Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
ARN counts down the Top 10 of Americas Rugby in 2022. The list consists exclusively of results from capped rugby internationals. There are no next-of-XV nor Rugby Sevens performances included. All outcomes in the test match arena in the year 2022 were considered.
10 – USA dominate Kenya and Hong Kong
2023 was a year of many lows for the USA. The Women’s team underperformed at the World Cup while the Men’s team did the unthinkable by missing out on qualifying for RWC 2023. The final hurdle was a draw against Portugal. Prior to that result the Men’s Eagles had been highly impressive. They showed the gulf between regions with a 68-14 win over Kenya and a 49-7 win over Hong Kong.
9 – Canada Topple Low Lands
Canada’s Men’s team did not have matches that carried the same importance as that of the USA in 2023. The year included poor showings against Spain and Namibia. Both losses would not have been plausible in the past. It was not all doom and gloom for Canada though; the North Americans defeated Low Lands countries Belgium 45-0 in Halifax and the Netherlands 37-25 in Amsterdam.
8 – Paraguay impress against Colombia
Paraguay converted the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) participation into an important result in the test arena. Having fallen below Colombia during the past RWC cycle, Paraguay came back well to defeat Colombia 21-13 in Barranquilla. The result was a great outcome for the Paraguayans and was certainly an upset.
7 – Argentina Smash Records against Australia in San Juan
Los Pumas were nervous first-up in the Rugby Championship but went-on to complete a 48-17 win over Australia in San Juan. Those in attendance at the Estádio del Bicentenario were treated to Argentina’s biggest ever win over the Wallabies. Seven tries were scored including a double to loose head prop Thomas Gallo. Argentina’s previous Rugby Championship wins over Australia had been by four points. The Argentine mainland was also treated to a series win over Scotland in July.
6 – Brazil claim Tri Nations title
A solid 2022 Tri Nations campaign saw Brazil crowned champions. Os Tupis won the South American B Championship with wins over Colombia and Paraguay in Barranquilla. Brazil won 52-13 against Los Tucanes and followed it up with a 31-28 win over Paraguay on a three day turn-around. The match against Colombia saw Brazil playing with flair to outscore Los Tucanes by eight tries to one.
5 – Uruguay Settle the Score against Romania
Los Teros played host to Romania in July. The two match series was split between the sides. This meant that the winner of their match in November in Bucharest would claim the honors. The highly competitive contest was decided by a second-half double to Baltazar Amaya. Uruguay won 21-16. Amaya is one of many new names to the roster since RWC 2019. There will be big calls to make in finalizing the roster for RWC 2023.
4 – Cayman Islands Miraculous Rebound Win against Mexico
The Cayman Islands celebrated a home win over Mexico in December. The 35-14 win officially meant that the teams split a two-match-series. The first game was played in Mexico City in 2021 with Las Serpientes winning 39-13. The Caymans’ win over Las Serpientes was a tremendous achievement when compared to the prior fixture between the teams. Mexico won the 2019 test match 105-07.
3 – Highly Competitive Canada at Women’s World Cup
Canada put on a strong showing at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. Having won their group, Canada eliminated the USA and then took-on favorites England in a Semi Final. England defeated Canada 26-19 in what was one of the all-time classic World Cup Semi Finals. In doing so the Red Roses made it 30 victories in a row and booked their spot in the Final.
2 – Argentina Conquer All Blacks in New Zealand
Two significant away results in 2022 involved Argentina. Los Pumas defeated England 30-29 in London and defeated New Zealand 25-18 in Christchurch. The win in New Zealand was a first; never before had Argentina defeated the All Blacks in an away test match. Tomás Lavanini and Marcos Kremer were phenomenal in winning the collisions. Juan Martín González scored a try and Emiliano Boffelli knocked-over 20 points.
1 – Chile Qualify for their first Rugby World Cup
The biggest away win of the year belongs to Chile. Los Cóndores handed a shock to the USA, to the rugby public and to World Rugby. The South Americans followed Uruguay’s model with High Performance investments and SLAR being pivotal. The 31-29 win in Denver meant Chile qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time and did so as Americas 2. Los Cóndores will compete in Pool D against England, Japan, Argentina, and Samoa.
