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

Cayman Islands complete remarkable rebound against Mexico
The Cayman Islands celebrated a home win over Mexico on Saturday. The 35-14 win meant the teams split the two-match-series. The first game was played in Mexico City in 2021 with Las Serpientes winning 39-13. The Caymans’ win defies recent results; indeed, the 2019 match saw Mexico winning 105-07.

Bronze again for Women’s Eagles
Make it back-to-back Bronze for the Women’s Eagles on the World Sevens Series. The USA defeated Ireland to finish 3rd in Cape Town and build an 8-point buffer in the race for automatic Olympic Qualification. A shorthanded Canadian side finished in 8th spot, one better than Dubai, while Brazil broke their losing streak to claim 9th.

USA Men’s Eagles also impress in Cape Town
It was a good day for USA Rugby in Cape Town as the Men’s Eagles followed the Women’s lead in winning the Bronze Final. The result moves them into a tie with New Zealand on 44 competition points, while Samoa’s Cup Final win over South Africa sees those two sides level at the top of the table on 47 points.

Another landmark result for Los Teros on Sevens Series
Uruguay are celebrating another historic moment on the World Sevens Series. Los Teros finished second in Pool B to reach the Cup Quarter Finals in Cape Town. It’s the first time they have qualified for the Cup draw of the knockout stage under the modern format, having last done so 22 years ago during the first-ever season of the Series.

Argentina dominate South American u20’s
Argentina are the 2022 South American u19 champions. Los Pumitas secured the title on Wednesday with a dominant display against Chile. Argentina won the match 99-0 at Paysandú, Uruguay. It followed a 47-15 win over Uruguay also at Paysandú on the previous Saturday. Argentina’s place as the very best in South America, and all of the Americas, remains unchallenged.

Uruguay qualify for 2023 World Rugby Junior Trophy
Uruguay qualified for the World Rugby Junior World Trophy. Los Teritos did so by completing an impressive home win 62-14 over Chile at Paysandú on Sunday. The contest was over at half-time; Los Teritos were 34-0 ahead. Juan Ignacio Cambón, Pedro Hoblog, Pedro Brum, Máximo Lamelas, and Juan González all touched down for opening half tries.

Michael Cheika needs to take notice of Santiago Socino
Santiago Socino was out of favor with Argentina in 2022. He has been in top form for Gloucester. He scored one try and created another for the English Premiership side in their home win over Bordeaux on Saturday. Gloucester won 22-17 with Pumas second-rower Matías Alemanno also setting-up a try for the winning side.

Pumas score treble in Champions Cup
Juan Martín González scored two tries and Lucio Cinti one for London Irish on Friday. The English Premiership side fell to a 32-27 home defeat against French side Montpellier. The rugby played from London Irish indicates that the team is one to watch come finals time this season. In terms of the Friday fixture, a first-half red card changed the match; more on that in Under.

New home for defending MLR champs New York
Rugby New York will play in a brand new stadium for the 2023 Major League Rugby season and beyond. The defending champions make the move from New Jersey to Mount Vernon’s Memorial Field. Located in Westchester County, the new facility is just minutes 3 miles west of where the team played their first ever exhibition match at Iona University’s Mazzella Field. New York are set to play their first match at their new home on February 26 against the Toronto Arrows.

Dallas add further firepower Los Chacales
The Dallas Jackals recruitment for MLR 2023 continues. This week saw more names added to the firepower of reputable Argentine newcomers. Former SLAR players fly half Martín Elías and winger Tomás Malanos signed for the North Central Texas MLR team. Also joining are scrum-half Pedro Imhoff, flanker Jerónimo Gómez Vara, and front-rower Joaquín Horcada. In addition, hooker Tomás Baravalle joins from Italian URC side Benetton while tight head Juan Pablo Zeiss and utility outside back Marcos Moroni are join from MLR rivals Houston.

 

UNDER

Tyler Ardron steps away from Canada
Tyler Ardron has suspended his test career with Canada. The leading Canadian rugby player in the world today has taken the decision to focus on playing for his professional team, Castres in France’s Top 14. Ardron’s international retirement comes at the age of 31. He has 38 test caps to his name. The first was earned against the USA in Kingston, Ontario in 2012. His most recent cap was against Chile in October, 2021. He steps away as Canada’s best player.

USA coach Gary Gold out after World Cup Qualifying Disaster
Gary Gold is no longer the head coach of the USA Men’s Eagles, USA Rugby has confirmed. It comes after the Eagles elimination from the World Cup in the repechage qualifying tournament. The USA missed out on sealing a place at Rugby World Cup 2023 yet will host Rugby World Cup 2031. Uruguay and Chile both defeated Gold’s team during RWC qualifiers to qualify while Portugal claimed the final spot against the USA.

No Cape Town for Cooper Coats
Canada lost leading name Cooper Coats from competing at the Cape Town Sevens. His place went to Elias Ergas. The 24-year-old represented the only change to Sean White’s roster. Canada’s Men finished in 14th spot in Dubai, White’s first event in charge of the side. The loss of Coats came at a time with the team struggling to find form and amidst a leadership changeover.

Game Over for Andrew Durutalo 
Andrew Durutalo has opted to retire from professional rugby. The 35-year-old loose forward confirmed the decision in a statement via the Seattle Seawolves. In three Major League Rugby seasons Durutalo made 17 appearances, all starts, and helped the Seawolves reach their third Championship Final in 2022. He had previously played professionally in England with Worcester Warriors and Ealing Trailfinders, and starred with the Sunwolves in the 2016 Super Rugby campaign. He played 22 test matches for the USA from 2012-2018 including matches at RWC 2015.

Red Card for Agustín Creevy
Agustín Creevy was red carded on Friday. The Argentine hooker was sent-off for head to shoulder contact. The decision was widely questioned due to the player haven fallen to wear Creevy was standing based on the tackle from teammate Adam Coleman. The incident meant London Irish were with 14-men for more than half the match. They had been leading before the card.