The inaugural Americas Rugby Challenge (ARCh) was played earlier this month. In Medellín, Colombia the host nation were tournament victories, going unbeaten against Guyana, Mexico, and Paraguay. The tournament is the official ‘B’ division of the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC).
Starting in 2016 the ARC sees Brazil, Canada, Chile, Uruguay, the USA and the Argentina XV competing against each other. The system of facing each other once has brought about revolutionary change in the landscape of rugby competition in the Americas.
The ARC has confirmed that the future is now. The infrastructure exists for the tournament to succeed and upsets have unfolded. The creation of the ARCh is the net step in encouraging sustainable development.
Both Sudamérica Rugby and Rugby Americas North have two countries in the ARCh. This in itself is a mark of the bringing together of both Americas continents in international rugby competition.
In the following video players from all four countries reflect on the inaugural Americas Rugby Challenge.