USA v URUGUAY WCQ AMERICA’S PLAYOFF 2nd LEG

29.03.2014

Venue: Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Kennesaw, Atlanta, Georgia

Referee: Greg Garner (England)

Preview
The general feeling from media last weekend was that the USA should win comfortably against Uruguay in Montevideo. How wrong they all were including me. The USA put up one of it’s least memorably displays of rugby, especially in the first half. It is highly unlikely that they will put in such an ordinary display again but that doubt has certainly given Uruguay some hope of making the America’s No.2 World Cup Finals spot.

History is against Uruguay playing away especially in the USA. They have never won there. The scores are tied 0-0 on aggregate so a win by either side will see them into the World Cup Finals in 2015.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: USA 14th, Uruguay 15th

IRB Ranking Points
USA 67.04, Uruguay 62.58

Prediction: USA by 9 points

TEAMS



Men's Eagles | v Uruguay
1. Olive Kilifi
2. Phil Thiel
3. Eric Fry
4. Louis Stanfill
5. Samu Manoa
6. Todd Clever (C)
7. Scott LaValla
8. Cam Dolan
9. Mike Petri
10. Toby L'Estrange
11. Luke Hume
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Seamus Kelly
14. Blaine Scully
15. Chris Wyles

Men's Eagles | Reserves
16. Tom Coolican
17. Nick Wallace
18. Titi Lamositele
19. Tai Tuisamoa
20. Kyle Sumsion
21. Shalom Suniula
22. Tim Maupin
23. Folau Niua

---

Uruguay
1. Aleja Corral
2. Arturo Avalo (C)
3. Oscar Duran
4. Santiago Vilaseca
5. Mathias Palomeque
6. Juan Manuel Gaminara
7. Diego Magno
8. Alejandro Nieto
9. Agustin Ormaechea
10. Felipe Berchesi
11. Jeronimo Etcheverry
12. Andres Vilaseca
13. Joaquin Prada
14. Leandro Leivas
15. Gaston Mieres

Uruguay | Reserves
16. Cristofer Soares de Lima
17. Rodolfo de Mula
18. Mario Sagario Cagnani
19. Carlos Pombo
20. Franco Lammana
21. Juan de Freitas Turcatti
22. Alejo Duran
23. Francisco Bulanti

Above team lists from http://usarugby.org/mens-eagles-news/item/roster-named-for-rwc-2015-qualifier-in-atlanta

URUGUAY 27, UNITED STATES 27

This was a very per performance by the USA team in the first leg America’s Playoff. Uruguay were always going to be tough at home. They will find the USA a stronger side at home in Atlanta this Saturday.

UNITED STATES v URUGUAY: World Cup Qualifier Americas Playoff 1st Leg

22.03.2013

Venue: Estadio Charrua, Montevideo

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

Preview
History is against Uruguay making it into the Rugby World Cup finals as Americas 2 team. Even if the USA stutter in Montevideo and drop the first leg the odds against Uruguay winning in the USA a very steep.

Last Five Encounters
21.11.2009 USA 27-9 in Lauderhill (WCQ Americas R2, Playoff, 2nd leg)
14.11.2009 USA 27-22 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas R2, Playoff, 1st Leg)
08.11.2008 USA 43-9 in Salt Lake City
07.10.2006 USA 33-7 in Stanford (WCQ Americas, repechage 2nd leg)
01.10.2006 USA 42-13 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas, repechage 1st leg)

Uruguay last defeated the USA in 2002, winning 10-9 in Montevideo in a World Cup qualifying game. These two teams first met in 1998 in Buenos Aires an a World Cup qualifying tournament. The USA won 21-16. The 2002 win was Uruguay’s only success v USA to date.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: USA 14th, Uruguay 22nd

IRB Ranking Points
USA 66.61, Uruguay 60.77

Prediction: The USA wont have it all their own way for the first hour. After that I’d expect more experience and better fitness to see the USA win fairly comfortably. USA by 13 points.

TEAMS

Uruguay
1 Alejo Corral
2 Arturo Avalo (c)
3 Oscar Durán
4 Mathias Palomeque
5 Santiago Vilaseca
6 Juan Gaminara
7 Diego Magno
8 Alejandro Nieto
9 Agustín Ormaechea
10 Felipe Berchesi
11 Jerónimo Etcheverry
12 Andrés Vilaseca
13 Joaquín Prada
14 Leandro Leivas
15 Gastón Mieres

16 Nicolás Klappenbach
17 Rodolfo De Mula
18 Mario Sagario
19 Cristofer Soares De Lima
20 Franco Lamanna
21 Juan De Freitas
22 Alejo Durán
23 Francisco Bulanti

