren was a replacement.

Magnificent Argentina Muscle Past South Africa in u20 World Championship
A magnificent performance from Argentina saw Los Pumitas outperforming the Junior Springboks at their own game. Played at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, Argentina outmuscled South Africa in a dominant display on Thursday. The 31-12 win was Argentina’s third over South Africa at u20 level.

Uruguay Start U20 Trophy Well Against Kenya
Uruguay enjoyed a good start to their World Rugby u20 Trophy campaign. The South Americans were 25-7 winners over Kenya at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Tuesday. It was a convincing win by you tries to one. Los Teritos now turn their attention to North America; Uruguay face the USA on Saturday.

USA u20 Claim Double with wins over Netherlands and Uruguay
Four tries from winger Keelan Farrell inspired the USA to a 44-33 victory over the Netherlands in the opening round of the World Rugby u20 Trophy on Tuesday. Then on Sunday, the USA ran out 32-15 winners over Uruguay. Pool play will come to a conclusion on Friday when the USA takes on Kenya, with a victory ensuring their place opposite the winner Scotland’s game against Japan.

Legend Back for Brazil
One of the greats of Brazil’s golden era is back. Moíses Duque is home from playing in Portugal and on the roster. The veteran of 61 caps has priceless experience. His return is a massive lift for the team with Rugby World Cup Qualifiers just around the corner. Duque had an excellent season in Portugal. He scored 164 points to be the 6th best scorer overall for the season. He plays his rugby for Académica Coimbra. The team finished the season in 7th.

Four Americas Countries Added to Australia 2027 Qualifying
Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifiers are fast approaching in South America. The first round will see four teams competing in what are to be Semi Finals. They will be divided into two with Colombia vs Costa Rica in one bracket and Peru vs Venezuela in the other. The inclusion of these four is important for all individually and for the region as a whole. Crucially, the qualifiers will have a clear tier structure with a pathway from one stage to the next.

Uruguay New Names and Revived Opportunities
Nicolás Freitas underwent surgery following Rugby World Cup 2023. He is back as is the most capped Tero in history, Diego Magno. New names join them from Peñarol: hooker Joaquín Myszka, second-rower Agustín Morales, back-rower Manuel Rosmarino, inside center Joaquín Suárez and fullback Juan Bautista Hontou will all have the opportunity to earn their first test caps for Uruguay.

 

UNDER

Inaccurate Eagles come up short against Romania
Poor execution at key moments cost the USA dearly as they fell 22-20 to Romania in Chicago on Friday night. The Eagles looked comfortable at times and sloppy at others, and in the end the failure to take advantage of scoring opportunities gave the Oaks a hard-earned though unconvincing victory. Next Friday will see the USA hosting Scotland at Audi Field in the nation’s capital. Romania will head north to play Canada at TD Place in Ottawa.

Argentina Fall Well Short in Mendoza
Lo Pumas were 28-13 losers against France on Saturday. Les Blues field a new-look side; yet, were the better team on the day and deserved the win. Felipe Contepomi’s team made handling areas at key moments. This cost them potential points and enabled France to add to their tally. A significant improvement is needed before the rematch in Buenos Aires.

Canada Put to the Sword by Second-Sting Scotland
A Scotland team comprised largely of second and third-choice players put Canada to the sword by a score of 73-12 in Ottawa on Saturday. Gregor Townsend took the opportunity to award 10 new caps and the youngsters delivered 11 tries against the outclassed Maple Leafs. The Canadians at least had strong local support with over 11,000 in attendance, and their energy was rewarded with the first try of the game.

Gonzalo Quesada’s Italy Flop in Apia
Former Puma Gonzalo Quesada coached Italy to an historic two wins and a draw in the 2024 Six Nations. However, the honeymoon is over. A reality check saw Italy flop to a 33-25 loss against Samoa in Apia on Friday. The loss included blowing a 25-15 second-half lead. Italy face Tonga next in Nuku’alofa next followed by Japan in Tokyo. Suddenly, the goals are from an unbeaten tour to damage control.

South American Qualifying Pathway for Rugby World Cup 2027
World Rugby has let down Sudamerica Rugby. Three South American countries competed at Rugby World Cup 2023 while Asia had one participant and North America zero. The changes decided upon by World Rugby do not allocate places for Australia 2027 in a manner representative of such competitiveness. The Rugby World Cup 2027 pathway sees South American teams handed an unjustifiably harder route. Is there a sporting explanation or is this poor management; or worse, is this revenge from Chairman Bill Beaumont?

Uruguayan Fly Half Options
Felipe Berchesi was a constant for Uruguay from 2011-2023. Now is focusing on his post-rugby career. Juan Andrés Zuccarino has been groomed as the replacement for Berchesi. He was Peñarol’s regular starting fly half this year. He suffered a season-ending injury and may not play for Uruguay this year at all. Ícaro Amarilla started the three regular season places in his place as well as the Semi Final. He is with Los Teritos at the World Rugby Junior Trophy in Scotland. This has sen amateur players Matías D’Avanzo called-up to the roster to face France. Felipe Etcheverry will start.

Knee injury ends season for Canada star Sophie de Goede
Sophie de Goede will play no part in the upcoming Paris Olympics after suffering a knee injury in training. It is a particularly cruel blow with the tournament set to be hosted in Canada. de Goede had been in sparkling form this year, earning selection to the Women’s Premiership’s Team of the Season for her outstanding performances with Saracens. She led Canada to an historic first-ever win over World Cup champions New Zealand in May.