Up and Under

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

Canadian pack too strong for Eagles in New Zealand
Canada were intent on making a statement in their opening match of the Pacific Four, and they achieved that with a one-sided 36-5 win over the USA in Tauranga, New Zealand. Played in driving rain throughout, the Canadian forward pack dominated their opposites in the scrum and tight phases. Neither team were at full strength but reinforcements are now on the way from England for the rest of the tournament.

Argentine Captain is the Best of the Best in England
Julián Montoya won a double last Monday. The Argentine hooker was named as Leicester Tigers Player of the Year for two awards – Players’ Player of the Year and Supporters’ Player of the Year. The Argentine captain was highly reliable in the set-piece for the Leicester Tigers. He was also a force in general play both on offense and on defense. He held down the starting hooker position and did so despite his heavy workload of twelve test matches for Argentina in 2021 on the back of little rest.

Kelter and Corrigan star as Saracens win Premier 15s title
Saracens claimed their third Premier 15s title with a decisive 43-21 win over Exeter Chiefs at Sixways on Friday. The match featured 15 North American internationals, most of whom will now travel to New Zealand to join their teams in the Pacific Four. Alev Kelter played a starring role for Saracens. The US Eagles center produced several strong carries and kicked five conversions and one penalty, her only ‘miss’ off the tee came from exceeding her time limit.

Remarkable Seawolves overcome odds to beat Giltinis in LA
Against all odds the Seattle Seawolves are now headed to the Major League Rugby playoffs after a shock 35-27 win over the LA Giltinis. Fans at the Memorial Coliseum watched the depleted visitors eliminate the San Diego Legion and any hope of LA hosting the Championship Final in one fell swoop. Seattle had initially been eliminated from playoff contention but the door opened with Austin were disqualified.

North vs South Competition Begins
Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado, will host a four-game exhibition series involving two North American sides and two from South America. Dubbed the “Challenge Cup of the Americas”, the participating teams include champions Peñarol and the Jaguares XV from SLAR, the local American Raptors, and the UBC Old Boy Ravens from Vancouver.

Seven Peñarol players earn chance for test debuts against Japan
Uruguay will play two tests in Japan this month. The roster includes twenty-three players from 2022 SLAR champions Peñarol. Andrés Vilaseca will captain a side featuring  three players based abroad. Second-rower Franco Lamanna, and centers Nicolás Freitas, and Juan Manuel Alonso. The roster also contains sevens uncapped. They are Emiliano Faccenini, Mathías Franco, Tomás Etcheverry, Lucas Bianchi, Carlos Deus, Santiago Álvarez, and Bautista Basso.

Powerful Pumas Roster Confirmed for July
A powerful Argentina roster has been named to face Scotland in July. Michael Cheika has not rested players; he wants a winning team. Julián Montoya captains a 33-man roster containing 17 French-based players and twelve others who play in elite leagues elsewhere. Big names were left out; a signal of the competition for places and a warning of perform to make the roster.

Stunning Argentina Roster Shows no Free Tickets in to Michael Cheika’s Pumas
A phenomenal Argentina XV roster will tour Portugal and Georgia in July. Argentina’s next senior XV will be captained by Francisco Gorrissen. He is joined by Facundo Bosch, Ignacio Calles, Lucas Mensa and Joaquín Oviedo as French-based players on the roster. Other names of note include Mateo Carreras, Matías Moroni, Santiago Socino and Santiago Medrano.

Colombia involvement to continue in Top 14; Uruguayan to double
Bayonne won the Pro D2 Final on Sunday. With it the club earned promotion back to France’s elite, the Top 14. The team defeated Mont de Marsan 49-20, doing so with former Puma Mariana Galarza as captain. Argentine hooker Pablo Dimcheff scored for the beaten finalists. Uruguayan Manuel Leindekar joins the club for the new season on a two-year deal. He and Santiago Arata will play in France’s elite in RWC year.

 

UNDER

AG’s gone from MLR Playoffs
The Austin Gilgronis were shockingly disqualified from competing in the Major League Rugby postseason. An announcement from the league on Friday morning confirmed the decision though a satisfactory explanation has yet to be provided. The AG’s finished at the top of the Western Conference standings and Austin players and fans alike are now left to wonder ‘what if’.

New York hands first home defeat to New England
New England’s perfect record at Veterans Memorial Stadium is no more. The Free Jacks fell 21-14 to Rugby New York on Friday evening in a match that in the end had no effect on the standings but will give the visitors great confidence heading in to their playoff match this coming weekend.

Big Win see Atlanta book home MLR Play-off
Rugby ATL were given an early scare by NOLA Gold but ultimately pulled away to a 45-19 win at Silverbacks Park on Friday. A dominant second half was the difference as the Ratlers secured home field advantage for next week’s Eastern Conference Playoff against Rugby New York.

Arrows fall flat against Old Glory in season finale
The Toronto Arrows had never lost to Old Glory until Sunday afternoon. A strong crowd at York Lions Stadium watched their team fall 50-35 as DC ended their frustrating campaign on a high. Old Glory’s defense was again questionable but Toronto’s even more so. Both teams now turn their eyes to 2023 with changes certain to come in the off-season.

Hammer Blow for Argentina – No Santiago Chocobares for 2022
Argentina have suffered a hammer blow; Santiago Chocobares is out for 2022 through injury. He suffered a partial rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will be out for between six and eight months. The Toulouse center will recover and prepare to return during the 2022-2023 Top 14 season.

Over and out for Dallas Jackals
Three tries from Danny Christensen saw the Utah Warriors past the Dallas Jackals by a final score of 33-5 at Choctaw Stadium on Saturday evening. The home side were competitive in the first half but fell away to close out the second winless campaign in Major League Rugby history.