Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Round One went fairly well with five of our pundits getting all three winners correctly. Only one – Jake Frechette – managed to pluck a dead-accurate score of any match with his USA +6 prediction proving spot-on. Once again we have 10 of the greatest minds from American rugby set to choose their favorites. Ted Hardy is off on a Six Nations adventure but we celebrate the return of Derek Sagehorn this week, and not just to make up the numbers to be fair!
Representing the USA are:
Curtis Reed, commandant and supreme leader of This Is American Rugby;
Dan Mason, Rugby Global farmer for Rugby United;
Derek Sagehorn, the sage one himself from This Is American Rugby;
Doug Coil, American Rugby wrangler at DJ Coil Rugby among others;
Jake Frechette, evil genius from Rugby Today;
and Junoir Blaber, the irrepressible guru of Rugby Wrap Up fame.
From the paradise that is South America:
Ignacio Chans, the Uruguayan wonder from El Observador;
Paul Tait, protector of the realm and keeper of the peace;
and Victor Ramalho, mastermind and reportedly important person at Brazil’s Portal do Rugby.
And from the icy north in remote Canada:
Bryan Ray, self-proclaimed minister of discretionary predictions (or is that predilections?).
Back to it!
| February 11, 2017 |
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| Bryan Ray Americas Rugby News |
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| Curtis Reed This Is American Rugby |
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| Dan Mason Rugby United |
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| Derek Sagehorn This Is American Rugby |
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| Doug Coil DJ Coil Rugby |
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| Ignacio Chans El Observador |
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| Jake Frechette Rugby Today |
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| Junior Blaber Rugby Wrap Up |
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| Paul Tait Americas Rugby News |
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| Victor Ramalho Portal do Rugby |
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ARGENTINA XV (9) vs URUGUAY (21)
Saturday, February 11, 19:00 Argentina, Estadio El Fortín, Bahía Blanca
Nobody dares picking against Argentina at home. Can Uruguay keep it close?
BR: Unless the Argies completely miss the bus, I can’t see them losing to Uruguay with that lineup. With decent weather the pace of their attack will be too much, though Uruguay should put up a fight for the first hour or so. Argentina’s bench will be worth at least a few points in the end.
DM: I like Argentina here but don’t love them. This is always a huge game for Los Teros and Argentina knows it. If you’re playing in this one, buckle up! Expect a high intensity level and some solid tackles for the highlight reels.
DS: The Eagles start strong with debutante Spike Davis scoring a brace but can’t quite break away from the visitors.
IC: Argentina has named some new players compared to those from recent matches against Uruguay. Above all else they have an excellent backline. Will Uruguay be able to maintain their new defensive structure, the structure that impeded the USA from playing high quality rugby? I envision a close match, and I believe that Argentina will win in the end.
JF: This should be tight, with execution in the last 10 making the difference.
PT: Hard to go from British Columbia to Bahía Blanca just as it is from San Antonio. Both teams will be tired from the travel and this will work most against Uruguay.
VR: Los Teros will fight, but to beat Argentina in their home soil is too much for anyone in the tournament.
USA (17) vs BRAZIL (34)
Saturday, February 11, 18:00 Central, Dell Diamond, Round Rock
Surely the Eagles must get one back after last year’s debacle. Brazil could still prove a nuisance.
BR: Brazil didn’t look like world-beaters against Chile but a number of key players under-performed. They will be better this week and have the advantage of continuity, whereas John Mitchell has insisted on tinkering yet again with the Eagles lineup. There’s a chance the likes of Lamborn and Davis could run rampant, but I see this being much closer than what others envision.
DM: I don’t know if I’d go as far as calling this a revenge game, but the USA will certainly want to even the score after Brazil’s upset last year. The Brazilians will be on a high after their win over Chile but if they come out like they did last week, this could get ugly fast. Brazil won’t have 40 minutes to warm up this weekend.
DS: The cross-Plata rivalry doesn’t disappoint as the Teros hang with the Argentina XV all game only to let in a soft try at the end.
IC: With great defense, Uruguay exposed some problems of the USA’s offensive game. The USA, though, were able to deliver a higher level than that expected of their scrum. With Brazil lacking the defensive qualities of Uruguay, the USA should not have problems in securing victory.
JF: Putting Dolan and Clever on the bench suggests some confidence from the Eagles. It might be close at halftime, but surely the Eagles have enough not to tumble against Brazil two years in a row!
PT: The shock loss a year ago will not repeat itself. Brazil is making waves but the Eagles at home and with the roster they have are going to win cleanly.
VR: Because I am an euphoric Brazilian!
CANADA (18) vs CHILE (30)
Saturday, February 11, 17:00 Pacific, Westhills Stadium, Langford
The home side are unanimous favorites, with most expecting a big score against lowly Chile.
BR: I’m tempering my expectations after a virtual write-off against Argentina. Chile looked bad against Brazil, and while Soto and Pardakhty are important additions, it’s not nearly enough to make them contenders in this match. That said Canada weren’t too swish either. I fully expect them to win but a blow-out like last year might be a bit much to ask for given the new names and the possibility of damp and windy conditions.
DM: This was a huge blowout in Chile last year and now Canada has the home field and home weather advantage. Hard to see this one not going Canada’s way.
DS: Neither the nippy conditions nor Chile can keep the hosts off the board as Gordon McRorie marshals his forward pack to several tries from the maul.
IC: The loss against Brazil – and their paltry three points in 80 minutes – underlined the belief that Chile is on a downward spiral. At home the Canadians should be hungry.
JF: Canada will take this chance to put up a big score at home. Look for Lucas Rumball to have a big day for Canada.
PT: Weather permitting Canada are going to run away as big winners. It’s too much of a rise from the Chilean amateurism to compete against a World Cup regular.
VR: Chile showed little against Brazil and will be dominated up north.
