Up and Under

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

 

UP

Two Argentine professional teams in Super Rugby Americas
Argentina will have two teams – Los Dogos XV and Pampas in the 2023 Super Rugby Americas season. The teams will be based in Córdoba and Buenos Aires respectively. The Jaguares brand is missing. Los Pampas competed in South Africa’s Vodacom Cup from 2010 to 2013, winning the competition in the 2011 season. Los Dogos beat-off a bid from Tucumán to join Super Rugby Americas.

Raptors become North Americas first team in Super Rugby Americas
The Colorado-based American Raptors are replacing the Colombian entry, Los Cafeteros Pro, who are out of professional rugby after two seasons in SLAR. 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.

Bailey Wilson retains Utah captaincy
The Utah Warriors have confirmed their on-field leadership for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Bailey Wilson will continue as captain with Paul Lasike named vice-captain. At the same time two more forwards have been added to their roster, Takaji Young Yen and Jeremiah Noaese.

Chicago Hounds Recruitment Continues to Impress
It was an impressive week of player recruitment by Chicago Hounds. USA international flyhalf Luke Carty joins Chicago from the LA Giltinis and three former Austin Gilgronis players also signed for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Hooker Hugh Roach and flanker pair Maclean Jones and Luke Beauchamp have signed on. All three have represented Australia at age grade level.

From Asunción to Seville to New York
New York have signed Enrique Quinteros for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The tighthead prop is set to become the first Paraguayan international to play in the North American competition. He has featured for Las Yakares since 2019, making his test debut in May of that year against Brazil. Quinteros spent the past three years with Olímpia Lions, Paraguay’s entry into the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). He emerged as a starter for the club this past season, with his strong form resulting in a contract with Spanish División de Honor club Ciencias. The stay in Europe was cut short after just three games when New York came calling.

Americas Players impress in Europe
The weekend saw some solid showings from Americas players in Europe. Pumas winger Mateo Carreras scored the match-winner for the Newcastle Falcons against Northern England rivals the Sale Sharks. In the URC, Tomás Albornoz was a try scorer in a big win by Benetton against Zebre. USA prop Titi Lamositele scored in Montpellier’s win over Perpignan while Puma Nicolás Sánchez returned to form to see Brive past Clermont.

Eye to the World Cup
2022 proved to be a more competitive year than any other one on the even of a Men’s Rugby World Cup. Italy defeated Australia and Wales, Georgia defeated Italy and Wales, Argentina defeated England and New Zealand in London and Christchurch respectively. South Africa and New Zealand defeated one-another. Ireland won a series in New Zealand. Australia defeated South Africa. Namibia defeated Canada. Uruguay defeated Romania. Chile defeated the USA. Only France was unbeaten.

 

UNDER

Cafeteros Pro Gone from South American Professional rugby
Colombia’s professional team are not going to continue in the remanded SLAR; Super Rugby Americas will take-place in 2023 without a Colombian participant. Los Cafeteros Pro played in the 2021 and 2022 SLAR seasons. The team reached the Semi Finals of SLAR 2022. This was after the UAR took administrative control on the eve of the season getting underway.

No Pride for Super Rugby Americas
Canada looked to join Super Rugby Americas. The team was intended to be the Pacific Pride 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.

Jaguares face extinction 
The announcement of the inclusion of Pampas as the Buenos Aires side in Super Rugby Americas meant there was no spot for Los Jaguares. The 2019 Super Rugby Finalists are now without a competition. Placing speculation, expectation and hope aside, the team is for all purposes defunct. In short, what could be asked is will the team return to compete in a professional competition or are Los Jaguares facing extinction?

Luke Campbell Calls it a day
Luke Campbell will not be returning to Old Glory DC after all. A little over a month after committing to the 2023 Major League Rugby campaign, the 30-year-old loose forward has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect. The decision comes after Campbell suffered an injury in training while on international duty with Canada in November.

Marcos Kremer Goes Down
Stade Français celebrated a dominant Top 14 win over Parisian rivals Racing 92 on Saturday. The win came with a blow as Marcos Kremer was forced-off injured. The giant from Concordia left the field in the 8th minute after making a tackle on French international Cameron Woki.

Lezana Sees Red
In the latest round of the URC, Tomás Lezana started for the Scarlets. The Puma with 39 caps was shown an early red card. The action was a head-collision wherein Lezana was sent-off for not adjusting his position. The incident advantaged the Ospreys who went on to comfortably win the West Wales derby. The incident itself is a reminder that referees are not giving tacklers the benefit of the doubt. There was no quarter given to Lezana. This may have repercussions for matches at the 2023 World Cup.