Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

UP

Jaguares
All the talk over the weekend was about Los Jaguares, and rightfully so. The Argentine team hammered the Brumbies to book a place in the Super Rugby Final. They will face the reigning champions, the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday. The sky is the limit with the title now within reach.

Lucas Paulos
Named as one of three specialist second-rowers to travel for the Super Rugby Final was Lucas Paulos. He has been a regular while Matiás Alemanno remains out of action. The extent of this is sufficient for Paulos to be deemed in a stronger position to play in the Rugby Championship. There are other cases of new blood preferred to regulars such as Juan Cruz Mallía, Domingo Miotti, Santiago Carreras, Lucio Sordoni, and Mayco Vivas all traveling.

Argentina Sevens
Los Pumas are Tokyo 2020 bound. Argentina went undefeated in the Olympic qualifying tournament this past weekend in Santiago, Chile to become the 6th qualifier. They now join hosts Japan in addition to Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa, and the USA at next year’s Olympic Games. Six more spots remain with the RAN Sevens this coming weekend in Georgetown, Cayman Islands to take center stage.

Brazil, Chile Sevens
Brazil finished second overall to miss out on qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Yet Brazil still has a chance as does Chile. In finishing second and third Brazil, and Chile will play in the special global Repechage qualifier tournament for the final spot in Tokyo. Brazil’s impressive weekend in Santiago also saw Os Tupis qualifying for the 2019 Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru.

Brazil u18 Women
An excellent two days in Santiago, Chile saw Brazil’s Women’s u18 side unbeaten. Wins came against Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay to make Brazil the only undefeated team from the round matches. In the final Brazil would down Argentina 24-15 while Paraguay defeated 24-15 Chile in the Bronze Final.

Women’s Rugby Super Series
Both teams from the Americas – Canada and hosts USA – were on the wrong side in the scoring department, but the return of the Super Series is a welcome one for the sport. The momentum built up from the 2017 World Cup in Ireland fell away dramatically with little planned for women’s rugby following the event outside of the Six Nations and Sevens Series. With a more consistent annual calendar, excitement can again begin to build towards New Zealand 2021.

UNDER

Uruguay Sevens
Failing to fire a shot at all in the South American men’s Olympic qualifying tournament were Uruguay. Los Teros finished 6th in a disappointing weekend underlined by falling to Colombia in their final match. Day One defeats for Uruguay came against Brazil and Chile.

USA Women’s Eagles
An experienced England side were too much for their young USA opponents, claiming a dominant 38-5 win over the Eagles on Friday afternoon in the opening match of the Women’s Rugby Super Series. While the outcome was perhaps to be expected, greater success in the scoring department would have been desired. It doesn’t get any easier for the Eagles as they face New Zealand on Tuesday.

Canada Women
New Zealand overcame a tough Canadian challenge to win 35-20 in the second game of the Women’s Rugby Super Series on Friday. It was a competitive match but Canada remain a clear step below the pace-setters/ As a result Canada drops one place in the World Rugby Rankings, but they will have an immediate chance to reverse the change in their next match against France on Tuesday.

Sergio Parisse
The Azzurri captain has played for the final time for Stade Français. His sudden departure this past week ended a 14 year stay at the club which he captained and was a multiple time Top 14 Champion. The Argentine-born and raised Parisse may continue playing elsewhere next season or he may call it a day. For now the attention is on a 5th World Cup appearance. Italy will face Canada, Namibia, New Zealand, and South Africa in Pool B.

Joaquín Tuculet
There were notable names left out of the 28-man touring roster for the Super Rugby Final. Top of the list would have to be fullback Joaquín Tuculet. He has officially gone from being first choice to having fallen out of favor. Emiliano Boffelli has converted from starting winger to fullback with the far younger Juan Cruz Mallía and Santiago Carreras both preferred to Tuculet. A World Cup spot for Tuculet is now under serious doubt.