Up and Under

Up and Under is a weekly exclusive on Americas Rugby News. It takes a dive into the best and worst involving Americas Rugby from the past week.

 

UP

Seattle Seal Conference Final spot
The Seattle Seawolves have earned their spot in the Western Conference Final with a convincing 37-26 victory over the Houston SaberCats on Saturday. A clinical performance from AJ Alatimu and the triumphant return of Riekert Hattingh led the way against a Houston side that will rue a number of mistakes and missed opportunities.

All Glory for DC
Old Glory DC earned a hard-fought 37-33 win over the defending champion New York Ironworkers at Memorial Field on Sunday. The home side led 19-16 at halftime but an inspired second half performance led the visitors to victory in their first ever playoff match. New York now look to next season knowing they have work to do to reach the heights of the 2022 campaign. DC’s celebrations will be short-lived as they now prepare to challenge the New England Free Jacks for the Eastern Conference title at Fort Quincy on Saturday.

Pumitas Blast Off in Junior World Championship
Argentina delivered an impressive opening performance in the Junior World Championship. Los Pumitas were convincing winners over Italy. The 43-15 victory saw the South Americans outscoring the European team by six tries to two. The pool also contains South Africa and Georgia. The hosts were given a fright by Georgia. Los Pumitas top the pool after one round.

Uruguayan Progress a sight for sore eyes
Los Teros confirmed a 46-man roster for 2023. The training squad contains all of the players under consideration to represent Uruguay at Rugby World Cup 2023. The roster has veterans of past Rugby World Cups as well as many looking to earn the right to play for their country on the grandest stage of them all for the first time. Uruguay’s roster is a combination of players from Super Rugby Americas, foreign leagues and Los Teros 7’s. Every player is from Uruguay and went through the domestic system. Uruguay will be one of only a few entirely homegrown teams competing at Rugby World Cup 2023.

Argentina Look the Real Deal
Argentina’s 48-man roster is powerful and threatening. It is a list that will scare many opponents. The roster is made-up of Argentina’s top players. They played this past season and / or next in locations around the world in including Australia, Italy, England, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales. Every elite league is represented. There will be ferocious competition for places with the final roster to be cut to 33.

Canada Finally Secure Matches
Canada have secured a tour this August. As part of the Rugby World Cup 2023 warm-up matches Canada will play two test matches in Tonga. The fixtures are to be Canada’s toughest assignment of 2023. Canada will play against Tonga in Nuku’alofa on August 10 and August 15. The matches are to be the first in Tonga since 2017. They are to be the Ikale Tahi’s only home matches during the Rugby World Cup 2019-2023 cycle. The matches will be just the second time Canada has played in Tonga. The first was in 1999.

New Blood Identified and Ready to Roar
Canada’s roster for Tonga contains 41 players. Not all will be on the touring squad. There are opportunities for uncapped players. New blood selected includes Jacob Bossi, D’Shawn Bowen, Liam Bowman, Ciaran Breen, Gabe Casey, Izzak Kelly, Travis Larsen, Cali Martinez, Takoda McMullin, Talon McMullin, Zephyr Melnyk, Mitch Richardson, Jack Shaw and Tyler Wong

Argentina Find Room for Three Uncapped Players
The Pumas longest contains three uncapped players. Martín Bogado, Luciano González and Rodrigo Isgró have all been included. Bogado has earned selection following appearances in the Top 14 for Bayonne and Super Rugby for the Highlanders. González and Isgró were stand-out performances for Los Pumas 7’s in their record-setting 2022-2023 season.

Final Shot to Impress the Chilean Boss
The Chile XV roster to face the California Grizzlies includes Selknam players Andrés Kuzmanic, Simón Donoso, Bruno Sáez, Jorge Delgado and Diego Warnken. In addition u20 players Martín Escobar, Sebastián Bianchi and Iñaki Tuset. There are also opportunities for some looking to return. Of note is American Raptors front-rower Sebastián Otero, Tomás Salas and Inti Ubeda. Ubeda last represented Chile in 2016.

 

UNDER

World Cup Dream Ends in Tatters
The dream of a third Rugby World Cup is over for Franco Lamanna. The Uruguayan will sit out Rugby World Cup 2023. Lamanna’s rugby career has come to an early end under unfortunate circumstances. He tested positive for caroxy-THC, a banned substance. He received a three-year-ban in Italy where he plays professionally for Mogliano. The ban is scheduled to conclude on October 20, 2026 when Lamanna will be aged 35.

Canadians Missing in Action 
Canada’s longlist for the tour to Tonga has several notable missing names with no European pros on the roster. Among those missing in action are forwards Tyler Ardron, Tyler Duguid, Evan Olmstead, Matt Tierney, and Matt Beukeboom. It does not come as a great surprise but one does wonder when – or if – they might pull on the Maple Leaf again.

Two Notable Names in France Miss Out
Argentina’s extensive roster came without Francisco Gorrissen and Benjamín Urdapilleta. They were the notable exclusions. The former played more rugby than every other player this past season in either the Pro D2 or Top 14. The latter was again a strong performer for Castres. Aged is not on his side, however. With him now being 37 the coaches have decided that the World Cup will be best with younger performers.

A giant to watch on from the sidelines
Argentina will be without Marcos Kremer for the 2023 Rugby Championship. The star flanker has been suspended for five weeks. Kremer was red carded playing for Stade Français in Top 14 barrage against Racing 92. The LNR suspended the Puma for eight weeks but reduced it by three after the player cooperated throughout the process and admitted to his guilt. The dangerous player was for a clean-out.