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If there were to be a hypothetical composite team from the Americas to face Argentina what could this team look like? This is the question of the day. Players considered for such a team must be current test players captured by an Americas team other than Argentina.
An Americas XV to face Argentina would be made up of players fro Tier 2 countries. As demonstrated at Rugby World Cup 2023 and at prior tournaments, there have been Tier 2 players who stand out above the rest. Many neutrals praised Uruguay’s Santiago Arata and Chile’s Iñaki Ayarza at France 2023. At Japan 2019 it was Tyler Ardron for Canada while it was Dan Lyle for the USA in Australia 2003.
THE FRONT-ROW
Could a solid platform be assembled for the scrum? Yes. There are players from both North America and South America who would be in the conversation for a place in the Americas Tier 2 XV to face Argentina.
David Ainu’u looms as the starting loose head with Mateo Sanguinetti and Salvador Lues being additional options. Joe Taufete’e would be considered for either tight-head or hooker but Titi Lamositele is out of consideration after changing allegiance from his native USA to play for Samoa.
Rugby Canada’s problems have seen Canada playing without their top team. One player to be an example is Matt Tierney. He would be an option for tight-head. Chile’s Matías Dittus is another as are Uruguayans Diego Arbelo and Ignacio Péculo.
In addition to Taufete’e, other candidates for hooker are Uruguayan Germán Kessler and Chileans Diego Escobar and Tomás Dussaillant. Brazil’s Wilton Rebolo is another option. He can also play across the front-row.
Verdict:
1 David Ainu’u (USA)
2 Germán Kessler (Uruguay)
3 Matías Dittus (Chile)
THE SECOND-ROW
There is no shortage of tall-timber to consider for the second-row. This includes options from both Colombia and Paraguay. Despite being still just 27-years-old, Andrés Zafra is into his ninth season of playing professional rugby in France. Meanwhile, Mariano Garcete was a standout in Super Rugby Americas 2023. He was easily the leading Paraguayan and was among the best second-rowers in the league.
Canadians Matt Beukeboom and Tyler Duguid are two names of note. The former is capped but has not played for an extended period while the latter continues to be uncapped for his homeland. Duguid is showing his skills in the Top 14.
Duguid plays for Montpellier while Manuel Leindekar plays for Bayonne. In addition, Greg Peterson continues to play well in the English Premiership. Also to be factored in are Rugby World Cup 2023 players. Leindekar was joined by Felipe Aliaga who made a huge leap to prove he had what was required to play against the very best. Clemente Saavedra and Javier Eissmann both performed well for Chile.
Verdict:
4 Manuel Leindekar (Uruguay)
5 Tyler Duguid (Canada)
THE BACK-ROW
Canada missed the World Cup but, make no mistake, former captain Tyler Ardron is playing marvelous rugby for Castres. He would be a strong contender to start at the back of the scrum. Other candidates come in the form of Chile’s Alfonso Escobar and Uruguay’s Manuel Diana.
Chilean captain Martín Sigren was one of the most improved players during the Rugby World Cup 2019-2023 cycle. He will become increasingly familiar to Major League Rugby (MLR) viewers in 2024. Lucas Rumball is another flanker of note from the Americas.
There are Uruguayans of note across all three back-row positions. Manuel Ardao is the leading exponent of the jackal and Santiago Civetta is a proven performer. Carlos Deus and Lucas Bianchi both burst onto the scene in 2022.
Verdict:
6 Manuel Ardao (Uruguay)
7 Carlos Deus (Uruguay)
8 Tyler Ardron (Canada)
THE HALVES
Chilean halves Marcelo Torrealba and Rodrigo Fernández proved to be very entertaining at the World Cup. Their first half against Japan saw both men winning over neutrals. Uruguay Santiago Arata is world-class and formed a notable combination with Felipe Etcheverry. Felipe Berchesi was a stand-out replacement fly half.
Both the USA and Canada have scrum-halves and fly halves of note. Ruben de Haas and AJ MacGinty have regularly been among the top performers for the Eagles. Options playing for the test team North of the border include Ross Braude and Peter Nelson.
Verdict:
9 Santiago Arata (Uruguay)
10 Rodrigo Fernández (Chile)
THE CENTERS
Uruguay captain Andrés Vilaseca had a strong 2023 and has been a good fit for Vannes in France. Both Tomás Inciarte and Felipe Arcos Pérez have played well at outside center which has seen Nicolás Freitas playing wing.
Canadian Ben Le Sage has delivered for his country. Veteran Bryce Campbell is a reliable selection and was joined by Italian convert Tommaso Boni, and the young Tavite Lopeti for the recent successful series in Spain.
The Chilean regular mid-field of Matías Garafulic and Domingo Saavedra may be the best Americas center combination outside of Los Pumas. They delivered in the World Cup qualifiers, in Super Rugby Americas and at the World Cup itself.
Verdict:
12 Andrés Vilaseca (Uruguay)
13 Domingo Saavedra (Chile)
THE BACK-THREE
Uruguay’s back-three at the World Cup contained two Sevens players. This proved to be a potent weapon which enabled for a larger player base. With Peñarol and foreign clubs factoring in, Uruguay’s stocks in 2023 proved to be at an all-time high.
Canadians Cooper Coats and Andrew Coe have both impressed in recent years. Nate Augspurger regularly puts up his hand too. The North Americans would have competition from the South Pacific Ocean coast as both Iñaki Ayarza and Santiago Videla. Ayarza was a stand-out against fanciest opposition at the World Cup.
Verdict:
11 Nicolás Freitas (Uruguay)
14 Bautista Basso (Uruguay)
15 Baltazar Amaya (Uruguay)
AMERICAS TIER 2 XV
1 David Ainu’u (USA)
2 Germán Kessler (Uruguay)
3 Matías Dittus (Chile)
4 Manuel Leindekar (Uruguay)
5 Tyler Duguid (Canada)
6 Manuel Ardao (Uruguay)
7 Carlos Deus (Uruguay)
8 Tyler Ardron (Canada)
9 Santiago Arata (Uruguay)
10 Rodrigo Fernández (Chile)
11 Nicolás Freitas (Uruguay)
12 Andrés Vilaseca (Uruguay)
13 Domingo Saavedra (Chile)
14 Bautista Basso (Uruguay)
15 Baltazar Amaya (Uruguay)
16 Diego Escobar (Chile)
17 Mateo Sanguinetti (Uruguay)
18 Joe Taufete’e (USA)
19 Greg Peterson (USA)
20 Martín Sigren (Chile)
21 Marcelo Torrealba (Chile)
22 Felipe Etcheverry (Uruguay)
23 Iñaki Ayarza (Chile)
