Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It’s here! The final round of the Americas Rugby Championship. Next week will be a sad one indeed. This year’s competition maybe hasn’t been quite as electric as a year ago, no thanks to the weather, but it has been enjoyable nonetheless and the Americas are undoubtedly better for it.
Our pundits took a beating along with Canada last week, but credit must go where credit is due! Curtis Reed, Ignacio Chans, Jake Frechette, and Paul Tait all picked Uruguay to win. Ignacio even got the spread exactly right at +4! Heading into the final round it’s Jake who stands alone at the top of the pile, but will his bold predictions in Round 5 come back to bite him?
The leaderboard as it stands:
Jake Frechette (12-0), USA, Rugby Today
Bryan Ray (11-1), Canada, Americas Rugby News
Curtis Reed (11-1), USA, This Is American Rugby
Dan Mason (11-1), USA, Rugby United
Paul Tait (11-1), Brazil, Americas Rugby News
Ignacio Chans (10-2), Uruguay, El Observador
Junoir Blaber (8-1), USA, Rugby Wrap Up
Derek Sagehorn (7-2), USA, This Is American Rugby
Doug Coil (9-3), USA, DJ Coil Rugby
Ted Hardy (5-1), USA, Americas Rugby News
Victor Ramalho (8-4), Brazil, Portal do Rugby
Round 5, for all the marbles!
| March 3-4, 2017 |
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| Bryan Ray Americas Rugby News |
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| Curtis Reed This Is American Rugby |
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| Dan Mason Rugby United |
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| Derek Sagehorn This Is American Rugby |
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| Doug Coil DJ Coil Rugby |
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| Ignacio Chans El Observador |
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| Jake Frechette Rugby Today |
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| Junoir Blaber Rugby Wrap Up |
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 +3 |
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| Paul Tait Americas Rugby News |
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| Victor Ramalho Portal do Rugby |
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BRAZIL (33) vs CANADA (20) – Match Preview
Friday, March 3, 19:00 Brasilia, Estádio do Pacaembu, São Paulo
Canada surprisingly remain hot favorites despite their poor match against Uruguay.
BR: Canada were very uninspired in Maldonado, but surely they will not repeat in São Paulo. The under-performers have been dropped and there is a chance for some new names to raise their hand for future selection. I’m looking for big games from Howard, Beukeboom Jr., and a fun first cap for McDonell. Brazil are more dangerous than perhaps we are giving them credit for but their lack of staying power and questionable forwards will not be enough.
DC: Canada will return with a win, but Brazil showed last week how then can contest during the first half. Canada needs to take the lead and not allow Brazil to hang around.
DM: I like Canada to wear Brazil down physically here. Everything that could go wrong for Canada did last weekend. I don’t expect a repeat.
DS: The Maple Leafs bounce back to trounce the Tupis.
IC: Canada is hurt coming off a loss against Uruguay. Brazil will be boosted by the home support, but the team’s state of mind is an enigma following the defeat at the hands of the Argentina XV, a match in which Brazil had a good opening half. I expect a similar game to that of Ushuaia but without such a vast difference in the end.
PT: A long trip home from Brazil combined with Canada coming off a loss to Uruguay will help the already superior side. Both teams want to finish on a high but Canada’s class will win them the game cleanly.
VR: That’s it, I am keeping the faith.
URUGUAY (21) vs CHILE (30) – Match Preview
Saturday, March 4, 15:00 Uruguay, Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
No mercy for Chile. Uruguay should get through them without much difficulty.
BR: Despite being the weakest side in this year’s competition, I think Los Cóndores will stick around until late in the game.
DC: Uruguay played well against the USA and beat Canada in a close match last week. They can smell third place and will take care of business. Chile can not afford to give up possession if they hope to win.
DM: Los Teros will be far too much for Chile.
DS: The Teros continue their home domination with an emphatic win over Chile and a 3rd place finish.
IC: Uruguay brings with it great momentum from the win over Canada. Meanwhile Chile comes from a heavy loss and has 0 points on the competition table. Notwithstanding, this is a classic, and for this reason the differences are decreased. Uruguay’s superior physical game will be telling in the second half.
PT: A third place finish awaits Uruguay. Los Teros will gladly finish above Canada this year and eye up shaking up the RWC qualifying script later in the year.
VR: Los Teros stepped forward with the win against Canada and are much more conident than Chile. This will be an affirmative victory for Uruguay.
ARGENTINA XV (9) vs USA (17) – Match Preview
Saturday, March 4, 17:00 Argentina, Estadio Municipal, Comodoro Rivadavia
The grand finale! Can the Eagles stop Argentina from repeating as champions? This should be tense.
BR: Not at all an easy choice, and I think the Eagles have a real chance at an upset given Argentina’s insistence to keep chopping and changing. There’s just enough continuity at key positions and home field advantage to give Argentina a slight edge. Besides, if I pick the USA I’ll have no chance of catching Jake!
DC: USA has been gaining momentum throughout the series and is poised to finish. Let the attacks begin! The USA will need to maintain possession and starve off Argentina’s. Both teams will put some points on the board.
DM: As much as it crushes me to do this, am taking the home team here with a slight edge. They’ve shown just a bit better over the four weeks so far and I think Argentina’s XV can do it for one more performance.
DS: The big empanada…the two undefeated Americas sides score early and often with Argentina XV barely holding onto the ARC trophy.
IC: The two best sides in the ARC will determine who secures the title. Last year in Houston was a “shootout” and now this should not change, but the difference maker will be Argentina’s individual quality.
PT: Not only is the match for the title but both sides are undefeated and they will be playing in Patagonia. Both sides have had tremendous campaigns but there can only be one winner. Ramiro Herrera’s home town will be put on the map. Superior natural ability to see the Argentina XV crowned champions.
VR: USA will give a hard fought, but Argentina will play at home. That makes the Eagles task too herculean.
