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.

Kenya, Namibia Win RWC Qualifiers

Kenya and Namibia won their respective RWC qualifiers today in Africa. Their victories see them both very well placed in the Gold Cup – Rugby Afrique’s qualifying path to RWC 2019. Namibia wrote history, defeating Tunisia 118-0. The win sets a new national record, replacing Namibia’s 112-0 win over Madagascar …

Read More »

The Misunderstood Pumas Struggles Post RWC 2015

Argentina’s struggles post RWC 2015 led to the downfall of Daniel Hourcade. The inability to win matches is well documented but what remains less commonly spoken about is the invisible leap from seasoned players to the test arena. Invisible Leap The invisible leap refers simply to a player learning his craft …

Read More »

Daniel Hourcade Quits as Argentina Head Coach

Daniel Hourcade has quit as Argentina Head Coach. In the post match conference following today’s 30-12 defeat against Wales El Huevo confirmed his resignation. Argentina fell to a 2-0 home series defeat against Wales. It follows a 2-0 home defeat a year ago against England and losses across the board …

Read More »

Namibia Kick-Off RWC Qualifying Campaign With a Bang

Namibia kicked-off their RWC 2019 qualifying campaign with a bang, downing Uganda 55-6 in Windhoek. The match was the second of what as the opening day of Africa’s regional qualifying for RWC 2019. Competing in the Gold Cup are Namibia, Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The six African countries are …

Read More »

Germany Advance to Face Samoa in RWC Play-Off

A 16-13 win today sees Germany advancing to face Samoa in a RWC 2019 Play-Off. The Germans booked themselves their trip to Apia by defeating Portugal in a nail-biter in Heidelberg. Trailing 6-3 at half time Germany went ahead before being caught by Portugal in the second half. Victory was …

Read More »

Uruguay Above Expectations For 2019

Uruguay are above expectations for 2019. The results achieved on the field conclusively point to progress and they are actively seeing Los Teros being reevaluated as a Tier 2 side in terms of both actual and official status. The URU have been highly strategic in their use of test matches. …

Read More »

Hourcade and Argentina Gambling Big on Jaguares

Props aside there is no chance of seeing a European-Based player pull on a Pumas uniform in 2018. Head Coach Daniel Hourcade and Argentina (UAR) are gambling big on Jaguares. This reality comes following prior confirmation that European-Based players were to be selected for Los Pumas this year. With 17 losses …

Read More »

Hong Kong Advance in RWC Qualifiers

Hong Kong are Asia 1. This was achieved today by virtue of Hong Kong defeating South Korea. It sees Hong Kong Advancing in the RWC Qualifiers, setting up a play-off against the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands earned the right to face Asia 1 in the Cross-Regional Play-Off after Tahiti …

Read More »

The Career and Legacy of Patricio Albacete

Argentina’s Patricio Albacete is ending his playing career at the age of 37. With it he leaves behind a legacy that helped transform Los Pumas into a force and saw him winning titles in Europe. Standing in at 2.00m (6ft-7) and weighing 123kg (270lbs) Albacete had the ideal frame of a …

Read More »