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.

 

UP

Argentina Break Records in handing Australia their all-time biggest defeat
Argentina produced a record breaking performance against Australia on Saturday. Played at the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López in Santa Fé, Los Pumas were 67-27 winners over the Wallabies. The result is Australia’s worst ever defeat, overtaking the 61-22 loss against South Africa in 1997. Felipe Contepomi’s men ran in nine tries with Joaquín Oviedo and Juan Cruz Mallía both scoring doubles. In his first start at fly half vs a Tier 1 opponent, Tomás Albornoz scored 16 points.

Julián Montoya Reaches 100 Test Caps
Los Pumas captain Julián Montoya is Argentina’s fourth player to reach 100 test caps. He celebrated his 100th cap for his country with a try in the record-breaking win over Australia on Saturday. Fellow Pumas centurion, Pablo Matera was also a try scorer. Montoya is the 4th Puma got 100 following Nicolás Sánchez and the now retired Agustín Creevy.

Juan Martín González has a Five Match Try-Scoring Streak vs Australia
Juan Martín González scored the third try for Los Pumas in their record-breaking 67-27 win over the Wallabies on Saturday. This saw the back-rower from Mendoza scoring for a fifth consecutive time for Argentina in a test match against Australia. The try-scoring streak stated in his home town in 2022. His tries have come in a variety of ways: maul, pick-and-go, providing a support line and running in from outside the 22.

Argentina XV Down Brazil in Entertaining Battle
The Argentina XV were 64-29 winners over Brazil  on Sunday. The Argentina XV featured Super Rugby Americas players from both Los Pampas and Los Dogos as well as Pumitas. The combination proved to be successful as the team won by an impressive scoreline. Santiago Pernas continues to look like a Puma in waiting; he scored a hat-trick with slick footwork, pace and finishing.

Top 14 Season Underway
Jerónimo de la Fuente captained Perpignan to a 21-19 road loss to Bayonne. Facundo Bosch and Lucas Paulos started for Bayonne. Benjamín Urdapilleta scored 18 points for Clermont who hammered Pau. Ignacio Calles started for Pau. Canadian Tyler Ardron scored for Castres while Tyler Duguid started for Montpellier who fell to Lyon. Francisco Gorrissen captained Vannes in their Top 14 debut.

Americas busy in the French Pro D2
Joaquín de la Vega Mendía kicked 18 points for Colomiers. Rookie Puma Francisco Coria Marchetti was a replacement for Brive. Former Puma Lucas Mensa scored for Oyonnax. 2024 Puma Martín Bogado was a replacement. Former Pumas loose head Facundo Gigena helped Nice upset Agen who with former Puma Santiago Socino playing hooker and Canadian Evan Olmstead playing lock. Facundo Pomponio’s Montauban defeated Patricio Fernández’s Mont de Marsan. Bautista Ezcurra’s Grenoble defeated Provence who featured Argentine Nicolás Toth and Colombian Andrés Zafra.

Three Pumas Secure Contracts in Europe
Early last week the now former Los Pumas 7’s star Rodrigo Isgró signed to play in England for Harlequins. Several days later Puma second-rower Franco Molina signed for the Exeter Chiefs. This was by a mother signing with former Pumas right head prop Enrique Pieretto completing his move to France. Enrique Pieretto signed for Provence as a Medical Joker.

 

UNDER

USA compete but Japan a step ahead in Kumagaya
Japan made the most of their opportunities to secure a 41-24 victory over a game but ultimately outmatched USA side in Kumagaya on Saturday. The result gives the Brave Blossoms top spot in the pool as the two sides now move on to the knockout stage of the Pacific Nations Cup. Samoa are up next weekend for the Brave Blossoms, with the Eagles to take on Fiji.

Brazil Fall Down but the Pressure is on Paraguay
Brazil were well-beaten by the Argentina XV on Sunday but there is plenty of reason for optimism. Brazil scored some good tries and had a competitive maul. Brazilian attention is now on Chile as are Paraguayan eyes. Chile host Paraguay in a Rugby World Cup Qualifier on September 28. Before then, Medellín will see Colombia vs Costa Rica and Venezuela vs Peru on September 25.

No Rugby Championship in 2026, 2028 or 2030
The annual Rugby Championship tournament is no more. A semi-breakaway move from New Zealand and South Africa has taken place. The bilateral arrangement between the two means the Rugby Championship will not be held in 2026, 2028, or 2030. Instead, there will be extended tours. Argentina and Australia have options to pursue though the move from is anti-sporting and is another instance of the sport’s traditional powers again only looking out for themselves.

Wallabies Humiliated in Santa Fe
Australia have never conceded so many points in a rugby test match. The total of 67 points need a long-time record of 61 which South Africa cored in 1997. While the Santa Fe result was humiliating for the Wallabies and Australian rugby, there ought to be caution against assuming the worst; indeed, Australia won the World Cup in 1999. The short truth is the 2024 Pumas are very good and rain heavily affected the result in game one in La Plata.

Tomás Cubelli Forced Out
Argentina’s preparations to face Australia in Santa Fe saw Tomás Cubelli recalled. However, he was ruled out with a muscle strain. His place on the roster went to Eliseo Morales. The after Cubelli joined the roster in place of Lautaro Bazán Vélez. The change came after Bazán Vélez was forced out of the Rugby Championship match in La Plata. The scrum-half from Córdoba was replaced by Gonzalo García as Argentina’s replacement against Australia in both La Plata and Santa Fe.