Up and Under

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

Advantage Eagles Before Taking to the Field
Canada’s home defeat against Japan was a record loss. It was also Canada’s one shot at winning at home; the remaining Canadian PNC fixtures are on the road. The first of which is away to the USA Eagles in Carlson, California this coming Saturday. The Eagles have the balance genuinely tilted in their favor. A win wold ensure the USA Eagles are above Canada in the standings with a game in hand.

Straight In to the Thick of the Action in Mission: Japan
Loosehead prop Cali Martinez was named for his first test start for Canada. In addition, Izzak Kelly made his first appearance of 2024 for Canada; doing so, after missing out in July. Kaden Duguid earned his first test cap. Kaden Duiguid’s brother plays in the Top 14 and his sister Abby plays for Loughborough Lightning in England.

González and Moneta Help Bordeaux to Sevens Double
Bordeaux completed back-to-back tournaments wins in France’s Supersevens series. Argentines Luciano González and Marcos Moneta were in the thick of the action for the victorious side in La Rochelle. Bordeaux were 19-12 winners over Monaco in the final.

Argentina Makes Changes to Roster for Home Series vs Australia
Wingers Ignacio Mendy and Rodrigo Isgró are in. Mendy scored a hat-trick against Uruguay in July while Isgró played at the Olympic Games. Guido Petti, Santiago Grondona, and Justo Piccardo are also included. Petti last played for Los Pumas at the World Cup. Grondona was injured in the final warm-up match before the tournament. Piccardo is uncapped but trained with the roster in July. Pumitas second-rower Luciano Asevedo is also on the roster as an invitational player.

Pedro Delgado goes from Dogos to Pumas
Lucio Sordoni has made himself unavailable to face Australia. His decision, for personal reasons, sen uncapped Pedro Delgado named as his replacement. Delgado joins Eduardo Bello and Joel Sclavi as the tight head options. Delgado played for Dogos with Franco Molina and Efraín Elías who are both rookie Pumas. Of note, is Francisco Coria Marchetti debuted, as a replacement, against Uruguay in July.

Contepomi Ends the Alemanno-Lavanini-Petti Domination
For years on end Argentina’s second-row was Matías Alemanno, Tomás Lavanini and Guido Petti. They were the starters and replacement second-rowers. This is no longer so as Felipe Contepomi is giving second-rowers opportunities. Nine players thus far. Five have started for Argentina under Contepomi in the five tests thus far: Alemanno, Paulos, Molina, Rubiolo, Kremer. Plus, Elías and Lavanini have been used as replacements. Petti and the uncapped Luciano Acevedo are now on the roster.

Horrific Canadian Start Again Japan
Canada’s return to the Pacific Nations Cup was unsuccessful as Japan were comfortable 55-28 winners in Vancouver on Sunday. A dreadful start for the Maple Leafs saw them conceding 38 unanswered points in 30 minutes, though some credibility some credibility was restored with three second half tries. The Maple Leafs will now travel south to Los Angeles where they will meet the USA next Saturday. A victory will be needed if Canada are to have a shot at a place in the Semi Finals.

No Americas Referees Appointed Matches in 2024 Pacific Nations Cup
None of the Pacific Nations Cup matches will be referred by Americas officials. World Rugby has appointed referees from Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. The appointments were made with an eye to Rugby World Cup 2027. World Rugby is preparing referees for the next Rugby World Cup. Those being allocated matches now are in frame for the tournament in three years time in Australia. This is a continuation of the long-standing policy of World Rugby to push referees from a limited number of countries.

Out of Australian Series
Veteran Matías Moroni is out of the Australian series though injury. He started on the right wing against the All Blacks in both matches in New Zealand. Fellow outside back Martín Bogado toured but did not play. He is also out. Efraín Elías debuted in the win in Wellington but is not on the roster to take-on Australia. His non-selection comes with him joining Toulouse. Lucio Sordoni pulled-out for personal reasons.

World Cup Pumas Missing in Action
Argentina’s roster to face the Wallabies is the third for international duty under Felipe Contepomi. It is th first for Santiago Grondona and Guido Petti but there is still no Rodrigo Bruni, Francisco Gómez Kodela, Facundo Isa, Nicolás Sánchez or Tomás Cubelli. Isa is sitting out the year while the others are all technically available for selection.

Tyler Duguid Remains Uncapped for Canada
Sunday’s test match between Canada and Japan saw a test debut for Kaden Duiguid. He is one year older than his uncapped brother,  Tyler Duguid. The younger of the brothers plays professional rugby for Montpellier in France. He and Tyler Ardron are highly notable missing names for Canada. Will Tyler Duguid be involved for Canada’s qualifiers and; indeed, play at Rugby World Cup 2027?

Agustín Ormaechea Out of Action
Uruguayan scrum-half Agustín Ormaechea has ended his time with Stade Nicois in France. For the time being he remains in Nice but is not attached to another club. Ormaechea is now based in Nice with his wife and has started a company there with a friend. He missed out on representing Uruguay in the July Internationals. Will the veteran of three World Cups be able to play for Uruguay again?