United States
1 Olive Kilifi
2 Phil Thiel
3 Eric Fry
4 Hayden Smith
5 Samu Manoa
6 Todd Clever (c)
7 Scott LaValla
8 Cameron Dolan
9 Mike Petri
10 Toby L'Estrange
11 Tim Maupin
12 Andrew Suniula
13 Folau Niua
14 Blaine Scully
15 Chris Wyles

16 Tom Coolican
17 Nicholas Wallace
18 Titi Lamositele
19 Louis Stanfill
20 Kyle Sumsion
21 Shalom Suniula
22 Seamus Kelly
23 Luke Hume

Both teams from http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4515&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=30

6 NATIONS 2014 WRAP UP

15.03.2014
England 52, Italy 11 in Rome (6 Nations)
Wales 51, Scotland 3 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
Ireland 22, France 20 in Paris (6 Nations)

Review

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	PT
IRELAND	5	4	0	1	122	49	83	8
ENGLAND	5	4	0	1	138	65	73	8
FRANCE	5	3	0	2	101	100	1	6
WALES	5	3	0	2	122	79	43	6
SCOTLAND	5	1	1	4	47	138	-91	2
ITALY	5	0	0	5	63	172	-109	0

Ireland secured (just!) the 2014 6 Nations International Championship title and sent veteran and Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll the perfect send off. (He was also named man-of-the-match).

England and Wales won their games easily. England had already won the Triple Crown which is played between the ‘home’ unions, England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Next week the focus swings to the America’s where the United States and Uruguay playoff for the America’s 2 spot at the 2015 Rugby World Cup Finals.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 24 August

24.08.2013
New Zealand 27, Australia 16 in Wellington (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa 22, Argentina 17 in Mendoza (International Rugby Championship)
Canada 13, United States 11 in Toronto (WCQ Americas, NACRA R2, 2nd leg)
Singapore 30, Chinese-Taipei 19 in Singapore (Asia Tri-Nations)

Briefly
New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup with a convincing win in Wellington. Australia played with more purpose in the first half but gradually the All Blacks, along with some horror errors from the Aussies, took control as the game progressed.

South Africa were pushed to the limit by a rejuvenated Argentina in Mendoza whilst Canada took the 2015 Rugby World Cup Americas 1 spot in the finals with a close 13-11 win over the USA. The USA now face Uruguay in the first of the repechage playoffs in November.

Singapore improved its IRB ranking position with a 30-19 win over Chinese Taipei at home. Hong Kong ‘A’ won the tournament but this was a vital win for Singapore capping off a successful season having won promotion to Asia Nations Division 1 for 2014.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

24.08.2013
New Zealand v Australia in Wellington (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa v Argentina in Mendoza (International Rugby Championship)
United States v Canada in Toronto (WCQ Americas, NACRA R2, 2nd leg)
Singapore v Chinese-Taipei in Singapore (Asia Tri-Nations)

Previews
The New Zealand-Australia clash is previewed below. Because of other commitments the other rugby test matches are dealt with briefly here.

Argentina will look to claw back some respect when they host South Africa at home in Mendoza whilst Canada will look to cement their hold on the Americas 1 place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup Finals with a home win against neighbours USA.

Singapore and Chinese Taipei round off the Asia Tri-Nations tournament in Singapore.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: 24-25 August

24.08.2013
New Zealand v Australia in Wellington (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa v Argentina in Mendoza (International Rugby Championship)
United States v Canada in Toronto (WCQ Americas, NACRA R2, 2nd leg)
Singapore v Chinese-Taipei in Singapore (Asia Tri-Nations)

25.08.2013
Venezuela v Colombia in Asuncion (CONSUR B)
Paraguay v Peru in Asuncion (CONSUR B)

Briefly
Australia face an uphill battle to square the Bledisloe Cup series with New Zealand in Wellington. Another loss and the Cup stays with New Zealand.

Argentina will be licking lips at the prospect of entertaining the Springbox at home. Last year they managed a draw at home and will be looking to turn around their fortunes from last weekend.

Like Australia, the USA faces a struggle to pass Canada in their away clash. Down by an aggregate of 17 points they need to win by 18 to push the Canadians to the repechage stage and take the Americas 1 spot at the 2015 Rugby World Cup Finals.

On Sunday the CONSUR B competition gets underway in Paraguay.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 17 August

17.08.2013
New Zealand 47, Australia 29 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa 73, Argentina 13 in Bloemfontein (International Rugby Champ.)
Canada 27, United States 9 in Charleston (WCQ Americas, NACRA R2, 1^st leg)

Briefly
New Zealand and South Africa zipped off the starting blocks in the Rugby Championship with big wins. Their 47-29 and 73-13 wins over Australia and Argentina respectively mean they have gained maximum points from their first outings.

