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.

Chile Defeat Paraguay in Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifier
The wonderful backdrop of the Andes were in full view as Chile got their Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifying campaign off to a magnificent start. Playing in their alternate colors of blue, Los Cóndores were 64-0 winners of Paraguay.

Colombia Advance in Rugby World Cup Qualifying
Colombia played good rugby on Sunday. Los Tucanes were 50-5 winners over Venezuela in a Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifier in Medellín. The fixture was last of four Rugby World Cup Qualifiers in Colombia. Victory to the home side sees Colombia advancing to face Paraguay in the next round of South American Rugby World Cup Qualifiers for Australia 2027.

Rampant Canada Down France in Vancouver
Canada had an excellent start to the WXV. Playing at home, the Canadians were 46-24 winners over France in Vancouver. The win took Canada above New Zealand in the Women’s World Rankings. Canada are the highest ranked America competes in either Women’s or Men’s with a ranking of 2nd in the world.

Puerto Rico Topple British Virgin Islands
The battle of the Islands was won by Puerto Rico. Played on Saturday at the Polideportivo Rebekah Colberg in the capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico came out on top against the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Puerto Rico were 51-27 winners in a test match.

Peru Deliver Against Costa Rica
Peru delivered on Sunday in Medellín, Colombia. Los Tumis scored all of the points in their Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifier against Costa Rica. The 44-0 result means Peru claim Bronze in the four team tournament while Costa Rica finish bottom. Los Tumis fell 27-15 to Venezuela in their earlier Rugby World Cup 2027 qualifier in Medellín.

Argentines Help Zebre Upset Munster
Zebre Parma upset Munster this pat weekend. The 42-33 result will certainly go down a on of the least expected results of the United Rugby Championship (URC) season. Gerónimo Prisciantelli, Patricio Baronio and Juan Pitinari all played for Zebre. Prisciantelli was a try-scorer. Baronio is a former Selknam scrum-half.

Argentina Won the Battle but Lost the War against South Africa
South Africa recovered from losing the battle of Santiago del Estero to win the war against Argentina. The Springboks defeated Los Pumas 48-07 in Nelspruit to secure the 2024 Rugby Championship. What had been a lot closer became a blow-out scoreline in the final 12 minutes with Argentina down to 13 men.

England sails past USA in WXV opener
England had no trouble extending their winning streak to 18 games as they sailed past the USA by a final score of 61-21 in the WXV opener in Vancouver on Sunday. The Eagles stayed within a respectable margin until the final quarter, when the Red Roses piled on 28 unanswered points to close out the match.

Costa Rica Hammered in Record Defeat
Records came tumbling down in Medellín, Colombia on Wednesday. Los Tucanes defeated Costa Rica by a record scoreline. The match was a Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifier. The 136-0 victory sees Colombia through to the tournament final against Venezuela on Sunday while Costa Rica will face Peru.

Mixed Bag for Venezuela and Peru
Venezuela defeated Peru in a Rugby World Cup Qualifier on Wednesday. Played in Medellín, Colombia, Las Orquídeas were 27-15 winners over Los Tumis. From there Las Orquídeas advanced to the final to face Colombia on Sunday. Colombia were comfortable winners. Meanwhile, Peru rebounded to see-off Costa Rica.

Low End to a Brilliant Rugby Championship
Los Pumas defeated all opponents in the Rugby Championship and also in July. Attention now turns to November. Felipe Contepomi’s staff and players will reunite on October 28-30 in Paris, France for a training camp. Questions remain over a number of players. For instance, will Santiago Chocobares be deemed fit? Will Pablo Matera, who was red carded, be able to play? Will Rodrigo Isgró be selected considering he was replaced in the first-half? Which new or returning players will be called up?