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

Guatemala
A dream week in Guatemala City saw the home side winning all three matches in the South American C Championship. Guatemala completed wins over Panama, El Salvador and Costa Rica to complete back-to-back South American C titles. Guatemala’s title sees the country qualifying for South American B Championship repechage. Los Jaguares will face Ecuador with the winner playing in the 2017 B tournament and the loser in the C tournament.

Panama
Panama celebrated a first-ever test match victory on Saturday. The round three South American C Championship fixture saw the Red Devils downing El Salvador convincingly. The challenge for Panama is now to use the achievement to build for the future. In 2016 Panama will be back again in the South American C Championship. It will be back with earned respect and aiming higher.

Nicaragua
Not competing in the South American C Championship but present was Nicaragua. While not playing a test match Nicaragua faced and defeated Guatemala’s u23 side. The Central American republic was accepted in July for associate membership status of Sudamérica Rugby. A place in the 2017 South American C Championship is therefore realistic.

Ohio Aviators
The Ohio Aviators are to get a new home. The PRO Rugby side is to benefit from the building of a public funded 6,500-seat stadium. It is to be constructed on the site of the former Columbus Motor Speedway. To be called Fortress Field, it will be open for an Ohio Machine lacrosse match on May 6.

Moving Around Argentina XV Matches
The 2017 home matches of the Argentina XV are to be spread. The inaugural Americas Rugby Championship winners will play three home matches in 2017. The location of two of these venues has been revealed. Uruguay will play in Bahía Blanca and Brazil will do so in Ushuaia. The second of the two locations will set a new world record as the southern-most location for international rugby.

Connor Braid
The Canadian flyhalf made his top European debut for new club Worcester Warriors on Saturday and led his side to a 33-20 win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the Challenge Cup. Braid played all 80 minutes and kicked four conversions in a composed performance that earned a stamp of approval of backs coach Sam Vesty. If first impressions are anything to go by, Braid should see plenty of time in the Warriors shirt over the next few months. Very good news indeed for Canadian fans.

Bosch and Wyles
Both Marcelo Bosch and Chris Wyles scored for Saracens on Saturday. They helped the London-based side to a big win over Sale Sharks. With it the team is 3-0 in the European Champions Cup this season. Also scoring in Europe this weekend was Juan Imhoff. The Argentine speedster went over for Racing 92 who were surprise losers against the Glasgow Warriors.

Sebastián Poet
The Argentine flyhalf kicked Charente to victory this weekend. Four goals from Poet helped the former third division side to a 23-10 victory over Narbonne. The result sees Charente maintaining their strong position in the Pro D2. The club is in 6th spot and well clear of relegation.

 

UNDER

Americas Performances in Cape Town 7s
Despite Argentina, Canada, and the USA all winning matches they were far from their best in Cape Town. The Canadians managed a draw against New Zealand yet lost against Los Pumas. The USA had a strong opening day to reach the Cup Quarter Finals. A loss in extra time to Scotland knocked them off course, and Fiji ended their year early in the 5th place Semis. Canada were crushed by France but managed to pull their feet from the flames against Samoa before beating Uganda to claim 13th spot. Argentina bowed out against France in the consolation final.

El Salvador
El Salvador were the 2014 South American C Championship. Two years on the country finished bottom. In losing all matches El Salvador also fell down in the Americas Rankings to be ranked 39th, or bottom. The failure of El Salvador to build on prior success combined with the improvement of Guatemala and Panama have contributed to this. While Costa Rica is no longer the top country from Central America, El Salvador remains behind them. The addition of Nicaragua and, potentially, Honduras ought to be music to the ears of El Salvador.

Daniel Hourcade
Argentina’s Head Coach Daniel Hourcade is caught in a tough position. Under orders from the UAR to not select foreign-based players he had to try to win test matches with a diminished roster. The team struggled in November, losing all three matches in Europe. It was officially the worst ever November tour by Argentina. Hourcade claims there are only three based in Europe that he would select. One is Juan Imhoff. The other two are undisclosed. He had nine with him in his squad en route to the Semi Finals of Rugby World Cup 2015.

Gonzalo Quesada
Another Argentine coach but in the under section for another read altogether. Gonzalo Quesada announced this past week that he would be quitting Stade Français in June. Recent events at the club have led to turmoil. He has been quoted in the French press as being unhappy with the behavior of club owners and certain players. In not being able to fully coach the side he has opted to leave. He does so after having coached the club to national glory in 2015. It is potentially fantastic news for Argentina as Los Jaguares or Los Pumas may seek his services.

London Welsh
What does the future hold for Aaron Carpenter? The Canadian captain’s club, London Welsh, is now in liquidation, with its fate to be determined by the High Court on Monday. If the club is ordered to wind-up operations immediately, Carpenter could be a free agent as soon as Tuesday. Who is ultimately effected by the fallout is yet to be seen.