Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

UP

 

Canada, USA to play Scotland in June 2018
Canada and the USA have secured at least one Tier 1 test for 2018, with Scotland set to tour North America during the June test window. It’s particularly good news for Canada, who will not have a Tier 1 opponent during the June 2017 window with Ireland instead heading to Japan following their one-off match against the Eagles on June 10.

Brazil to Host Three June Internationals in 2017
Brazil is to face Belgium, Portugal and the Cook Islands in June 2017. The South Americans arrival as part of the global June Internationals is now complete. Americas Rugby News can confirm Brazil will host one test match against each opponent. Of them Os Tupis have only previously faced Portugal. The home series follows Brazil’s involvement in the 2016 November Internationals. Brazil played two tests away to Germany and one against Portugal. Americas Rugby News has also learned that Brazil will again tour Europe in 2017.

Patricio Fernández
Playing at fly half for Clermont, Fernández enjoyed another impressive outing. The youngster has proven to be an elite level performer. This weekend he scored 17 points, including a try against Stade Français. The Rosario play-maker has the quality and age to be an important Puma for Rugby World Cup 2019. For him to play in the tournament the UAR needs to ease their restrictions which block those playing in Europe from selection.

Facundo Isa
The No 8 from Santiago del Estero was named Argentine Player of the Year for 2016. He was awarded with the Olimpia de Plata award for his performances for Los Jaguares and Los Pumas. Numerous sites and publications named the player from Northern Argentina as the best No 8 in the world’s toughest annual competition. He was the top ball-carrier with 85 runs. In addition Facundo Isa was the leading forward in terms of both defenders beaten and meters gained.

The Saints – Jake Ilnicki and Juan Pablo Estelles
The Northampton Saints now have two players from the Americas. Canadian prop Jake Ilnicki debuted for the English club this past week. Puma Juan Pablo Estelles joined earlier in the season. On Friday he made his debut at senior level. His Aviva Premiership debut was memorable as the Saints outclassed the Sale Sharks on Friday.

Connor Braid
It was another first for the Canadian flyhalf as he made his own Aviva Premiership debut for Worcester against Bristol. Coming on early to replace the concussed Jamie Shillcock, Braid played reasonably well but it was not enough to lead the Warriors to victory over an inspired Bristol side at Ashton Gate. Worcester are now just two points head of Bristol with Braid set to play a key role in the race to avoid relegation. Sale are next up but with a stronger squad and an eight point lead should be relatively safe.

Greg Peterson
USA forward, Greg Peterson has signed a new two-year contract with Glasgow. The deal means the Eagles second-rower has secured his professional playing future at elite level until Rugby World Cup 2019. The 25-year old Peterson will remain playing in Scotland until at least May 2019. This is excellent news for the Eagles who want to win two pool matches for the first time at a Rugby World Cup.

Italian Pumas
It was a good weekend for Argentines playing in Italy’s Eccellenza. Some of the most talented Pumites graduates in recent years have been forced to look elsewhere with limited spaces available at Los Jaguares, and their impact has been especially significant in the Italian sunshine. Former Argentina XV standouts Brian Ormson and Juan Ignacio Brex were excellent for Viadana against Mogliano, while Juan León Novillo and Joaquín Paz played major roles in Calsivano’s routing of San Donà. A second Super Rugby franchise must be a priority for Los Pumas to entice more of their home-grown talent to stay in country.

UNDER

 

PRO Rugby
It has not been a week of highs for PRO Rugby. CEO Doug Schoninger made the extraordinary decision to inform all players league-wide that he is terminating their contracts effective 30 days from now. This led many to conclude that PRO Rugby had ended forever. Schoninger surprisingly took to the social media channels to tell us that, in fact, PRO was ‘not dead. We are more alive than ever.’ He spoke in depth with Americas Rugby News to outline his concerns.

Pablo Huete
Chile’s Highest-profile player, Pablo Huete was handed a four week suspension by the LNR.The second-rower was cited by the Disciplinary Committee of the LNR for foul play against Stade Français in a Top 14 match. In having been found guilty the South American has been suspended until January 23. The suspension comes as a double blow for Bayonne. The Basque club has also lost Grégory Arganese for three weeks.

Felipe Berchesi
Uruguayan fly half Felipe Berchesi is sidelined with a broken arm. The Uruguayan goal kicker will spend several weeks on the sidelines with a return unlikely before late February. It’s a blow for Berchesi, who has been one of Carcassonne’s best players since joining the club from Chambéry ahead of the 2015-16 season. In 31 games for the club he has scored 146 points in 31 games, all from the boot. This all but confirms his non-availability for the Americas Rugby Championship, unlikely as it was.

Greg Peters
General Manager Greg Peters has stepped down from the UAR. Argentina’s national governing body confirmed that the New Zealander is returning home with immediate effect. Peters will remain connected to the UAR’s dealings with SANZAAR and the Américas Rugby Championship and will manage some individual international commercial subject matters.

Argentine Player Management
Despite utilizing 41 players in Super Rugby there were too many appearances in Los Jaguares colors by a number of players. The same is true of Los Pumas in 2017. Playing too much rugby impacted on the results of Argentina and has contributed to their World Ranking. Better management for 2017 is an absolute must. Balance is required in Super Rugby to have players peaking for international duty.