Samoa

Connor Braid is back. The 26-year-old has not played for Canada since a nasty collision with Italy’s Gonzalo García last September left him with a broken jaw and a bad concussion. After reportedly contemplating retirement, he returned to the pitch with James Bay in the spring but did not make …

Manu Samoa head coach Alama Ieremia had confirmed a 33-man traveling squad for their European tour to face France, Georgia, and Canada in November. A number of overseas professionals are present along with five members of the Samoa ‘A’ team that participated in the Americas Pacific Challenge. Six uncapped players …

Through international competition rugby has expanded significantly. Over the duration of one generation there have emerged increasingly competitive teams from a variety of continents. Indeed Argentina, Japan and Georgia all lit up Rugby World Cup 2015. Yet many facets of rugby being an Old Boy’s Club remain strong. Few leading …

The Argentina XV defeated the Fiji Warriors by the slimmest of margins with Juan Cruz González’s conversion of a Pedro Ortega try in extra time handing the South Americans the win by 27-26 at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo on Sunday. In doing so Argentina have been named champions of …

Uruguay ‘A’ stunned the USA Selects 47-15 in their final round match-up at the Americas Pacific Challenge in Montevideo on Sunday afternoon. The hosts enjoyed vast superiority in the set piece and showed some impressive attacking play in the loose. Short bursts of positive rugby were enjoyed by both teams …

A dominant scrum and plenty of possession was not enough to get Canada ‘A’ the win in their last match of the Americas Pacific Challenge, as Samoa ‘A’ emerged victorious by a final score of 27-22. Three tries were scored by each side but the left boot of Jack Saena …

The third and final round of the Americas Pacific Challenge takes place on Sunday at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo. Appropriately the grand finale between the Argentina XV and Fiji Warriors will decide the championship, with the other four teams fighting for pride and possible spots on their respective November …

The home fans had little to cheer about as Uruguay ‘A’ were pulverized by the Argentina XV to the tune of 71 points on Wednesday. A try to Andrés Rocco early in the second half saved Uruguay the added embarrassment of a shutout, but it was otherwise one-way traffic with …

A dreadful second half collapse saw Canada ‘A’ drop their Americas Pacific Challenge match to the USA Selects by a final score of 47-37. On paper the 10-point margin is disappointing but not in itself distressing. The manner of the loss, however, will require much review after Canada surrendered 34 …

The Fiji Warriors have kept their Americas Pacific Challenge title hopes alive with a comfortable 39-26 win over Samoa ‘A’ in Montevideo on Wednesday. While the score leaned strongly towards the Fijians they were made to work for it with Samoa staying within one score until the final quarter. There …