Nerves of Steel see Peñarol Survive Selknam in Chile

The match lived up to the billing as El Clásico. Only two points separated Selknam and Peñarol on Saturday afternoon. Played at the foot of the Andes, Peñarol needed nerves of steel to survive Selknam. The 25-23 win gives the Uruguayan side back-to-back wins in Super Rugby Americas 2024.

The opening ten minutes were ferocious. Both sides looked to attack and with it the defense was up to the challenge. Eventually Selknam got through with captain Clemente Saavedra breaking the defense to force a Peñarol infringement. Scrum-half Marcelo Torrealba opened the scoring with a penalty.

A second penalty followed. Torrealba again made no mistake to put Selknam 6-0 ahead. Peñarol were behind and being tested. They showed superb resolve to hold firm before hitting back five minutes before half-time. Rookie hooker Joaquin Myszka continued his wonderful start to professional rugby with his fourth try in three matches.

Juan Andrés Zuccarino converted for a 7-6 lead late in the opening half. He missed a penalty early in the second-half before Torrealba had his chance. The little general landed a penalty for a 9-7 lead after 43 minutes.

Zuccarino made up for the miss to restore Peñarol’s lead. Himself a former Selknam player, he cut through the defensive line to put Peñarol in a good position. From there the Uruguayans enjoyed a solid period of play and put the Chilean side under pressure. he forwards smashed up before winger Juan Bautista Hontou finished the job on the try zone.

Selknam recovered brilliantly to reclaim the lead and expand it. Victory looked to have been secured following two tries. Clemente Saavedra and replacement Salvador Lues both scored for a 23-20 lead.

However, with the match well past the 80 minute mark, Peñarol called upon nerves of steel to score from a lineout to maul. Myszka scored again as Peñarol celebrated the win. The hooker appeared to be unbound but referee Tomás Bertazza allowed the try to stand.

Next up for Peñarol is a home match against Yacare next Saturday. Selknam remain in Santiago to prepare to take on Los Pampas.

SCORING

SELKNAM (23)
Tries – C Saavedra (68′); S Lues (76′)
Con (2) – F Velarde (69′, 77′)
Pen (3) – M Torrealba (13′, 27′, 43′)
YC (1) – S Lues (81′)

PENAROL (25)
Tries (3) – J Myszka 2 (35′, 83′); JA Zuccarino (45′)
Con (2) – JA Zuccarino (36′); Í Amarillo (46′)
Pen (2) – JB Hontou (52′, 63′)
YC (1) – C Deus (67′)

LINEUPS

SELKNAM
1 Javier Carrasco, 2 Simón Donoso, 3 Iñaki Gurruchaga, 4 Santiago Pedrero, 5 Javier Eissmann, 6 Federico Albrisi, 7 Clemente Saavedra (capt.), 8 Raimundo Martínez, 9 Marcelo Torrealba, 10 Rafael Iriate, 11 José Larenas, 12 Martín Dumay, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 14 Franco Velarde, 15 Iñaki Delguy

Replacements: 16 Norman Aguayo, 17 Salvador Lues, 18 Ignacio González, 19 Augusto Sarmiento, 20 Santiago Edwards, 21 Iñaki Tuset, 22 Nicolás Saab, 23 Alfonso Escobar

PENAROL
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Joaquín Myszka, 3 Mathias Franco, 4 Juan Manuel Rodríguez, 5 Agustín Morales, 6 Santiago Civetta (capt.), 7 Lucas Bianchi, 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Santiago Álvarez, 10 Ícaro Amarillo, 11 Dante Soto, 12 Juan Andrés Zuccarino, 13 Juan Manuel Alonso, 14 Juan Bautista Hontou, 15 Gastón Mieres

Replacements: 16 Francisco García, 17 Mateo Perillo, 18 Duban Silveira, 19 Manuel Rosmarino, 20 Carlos Deus, 21 Pedro Hoblog, 22 Santiago Terra, 23 Joaquín Suárez

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, March 9
Venue: Estadio Municipal de La Pintana
Kickoff: 4:35pm (CL); 5:35pm (UY)
Weather Forecast: Sunny, 27°C; wind (10-13 km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN

OFFICIALS

Referee: Tomás Bertazza (AR)
Assistants: Juan Manuel Martínez; Frank Méndez
TMO: Ignacio Calle