Brazil Claim Hard-Fought Win Over Chile 

Brazil claimed a hard-fought win over Chile this afternoon. The 16-14 win gets their Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) campaign to an ideal start. It also marks Brazil’s first away win in ARC history and a historic first ever win over Los Cóndores in Chile.

In the early goings Brazil had the better of play. Up-and-under kicks from Josh Reeves had Chile forced deep on several occasions. Combined with using the width of the park it was a promising opening to the match from Os Tupis.

But when one of his kicks was well picked-off Chile counter attacked though fullback Tomás Ianiszewski. He stepped and kicked through to chase the bounce with Brazil having no defense. Reeves challenged Ianiszewski illegally, knocking him to the ground. Chile were awarded a penalty try, going 7-0 ahead.

Reeves would score next, opening Brazil’s account. He did so via a long-range penalty. Yet with him having been the guilty party in the penalty try the Chileans had reason to feel unhappy with referee Pablo Deluca.

Brazil winning the territory battle through Reeves. A patient effort paid-off as Brazil worked their way forward eventually scoring their opening try. Following Moises Duque going within inches of scoring a simple pick-and-go saw Jardel Vettorado diving over. Reeves added the conversion to put Brazil 10-7 ahead. The scoreline would remain until the second half.

The narrow lead would be expanded upon in the 45th minute. Smart play in the early minutes of the second half saw the Brazilians into the Chilean 22. Repeated infringes gave Reeves an opportunity to land a penalty.

Chile, meanwhile, were not helping themselves as three kicks in quick time went out on the full. They were also causing themselves problems in general play. In looking to overcome the deficit the were guilty of taking many risks and being forced into extended periods of defending.

With Los Cóndores unable to get out of their own half penalties were frequent. Reeves was off target with a 57th minute kick at goal. He, nonetheless, made up for it in the 61t minute to put Os Tupis 9 points ahead.

Chile’s problems continued from the restart. The kick-off went out on the full. Brazil momentarily switched-off and Chile pounced. A break from one replacement set-up a try for another. Beltrán Vergara darted through and around defenders, off-loading to Nicolás Garafulic who scored on debut. Ianiszesski continued his fine performance by landing the conversion.

The score saw the game swinging back towards Chile. Brazil’s lead was now just two points and they were emptying their bench. Among those replaced was Lucas Tranquez. The fullback was stretched off as a precaution.

Brazil’s replacements were able to see Os Tupis return to control play. With it they were able to play in Chile’s half in the final ten minutes and go on to seal their victory. Reeves had a last minute penalty attempt which he opted to kick dead to end the contest.

SCORING

CHILE 14
Tries – Penalty try (6’), N. Garafulic (63’)
Cons – T. Ianiszewski 1/1 (64’)

BRAZIL 16
Tries – J. Vettorato (31’)
Cons – J. Reeves 1/1 (32’)
Pens – J. Reeves 3/5 (16’, 44’, 61’)

TEAMS

CHILE
1 Vittorio Lastra (17 Sebastián Otero 60’), 2 Tomás Dussaillant, 3 José Tomás Munita (18 Marco Díaz 76’), 4 Nikola Bursic (19 Manuel Dagnino 65’), 5 Mario Mayol, 6 Javier Richard, 7 Alfonso Escobar (20 Nicolás Garafulic 57′), 8 Benjamín Soto (19 Manuel Dagnino 25’-35’), 9 Juan Pablo Perrotta (21 Beltrán Vergara 55’), 10 Santiago Videla, 11 Matías Balbontín, 12 Francisco de la Fuente, 13 José Ignacio Larenas (capt.) (23 Lucca Avelli 38’), 14 Mauricio Urrutia (22 Benjamín Pizarro 55’), 15 Tomás Ianiszewski

Not used: 16 Ignacio Guajardo

BRAZIL
1 Lucas Abud (17 Michel Gomes 65’), 2 Yan Rosetti (capt.), 3 Jardel Vettorato (18 Wilton Rebolo 50’), 4 Gabriel Paganini, 5 Lucas Piero (20 Matheus Daniel 60’), 6 Arthur Bergo (20 Matheus Daniel 39’-HT), 7 Cléber Dias, 8 André Arruda, 9 Laurent Bourda-Couhet, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 De Wet van Niekerk (21 Will Broderick 65’), 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 Lucas Muller (22 Robert Tenório 56’), 15 Lucas Tranquez (23 Ariel Rodrigues 64’)

Not used: 16 Angelo Marcucci, 19 Diego López

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Pali Deluca (UAR)