Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Brazil defeated Chile 15-10 in their fourth-round Americas Rugby Championship match in Jundiaí on Saturday. While the win was compulsory for a Brazilian side on the rise, it was very far from an accomplished performance for the Tupis.
Having beaten all comers in the scrum in the matches prior, Brazil was expected to succeed against the Cóndores and they certainly delivered. Chile’s scrum retreated instantly at every engage, and did so at such a rate that Tupis eightman André Arruda could barely keep the ball from escaping him.
Elsewhere, however, Brazil were underwhelming. Their standards were not at the level seen against the USA and they failed to capitalize on several scoring chances, instead relying on the boot of Josh Reeves to put points on the board.
A worrying moment came in the 21st minute when Tomás Ianiszewski had to be stretchered off the pitch after being knocked out cold in a tackle. The Cóndores winger got his head on the wrong side of Lorenzo Massari and took a knee directly to the side of the head.
Despite being in complete control at the set piece and dominating both possession and territory, Brazil managed only a 9-3 lead at the half with Reeves landing three penalties. Chile had but one scoring opportunity and took it, a three-pointer from Francisco González Moller.
The Tupis seemed to run out of steam in the second half and when Chile finally got into scoring position they took full advantage. Augusto Böhme broke through the line and was stopped just inches short, but Francisco Garrido was there to pick and drive over the line for a try on debut.
Brazil were forced to defend their line again soon after and somehow managed to hold the Cóndores out, with Arruda’s desperate tackle denying a certain try for Vicente Ayarza. Another attack was held up and the Tupis were able to clear their lines.
Chile’s discipline cost them dearly in the final quarter. Reeves missed one penalty but landed two, the second just four minutes away from full-time to force the Cóndores to go for the try. Another handling error gave Chile possession deep in Brazilian territory but from a tap-and-go penalty they knocked the ball on to end the game.
The final round of the ARC will see Chile returning to Maipu on Saturday to host the Argentina XV. Brazil will aim for a record third tournament win as they take on Uruguay but will have to do so against the odds at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo.
SCORING
BRAZIL 15
Pens – J. Reeves 5/7 (7’, 12’, 36’, 68’, 76’)
CHILE 10
Tries – F. Garrido (43’)
Cons – F. González Moller 1/1 (44’)
Pens – F. González Moller 1/1 (15’)
TEAMS
BRAZIL
1 Caíque Silva (17 João Talamini 79’), 2 Wilton Rebolo (16 Yan Rosetti 59’), 3 Jardel Vettorato, 4 Matteo Del’Acqua, 5 Luiz Vieira, 6 Cléber Dias, 7 Arthur Bergo (capt.), 8 André Arruda, 9 Lucas Duque, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Robert Tenório, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Lorenzo Massari (23 Ariel Rodrigues 79′), 14 Lucas Tranquez, 15 Daniel Sancery
Not used: 18 Pedro Bengaló, 19 Michael Moraes, 20 Alexandre Alves, 21 Douglas Rauth, 22 Stefano Giantorno
CHILE
1 Vittorio Lastra (17 Santiago Garrido 64’), 2 Claudio Iturra (16 Augusto Böhme 37’), 3 Nicolás Ovalle (19 Mauricio Gómez 69’), 4 Javier Eissmann, 5 Francisco Garrido (20 Augusto Sarmiento 64’), 6 Eduardo Orpis (18 Claudio Zamorano 69’), 7 Thomas Orchard (21 Camilo Sánchez 73’), 8 Martín Sigren (capt.), 9 Domingo Saavedra, 10 Francisco González Moller, 11 Gonzalo Lara, 12 Vicente Ayarza, 13 José Ignacio Larenas, 14 Tomás Ianiszewski (22 Juan Pablo Perrotta 21’), 15 Christian Huerta
Not used: 23 Juan Pablo Larenas
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Joaquín Montes (URU)
Assistants: Victor Hugo Barbosa (CBRu) & Renato Scalercio (CBRu)
TMO: Diego Pasman (UAR)
