Colombia’s impressive year of 2015 continues. Having seen the women’s Rugby Sevens team, Las Tucanes, qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil the junior program continue to deliver results.
Colombia hosted and won the 2015 u19 South American B Championship this past week. Los Tucanes began the four-nation competition with a 26-10 win over Venezuela and followed it up by defeating Peru 39-9. With Mexico defeating Peru and losing narrowly against Venezuela it was Las Serpientes facing Colombia in today’s final.
Before the final though Venezuela faced Peru in the u19 Bronze final. Peru’s troubles in earlier matches continued with Venezuela completing a 55-0 romp. Colombia would have no such ease against Mexico with the home side forced to dig deep to win 23-19.
Nerves tested the players as did heat as the final was contested under the blazing temperature of 30°C or 86°F.
Los Tucanes celebrated the win which was not only a tournament sealing victory but also a guaranteed repechage qualifier against Paraguay in 2016. The winner will join Brazil, Chile and Uruguay in the 2016 South America A u19s.