ARN Player of the week is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It recognizes the top performers from the Americas over the past week. How spirits can change in the span of a week. After the Pumas triumph over the All Blacks and a palatable draw against the Wallabies, …

The latest signing announcement from the LA Giltinis is the confirmation of Mika Kruse for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from the withdrawn Colorado Raptors, following Blake Rogers and Nick Boyer. Raptors captain Luke White is also expected to join the expansion side. Kruse enjoyed a breakthrough …

Billy Stewart is the latest player to commit his long-term future to the NOLA Gold. The 26-year-old lock has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him stay at The Gold Mine until at least the end of the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The Rhode Island native has …

Djustice Sears-Duru has signed on for a third Major League Rugby campaign with the Seattle Seawolves. The 26-year-old Canadian international has been a staple for the team since arriving part-way through the 2019 season, which culminated in Seattle’s second consecutive MLR Shield title. With 52 test caps Sears-Duru is already …

US Eagles prop Paddy Ryan will return to Austin for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Now just days away from his 30th birthday, the tighthead specialist departs Rugby United New York after two seasons to join the Gilgronis having played under their original moniker – the Elite – during …

Pablo Matera has been revoked of the Pumas captaincy. The UAR has taken action in response to tweets from 2011-2012 that surfaced today that were discriminatory and xenophobic. The 27-year-old Matera recently captained Argentina to a historic victory over New Zealand. He is now no longer the skipper of Los …

The LA Giltinis have another brother duo for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Super Rugby prop twins Ruan and Jean-Pierre (JP) Smith will join from the Queensland Reds, following previously announced Harry and Sean McNulty. Originally from South Africa, the 30-year-olds emigrated to Australia in 2010 and have played …

Los Jaguares are likely to play in the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). There is no place for the Argentine franchise in Super Rugby. Playing in Australia, New Zealand or South Africa or joining the Pro 14 or Major League Rugby are also out of the question. This …

The Women’s Rugby World Cup will expand from 12 to 16 teams, World Rugby has confirmed. The change will begin for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. The 2021 edition will be a 12-team tournament. The 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup will be ninth the ninth in history. The …

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 Brazil Women’s Sevens Brazil proved a class apart to win the Sudamérica Sevens at the Carrasco Polo club in …

Santiago Arata completed four tackles in 30 seconds vs Clermont. The Uruguayan started ahead of Rory Kockott for Castres on Saturday. With Arata on the field, Castres were leading. He was replaced in the 47th minute. Arata’s defensive included a smashing hit on Japanese fullback Kotaro Matsushima. Clermont went on to …

The LA Giltinis have confirmed the signing of Junior All-American halfback Jeffrey Peleseuma through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. At 20 years old, his birthday celebrated just days ago, Peleseuma is currently the youngest player in the league publicly contracted for next year. A native of San Francisco, Peleseuma …

It was another first for Canadian international Sophie de Goede against Bristol on Saturday. Forced into the second row by the return of England’s Poppy Cleall, de Goede remained a running threat and was rewarded with her first try as a professional in the 36-10 win over the Bears. 💬 …

Kate Zackary’s outstanding form to start her Premier 15s career continued on Saturday. While Exeter were on the wrong side of a 24-14 defeat to Wasps, the US Eagles captain earned plaudits for her all-around play. Among Zackary’s highlights were a superb offload in the first half and a crucial …

Brazil proved a class apart to win the Sudamérica Sevens at the Carrasco Polo club in Montevideo this weekend. Sunday’s Cup Final was a one-sided 34-7 win for the Yaras, who went undefeated with an overall points spread of 246 points scored and only 12 conceded in six games. It’s …

The Americas Rankings is an exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It ranks the men’s test team from throughout the Americas. Matches recognized as caps are used for the rankings. Teams yet to compete since the Americas Rankings began are listed with 30.00 points. The November 29, 2020 edition considers two …

Portugal made history on Saturday. In the first-ever test series between Portugal and Brazil the Europeans won both matches. The 2-0 win gives Portugal an overall record of 4-2 in test matches between the countries. The Portuguese won both matches by equal point margins. The difference between the teams can …

Tomás Cubelli will not play again in 2020. The first choice Pumas scrum half missed today’s loss against New Zealand and last weekend’s draw against Australia. He has now been ruled out of next Saturday’s Tri Nations finale. Cubelli is the second Puma to be ruled out of the remainder …

Former All Blacks lock Isaac Ross will join the Austin Gilgronis as a player-coach deal that runs through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 36-year-old confirmed the move to New Zealand publication Stuff prior to Saturday’s Mitre 10 Cup final won by the Tasman Mako. Ross has been suiting …

Portugal won 33-13 today against Brazil. The result gives the Europeans a 2-0 series win over the South Americans. Portugal won game one 30-10 last Saturday and today they were 33-13 winners. Both Portugal and Brazil are preparing for RWC 2023 qualifiers. They will each face stiff opposition in regional …