Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The Argentine Rugby Sevens team completed an impressive Olympic Qualifying campaign this afternoon by winning the final match of the three-day tournament in Santa Fé, Argentina. In doing so Argentina joined hosts Brazil in being South America’s representatives at Rio de Janeiro 2016.
The twelve team men’s Olympic Games Rugby Sevens format will feature regional qualifiers joining the teams to already have secured their places at the event – Argentina, Brazil, England (as Great Britain), Fiji, New Zealand and South Africa. One team from each of Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and North America will join them with the North American qualifier being determined next weekend in Cary, North Carolina.
Both Canada and the USA will, thus, be competing for the same spot with the unsuccessful team entering global repecharge together with runners-up from other regions. In finishing second and third in Santa Fé this weekend Uruguay and Chile are to be involved in the global play-off.
Uruguay started the match against Argentina very well before the skill level of the leading power in the Americas took over. Involved were a combination of Super Rugby contracted Argentine players, players on the fringe who could yet be contracted and Rugby Sevens specialists.
Both Uruguay and Chile will have solid preparation for the repecharge event. They are both to compete at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada next month. The eight team men’s event will see the two of them joining include Canada, Argentina, United States, Guyana, Mexico and Brazil. Canada won gold in Guadalajara 2011.
Day Three Results
Paraguay 26–5 Venezuela
Paraguay 19-15 Perú
Chile 17-5 Colombia 5
Argentina 45-0 Uruguay
