Paul Tait

CO-FOUNDER / EDITOR / SOUTH AMERICA ... has been covering the sport since 2007. Author on web and in print. Published original works in English, Portuguese and Spanish. Ele fala português / Él habla español.

Ledesma and Pumas need a warm-up match vs Uruguay

Mario Ledesma and Los Pumas need a warm-up match vs Uruguay. This is obviously an opinion; it is one based on three differing factors: (a) game-time; (b) a cost-effective location; and (c) appropriate facilities. The suggestion is for Argentina to play away to Uruguay in Montevideo prior to flying to …

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Solutions needed as Jaguares are out of Super Rugby

COVID-19 has damaged professional sport greatly; in some cases beyond repair. For Argentine rugby it is both the present and the future that are clouded. For 2020 Los Jaguares are out of Super Rugby. However, this is just the short story. Reports from numerous outlets in Argentina explain the real story: …

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Ledesma and Los Pumas: Project 2023

Officially there are 59 players who have been identified for RWC 2023. They are the players recently selected by Mario Ledesma. His roster contained a mix of players based at home and abroad. There were fourteen players who play in Europe. Ledesma included four or more players across all positions. …

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Ten Desired Test Rugby Tours: South America

International competition is healthy within the Americas. The Americas Rugby Championship and Americas Rugby Challenge have enhanced test rugby within the region. The upcoming introduction of promotion and relegation will only advance rugby in the region further. A vital part of the international calendar are the incoming and outgoing tours, …

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How Rugby Can Boom its Markets Outside of RWCs

RWC 2019 saw full stadiums. The tournament is estimated to have had a total revenue of US$6.44 billion. However, at the same time, the costs of preparing for the tournament also bankrupted USA Rugby. Rugby needs increased financial power, something that Pichot has made no secret during his campaigning. The …

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Plotting a British and Irish Lions Tour of the Americas

The campaigning process for World Rugby elections has seen candidate Agustín Pichot plotting a British and Irish Lions of the Americas. The British and Irish Lions are the combined test sides of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Every four years, in between RWCs, the British and Irish Lions embark on a …

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Why Argentina will not bid for RWC 2027

Argentina will not bid to host RWC 2027. During his campaigning for the World Rugby Chairman position Agustín Pichot told The Daily Telegraph of the decision. The Former Pumas captain provided reasons as to why Argentina would not bid for RWC 2027. They are logical, albeit there are more factors at play. …

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Forward Thinking (Vol 6, Iss 1): Peñarol vs the Rest

forward thinking paul tait americas rugby news

I was recently pondering to myself – what would a fantasy match-up look like between Uruguay’s professional players from Peñarol and abroad? After some thought I decided that in the Uruguayan context the real question ought to be that of Peñarol vs the rest. That is to say a match …

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Rugby World Cup in Americas: Argentina

When it comes to countries deserving an opportunity to host a RWC Argentina is near the top of the list. Argentina is the only Semi Finalist in Rugby World Cup history that has never hosted a RWC match and the Americas is the last remaining region to host a RWC …

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Rugby World Cup in Americas: Canada and USA

World Rugby has hinted that the hosting rights to RWC 2031 will be determined together with RWC 2027. This would mirror the RWC 2015 and 2019 decision, which granted England with Wales, and Japan the tournaments. There are benefits to confirming two tournaments at once, with World Rugby noting that …

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