Following the highly successful European model of the Six Nations the Americas is to, beginning in February, have an annual competition putting together teams from throughout North and South America. Rugby World Cup 2015 participants Argentina, Canada, Uruguay and the USA are to be joined by invitees Brazil and Chile.
The opportunity for players and fans is entirely fresh with Brazil being able to host world class opposition and establish a clear path to the long term objective of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup. Put together with Brazil’s hosting of the 2016 Olympic Games the new tournament, set to be unveiled as the Americas Rugby Cup, is seen as carrying unprecedented potential for the world’s fifth most populated country.
With there being six teams in a format in which they each play against one-another either home or away there will be a total of five matches per team. Brazil will play three home matches and two on the road. The Portuguese speaking country will open away to Chile on February 9 and also play away on February 20, taking-on Canada.
The venues for the away fixtures remain undetermined but the cities hosting Brazil’s home matches have been confirmed. The Estadio Pacaembu will host two of Brazil’s home matches with the third taking place in the southern most state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Pacaembu is a famous stadium which has played host to many international soccer matches featuring Brazil’s national team. It hosted six matches during the 1950 FIFA World Cup. Brazil’s rugby team will now have the opportunity of playing test match rugby there, firstly against Germany in December and then against the USA and Argentina on February 27 and March 05 in the Americas Rugby Cup.
Date | Fixture | Location |
February 6 | Chile vs Brazil | Chile |
February 13 | Brazil vs Uruguay | Rio Grande do Sul State |
February 20 | Canada vs Brazil | Canada |
February 27 | Brazil vs USA | São Paulo |
March 05 | Brazil vs Argentina | São Paulo |