Up and Under

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

UP

Los Jaguares
The roster of Los Jagures has people talking. Indeed this past week the head of Australian rugby Bill Pulver came out stating that he believes the Argentine franchise can go all the way and win Super Rugby. The signs are very optimistic for the Buenos Aires based side and it comes at a time when the critics are not quieting down in regards to the perceived flaws of the Southern Kings and Sunwolves.

Uruguay
Sustainable development is precisely what is taking place right now in Uruguay. Having acquired a national rugby stadium and invested in the installation of training facilities the administration is also on the rise. The implementation of a long-term plan to see Los Teros back at the World Cup in Japan saw the appointment of Esteban Meneses as the new Head Coach of the national team this past week. Meanwhile both Old Christians and Old Boys are to play in Argentina’s Torneo del Interior B.

Córdoba Athletic
History was made at the Punta del Este 7s this weekend as Córdoba Athletic won the Cup Final for the first time. In doing so the club became Argentina’s first from outside of Buenos Aires to win Uruguay’s premier Rugby Sevens event. Córdoba Athletic defeated the 2014 champions, Moby Dick 21-12 in the final. Ignacio Rizzi was the top try scorer while Lautaro Bazán Vélez won player of the tournament.

Saracens
Still yet to be defeated at all this season is the London based club Saracens. Yesterday’s 26-16 away win over the Wasps in Coventry sees Saracens sitting on 31 points. Involved in the match were Marcelo Bosch, Juan Figallo and Chris Wyles. Also playing very well this season in is the Exeter Chiefs who sit in second position with 29 points. The third placed Leicester has 25.

Ciaran Hearn, Jebb Sinclair, and the Exiles
Also winning this weekend in England was London Irish. The team’s memorable 25-23 home win was the club’s first of the season and it sees London Irish leap ahead of the Newcastle Falcons to sit one place above the bottom of the table. The significance is that the Exiles are now out of the relegation zone and the win was against a recent champion. Canadians Ciaran Hearn and Jebb Sinclair were both involved in the win.

Nicolás Sánchez
The top point scorer from Rugby World Cup 2015 was distinguished this past Tuesday as the Puma of the year. Voted in by journalists he was elected the Olimpia de Plata de rugby winner. With him very much being a confidence player the award comes at an important time as Los Jaguares are to begin their preparations for the Super Rugby season on January 04 in Buenos Aires.

UNDER

Belisario Agulla
On the losing end against the Leicester Tigers this weekend were the Newcastle Falcons. The underdogs had been leading 10-3 when Agulla was yellow carded in the 27th minute. It was followed by Mark Wilson also seeing yellow one minute later which costs Newcastle greatly. The Falcons would not score again and let in a try when numerically disadvantaged. Juan Pablo Socino replaced Agulla in the 61st minute.

Canada Accepting Mediocrity
Much has been said post World Cup about Fiji’s biggest problem being the administration. The inability to hold onto top shelf staff has impacted at senior level, particularly the senior men’s team who have been unable to return to being Quarter Final contenders after eliminating Wales in 2007. What then should be said of Canada reappointing a coach for an additional two years despite him having been winless at the World Cup? 2015 was Canada’s worst ever World Cup but looking back maybe it is not really surprising given that Canada has lost 17 out of the past 20 test matches and the wins being against Portugal, Namibia and Georgia.

Gonzalo Quesada
A prime opportunity to win on the road was blown on Sunday as the 2015 French champions lost to the bottom of the table Oyonnax. The 25-12 loss sees the Parisians slipping to 12th in the competition while Oyonnax rise from bottom to 13th. Not only did Stade Français lose but they failed to score a try. A much improved effort is needed from Quesada’s team if they are to defend their French title.

Bruno Postiglioni
Having been Daniel Hourcade’s third choice loosehead prop Bruno Postiglioni walked away from a Super Rugby contract to join Guinness Pro 12 side Zebre. After ten rounds Postiglioni has played three Pro 12 matches none of which have been since the World Cup. Postiglioni, in other words, is a wider roster member and faces an up hill battle to play with regularity. Zebre won yesterday, defeating Treviso 28-25 to go to within 3 points of the Newport Gwent Dragons.