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Super Rugby Americas is set to formally launch on Friday. The revamped competition replaces the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby. Dramatic changes will see Los Jaguares replaced, while Canada’s proposed entry – the Pacific Pride – will not in the end be included.
Argentina will have two teams – Los Dogos XV and Pampas. The former will be based in Córdoba while the later will be in San Isidro in the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires. It’s unclear at this stage if the Jaguares brand, which carried through Super Rugby, will be continued in a different competition.
Los Pampas competed in South Africa’s Vodacom Cup from 2010 to 2013, winning the competition in the 2011 season. Los Jaguares XV later competed in the Currie Cup First Division, going unbeaten in the competition in 2019.
The 2023 Super Rugby Americas will contain seven teams. The new teams are the aforementioned Argentine sides and the American Raptors. The Colorado-based side will be replacing the Colombian entry, Los Cafeteros Pro, who are out of professional rugby after two seasons in SLAR.
Also out are the Pacific Pride. The team was intended to be the Canadian entry but two months after the competition was originally set to be unveiled, only the Raptors remain for North America. Final costs involved are thought to be the reason why the Pride will not compete, despite having initially been offered considerable financial backing by World Rugby.
The Paraguayan entrant in SLAR 2020 through 2022 was the Olímpia Lions. The relationship between the Paraguayan Rugby Union and the soccer team has now ended. As such the team will now compete as the Yakare XV.
SLAR 2022 finalists Selknam and Peñarol remain the respective entries from Chile and Uruguay. Both will be geared towards preparing their sides for the 2023 World Cup. Brazil’s team will continue as Os Cobras.
The official launch of Super Rugby Americas is scheduled for Friday 3pm Buenos Aires time, 1pm Eastern. Match schedules and team rosters will be announced in due course.
ARN can confirm that the Raptors are set to add a pair of ex-Pumas to their roster – scrumhalf Martín Landajo and outside back Ramiro Moyano. Both played in multiple World Cups and enjoyed impressive careers in Super Rugby and Europe.
