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In search of their second win of Super Rugby Americas 2023, the American Raptors take on Yacare on Sunday. The North American team has been in top form recently; a very different team to that which lost to Yacare in Asunción earlier on in the season.
The Raptors have four Pumas in the line-up. Diego Fortuny captains the side from hooker. Former World Cup players Martín Landajo, Lucas González Amorosino, and Ramiro Moyano start at scrum-half, fly half and on the left wing respectively.
The most capped Americas player of all-time also starts. Diego Magno continues in the second-row. Magno has been one of the most consistent players for the Raptors all season.
González Amorosino was known for playing with flair for Los Pumas. It is control and kicking that has been a feature of making opportunities for the Raptors this season. Line Latu provides a second play-maker from full-back.
The Raptorrs have no shortage of finishers. Eagle Ryan James joins Latu and Moyano in her back-three. Centers Aki Pulu and Watson Filikitonga have been deadly on attack at times. If they hold hold together defensively then the Raptors will have a good chance.
The Yacare are a blend of Paraguay and Argentina. The team is a Paraguayan team with local players teaming up with many Argentines. Former World Cup Puma Lucas Noguera Paz starts at loose head. Argentina XV scrum-half Ignacio Inchauspe leads the team and will be the goal-kicker.
Yacare play with a forwards-oriented game-plan. It has resemblances to the traditional Argentine game from way back in the 1980’s and 90’s. The back-row of Felipe Vilagrán, Felipe Puertas, and Juan Cruz Pérez Rachel are a work-horse unit. VIlagrán is from Argentina but has represented Paraguay.
Yacare will be targeting a bonus point win. The Paraguayan side know that a loss combined with Selknam beating Os Cobras would see the Chileans breathing down their necks. In addition, a loss for Yacare would see the American Raptors rising from bottom spot of the table.
RAPTORS
1 Payton Telea-Ilalio, 2 Diego Fortuny (capt.), 3 Ma’ake Muti, 4 Diego Magno, 5 Will Crawford, 6 Shawn Clark, 7 Mo Vanikolo, 8 Ronan Murphy, 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Lucas González Amorosino, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 12 Aki Pulu, 13 Watson Filikitonga, 14 Ryan James, 15 Line Latu
Replacements: 16 Sione Finefeuiaki, 17 Sebastián Otero, 18 Leonard Sagapolutele, 19 Mikey Grandy, 20 Tavius Sykora-Matthess, 21 Ethan McVeigh, 22 Dominick Iacovino, 23 Patrick Madden
YACARE
1 Lucas Noguera Paz, 2 Mariano Muntaner, 3 Facundo Pomponio, 4 Lucas Sommer, 5 Mariano Garcete, 6 Felipe Vilagrán, 7 Felipe Puertas, 8 Juan Cruz Pérez Rachel, 9 Ignacio Inchauspe (capt.), 10 Federico Cacciabue, 11 Juan González, 12 Sebastián Urbieta, 13 Ramiro Amarilla, 14 Arturo López, 15 Tomás Mc Call
Replacements: 16 Emilio Gorostiaga, 17 Julián Martín, 18 Rolando Portillo, 19 Ignacio Martínez, 20 Carlos Plate, 21 Estanislao Pregot, 22 Federico Gauna, 23 Estanislao Gómez
Date: Sunday, May 07
Kick-Off: 5pm (MST); 7pm (PY)
Venue: Infinity Park: Denver, Colorado (US)
Referee: Nehuén Jauri Rivero (AR)
Assistant Referees: Steve Gore (US); Michel Lawrenson (US)
TMO: Austin Reed (US)
Broadcast: ESPN, Star +
HISTORIC RESULTS
March 11, 2023 – Yacare 25-3 Raptors (Asunción, PY)
