Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
A position of frustration for many Americas fans is the midfield. Despite having reasonably capable athletes and several with international size, there remains a scarcity of dynamic attacking centres across the board. Argentina’s midfield has tended to be distributors and strong defenders, while the others have physically strong players but lack the ability to break the line with footwork or running angles.
Previous articles can be seen here: front row / second row / back row / halfbacks
Disclaimer:
These are not official depth charts, but attempt to replicate recent selection history as closely as possible. In virtually every case, an absent player who might currently be more appropriate shares the same status – pro or amateur – as the player included. Players included are those considered for the World Cup. In some cases those players have since retired from international rugby. Players are listed by their most recent club affiliation.
It’s important to note that some ‘amateur’ players in the Americas are not entirely unpaid. Some players receive a monthly stipend to supplement their income, particularly those on the World Sevens Series. A significant portion of those retain full-time jobs outside of their rugby commitment. While these players might not be truly ‘amateur’ in the strictest sense, for the purpose of this exercise those who are not full-time employees of a professional fifteen-a-side club or franchise will be considered so.
INSIDE CENTRE
Argentina head coach Daniel Hourcade clearly prefers Southern Hemisphere-style footballers at inside centre, and often selects players comfortable at both flyhalf and centre in the 10 and 12 jerseys. As with their flyhalf stocks, the Pumas have several strong professional available both at home and overseas. Both Juan Martín Hernández and Gabriel Ascárate played in Europe before returning for Super Rugby.
It’s hard to remember a dominant inside centre in a Canadian jersey – there simply hasn’t been one in the professional era. After flirting with flyhalf and fullback, Connor Braid looks to have finally found at home in the midfield and could be an answer for the time being. He left Glasgow Warriors at the end of last season but has not found a new club since breaking his jaw in the World Cup. Top prospect George Barton has joined the Clermont Academy but at 18 years old is one for the future rather than the present.
Uruguay have a couple hard-hitting centres including Alberto Román who spent a season with Valpolicella in Italy, but no full-time pros. There is hope that u20 captain Facundo Klappenbach – baby brother of former Teros skipper Nicolás – will some day reach those heights.
The Eagles have swapped one battering ram for another as Thretton Palamo has succeeded Andrew Suniula in the no12 shirt. Andrew’s brother Roland is still playing semi-pro rugby in France though rarely seen in a USA jersey these days. Chad London arrived from the Golden Lions junior program in South Africa but hasn’t made an impact at international level yet.
| ARG | ||
| Juan Martín Hernández | Jaguares (ARG) | PRO |
| Juan Pablo Socino | Newcastle Falcons (ENG) | PRO |
| Gabriel Ascárate | Jaguares (ARG) | PRO |
| Javier Rojas | Albi (FRA) | PRO |
| CAN | ||
| Connor Braid | Glasgow Warriors (SCO) | PRO |
| Nick Blevins | Calgary Hornets (CAN) | AMATEUR |
| Pat Kay | UVic Vikes (CAN) | AMATEUR |
| Mike Scholz | Castaway Wanderers (CAN) | AMATEUR |
| URU | ||
| Andrés Vilaseca | Old Boys (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Alberto Román | Pucaru Stade Gaulois (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Rodrigo Bocking | Old Christians (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Facundo Klappenbach | Champagnat (URU) | AMATEUR |
| USA | ||
| Thretton Palamo | London Welsh (ENG) | PRO |
| Andrew Suniula | CSM Bucuresti (ROM) | PRO |
| Roland Suniula | Chalon (FRA) | AMATEUR |
| Chad London | Glendale Raptors (USA) | AMATEUR |
OUTSIDE CENTRE
The no13 shirt hasn’t been quite as fruitful for the Pumas, with a number of very good players but none really approaching what one might call ‘world class’. Jerónimo de la Fuente and Matías Moroni have played all their rugby in Argentina with this year being their first as true professionals.
Canada’s best in the no13 shirt in recent memory has been DTH van der Merwe, but the selectors have opted to use him on the wing where he plays his club rugby. Ciaran Hearn’s outstanding World Cup form earned him his first pro contract at the age of 29, though he has received interest from lower division clubs in the past. Conor Trainor has also turned down offers – reportedly some from big clubs – to remain on the sevens circuit.
Uruguay have no professionals at no13. Joaquín Prada is good enough to make the step up, but is currently a medical student and prefers to stay home and focus on his education.
The Eagles are also thin in professional terms. Incumbent starter Seamus Kelly trained with Gloucester but was not offered a contract, while Folau Niua played one game with Glasgow Warriors on a shorm term deal. Ronnie McLean left Ealing Trailfinders for Richmond in the off-season, and Colton Cariaga spent a season in Ireland with Trinity College before returning stateside. USA also has a prospective midfielder at Clermont Academy in the form of 19-year-old Mose Fuala’au.
| ARG | ||
| Marcelo Bosch | Saracens (ENG) | PRO |
| Jerónimo de la Fuente | Jaguares (ARG) | PRO |
| Matías Moroni | Jaguares (ARG) | PRO |
| Gonzalo Tiesi | Newcastle Falcons (ENG) | PRO |
| CAN | ||
| Ciaran Hearn | London Irish (ENG) | PRO |
| Conor Trainor | UBCOB Ravens (CAN) | AMATEUR |
| Mike Fuailefau | Castaway Wanderers (CAN) | AMATEUR |
| Mozac Samson | Calgary Saints (CAN) | AMATEUR |
| URU | ||
| Joaquín Prada | Los Cuervos (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Pedro Deal | Old Boys (URU) | AMATEUR |
| Pedro Dolsan | Urú Curé (ARG) | AMATEUR |
| Nicolás Freitas | Carrasco Polo (URU) | AMATEUR |
| USA | ||
| Seamus Kelly | SFGG (USA) | AMATEUR |
| Folau Niua | SFGG (USA) | AMATEUR |
| Ronnie McLean | Richmond (ENG) | AMATEUR |
| Colton Cariaga | Life University (USA) | AMATEUR |
MIDFIELD SUMMARY
Argentina have a full cupboard of pros in the midfield but few game breakers. Canada’s first choice midfield is professional, the rest fully amateur or sevens players. The Eagles are in an identical situation. Uruguay again is entirely amateur, with only one player likely capable of playing at a professional level.
Tomorrow we round things off with the outside backs.
