Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the best and worst from games involving the Americas teams over the previous week.

UP

Canada Women’s 7s
The Americas hopes of a women’s medal at Rio started with Brazil, Canada, Colombia, and the USA. Now, though, they firmly rest in the hands of the Canadians. The North Americans will play in a Semi Final today against Australia. The prize for the winner will be the right to compete for Gold against either Great Britain or New Zealand. The Canadians performed very well on Saturday and Sunday to put themselves in with a chance.

New Elite Eagles
A total of seven new additions were unveiled by John Mitchell this past week. The Head Coach of the USA Eagles named Hurricanes flanker Tony Lamborn, Sacramento no8 Langi Haupeakui, Newcastle Falcons second row Nick Civetta, PRO Rugby scrum halves Shaun Davies and Chris Saint, former Eagle Kevin Swiryn and utility back Ahmad Harajly. All selected are in line for international duty for capped internationals or for 7s.

Agustín Pichot
Named by Rugby World as the world’s most influential person in rugby, is former Pumas captain Pichot. The Buenos Aires product is the Vice Chairman of World Rugby and got the position after contributing significantly to the restructuring of Southern Hemisphere rugby. Thanks to Pichot, Los Pumas play in the Rugby Championship and Los Jaguares play in Super Rugby. There is now seemingly nothing to stop Argentina from hosting Rugby World Cup 2027.

Nahuel Lobo
Back home from France is prop Lobo. The 24-year-old has returned to Argentina following time at Montpellier, Newcastle Falcons and Carcassonne. He arrives home seeking to add to his eight test caps. Unused by Daniel Hourcade in 2014 or 2015 this year may well be different. His return to Argentina comes at a time in which looseheads are highly sought after. Marcos Ayerza and Juan Figallo play in the Aviva Premiership and Bruno Postiglioni in the Guinness Pro 12.

Titi Lamositele
Meanwhile another Americas prop has secured his playing future in England. The 21-year-old has signed a two-year contract extension with Saracens, keeping him at Allianz Park until at least the end of the 2017-18 season. Lamositele joined the Aviva Premiership club as an academy member in November of 2013, and is now a fully-fledged member of the senior squad. He made his Premiership debut against Sale in October of 2015 following his return from the World Cup, and appeared in 18 league games including two starts.

UNDER

Brazil, Colombia women’s 7s
Playing 7s in Rio neither the Brazil nor Colombia women’s 7s teams gained much more than valuable experience. Both were eliminated before the Quarter Finals stage. Although this was expected it, nonetheless, did end the dream for the athletes representing the respective teams. Colombia will now face Kenya in a battle to avoid bottom spot while Brazil are to face Japan with the winner finishing 9th. Brazil defeated both Colombia and Japan on Sunday.

USA Women’s Eagles
The USA Eagles women’s hopes of competing for a medal ended on Sunday. Despite out-playing New Zealand for much of the match, the Women’s Eagles failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities including a near three-minute stretch with Tyla Nathan-Wong in the sin bin. An impressive New Zealand defense held firm and in the end Portia Woodman’s breakout try at the end of the first half was the difference in the 5-0 game.

Santiago García Botta
The return of Lobo coincides with the loss of García Botta to injury. The Argentine loosehead prop was injured in training this past week, ruling him out of facing South Africa on August 20. The setback places added responsibility on Lucas Noguera Paz. The Tucumán front-rower missed all but the opening match of Super Rugby through injury. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro was used in the later rounds ahead of García Botta and is expected to continue as such in the Rugby Championship.

Gabriel Ascárate
Center Ascárate was one of the early Super Rugby signings yet failed to make an appearance for Los Jaguares. Injury complications did not help matters and they came back to cause him difficulties this past week. He has been declared unfit to be considered for international duty against South Africa this month. No replacement has yet been named in the Pumas roster.