World Cups bring together leading teams for a special tournament. The best against the best is determined by earning the right to compete by eliminating others in qualifying matches. In rugby it is not exactly so. When will rugby get its act together to have genuine World Cup Qualifiers? World …
Read More »Spain set to recall Mathieu Belie 4 years after RWC qualifying disqualification
Spain are set to select Mathieu Belie, according to Revista 22. In a remarkable series of events, a player officially not eligible for Spain in 2018 now is; yet, it is through ancestry and not residency. Spain were disqualified from the RWC 2019 qualifiers for fielding ineligible players. ARN was …
Read More »Ten Polyfunctional Pumas in 2022
Individual attributes and the needs of a team can combine to see an established player moved to a different position. This happens everywhere from the amateur leagues to the test arena. If a player is ‘out of position’ at his club this may harm his chances of international honors; that …
Read More »Axel Müller and the case why he could be able play for the USA
Argentina Olympian Axel Müller has his sights set on playing for the USA. The center / wing moved from Mendoza to Arizona as a child, spending ten years in the USA. He speaks fluent English and carries as U.S. passport. World Rugby eligibility laws prevent the Argentine, a star sevens …
Read More »South American historic feats unnoticed by World Rugby
South American rugby coaches made history in 2021. First, Esteban Meneses coached Uruguay to Americas 1. The Argentine made history as a North American country was unable to qualify for a Rugby World Cup as Americas 1 for the first time. Second, Chile are closer than ever to participating in …
Read More »Los Pumas and Changes in front of our eyes: La nueva generación
Changes are under way in Los Pumas. They are taking place in front of our eyes. There is a new generation or La Nueva Generación taking shape. Quite simply, numerous names from RWC 2019 are unable to command positions as fresh faces are being selected instead. Saturday’s test match against …
Read More »Why Argentina Must Start Santiago Chocobares
Argentina must start Santiago Chocobares. The 22-year-old brings a new dimension of play to the Argentine mid-field; he is the type of center that Argentina has not had recently or at all during the professional era. Pumas centers have come in a variety of forms. The most capped Pumas centers …
Read More »Peñarol have no specialist Uruguayan fly halves
Peñarol are competing without any specialist Uruguayan fly halves. The Uruguayan team is enjoying a strong season in the 2021 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). After seven rounds Peñarol are in second position and have qualified for the Semi Finals. The team’s starting fly half in all matches has …
Read More »RWC 2023 Schedule: Why Americas 1 is favorable and Americas 2 unfavorable
The RWC 2023 match schedule is favorable for some and unfavorable for others. The organizers have provided a more even spread of fixtures than in prior RWCs; however, there are teams with friendlier match schedules than others. In the case of the Americas there are four places to consider. They …
Read More »The Rugby World Cup Hosting Process is Broken
The Rugby World Cup hosting process is broken; new candidates are reluctant to bid. Try as World Rugby might to encourage new bids there is not a line of fresh candidates to host their flagship tournament. The evidence paints a telling image, one of RWCs returning to prior countries as …
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