New Zealand just had too much pace and out-muscled their Trans-Tasman rivals at breakdowns. New Zealand celebrated their 100th win over Australia in style. Australia will need to smarten things up before their return clash in Wellington. It’s not going to get easy.

South Africa easily accounted for Argentina at home. The visitors didn’t help their own cause with two yellow cards in the match. It’s an area they’ll have to clean up before they take on South Africa again next weekend at home in Mendoza.

Canada placed one hand firmly on the Americas 1 place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup with a 27-9 away win against the USA. It wasn’t a great match. The USA fumbled and bumbled their way through the match and never really threatened their northern neighbours. The USA’s task is now very difficult, having to win by 18 or more points away against Canada again next weekend.

CANADA v UNITED STATES: World Cup Qualifier, Americas, Round 2

17.08.2013

Venue: Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina

Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)

Preview
The Americas 1 spot at the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals is up for grabs. Canada and the USA will play a 2 leg playoff over the next two weekends to decide who the Americas team will be. This first leg is crucial. The decision is made on points aggregate so a good winning margin first up up is vital.

Last Five Encounters
25.05.2013 Canada 16-9 in Edmonton (Pacific Nations Cup)
09.06.2012 Canada 28-26 in Kingston (Can-Am Trophy)
13.08.2011 Canada 27-7 in Glendale (World Cup Warmup)
06.08.2011 Canada 28-22 in Toronto (World Cup Warmup)
11.07.2009 Canada 41-18 in Edmonton (WCQ America R2 Final, 2nd leg)

USA last defeated Canada in 2009, winning 12-6 in Charleston.

Canada Last Five Test Matches
19.06.2013 v Japan L 13-16 in Nagoya (Pacific Nations Cup)
16.06.2013 v Ireland L 14-40 in Toronto
08.06.2013 v Tonga W 36-27 in Ottawa (Pacific Nations Cup)
05.06.2013 v Fiji W 20-18 in Ottawa (Pacific Nations Cup)
25.05.2013 v United States W 16-9 in Edmonton (Pacific Nations Cup)

United States Last Five Test Matches

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Canada 12th, United States 22nd
NACRA Table: Canada 1st, United States 2nd

IRB Ranking Points
Canada 71.55, USA 67.64

Prediction: Canada by 4 points

Milestones
This will be the 50th rugby test match between these two North American neighbours and rivals.

Should he run onto the park from the bench ‘Titi Lamositele will do so at 18 years, 188 days. The previous youngest Eagle was Thretton Palamo, who became the youngest-ever 15s World Cup participant in 2007 when he played against South Africa at 19 years, 8 days.’
http://www.rugbymag.com/usa-men/9046-titi-lamositele-could-make-history.html

TEAMS

Canada

15		James Pritchard	Bedford Blues, England
14		Matthew Evans	Cornish Pirates, England
13		Ciaran Hearn	Atlantic Rock
12		Nicholas Blevins	Prairie Wolf Pack
11		DTH Van Der Merwe,	Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
10		Harold Jones	British Colombia Bears
9		Philip Mack	British Colombia Bears
8		Aaron Carpenter (Capt.)	Cornish Pirates, England
7		John Moonlight	Ontario Blues
6		Tyler Ardron	Ontario Blues
5		James Cudmore	AS Clermont Auvergne, France
4		Jebb Sinclair	London Irish, England
3		Jason Marshall	Atlantique Stade Rochelais, France
2		Ryan Hamilton	British Columbia Bears
1		Andrew Tiedemann	Prairie Wolf Pack
16		Raymond Barkwill	Ontario Blues
17		Thomas Dolezel	Ontario Blues
18		Douglas Wooldridge	Ontario Blues
19		Tyler Hotson	London Scottish, England
20		Nanyak Dala	Prairie Wolf Pack
21		Sean White	British Columbia Bears
22		Nathan Hirayama	British Columbia Bears
23		Phil Mackenzie	Sale Sharks, England
		HEAD COACH: Kieran Crowley

United States

15		Christopher Wyles	Saracens, England
14		Takudzwa Ngwenya	Biarritz Olympique, France
13		Seamus Kelly	University of California RFC
12		Andrew Suniula	Chicago Griffins RFC
11		Blaine Scully	USA 7's Team
10		Tobias L'Estrange	New York Athletic Club
9		Michael Petri	New York Athletic Club
8		Todd Clever (Capt.)	NTT Shining Arc, Japan
7		Peter Dahl	Belmont Shore RFC
6		Scott LaValla	Stade Francais, France
5		Samu Manoa	Northampton Saints, England
4		Louis Stanfill	Vicenza Gers, Italy
3		Eric Fry	London Scottish, England
2		Christopher Biller	San Francisco Golden Gate RC
1		Shawn Pittman	Trinity College RFC, Dublin
16		Zachary Fenoglio	Glendale Raptors RFC
17		Titi Lamositele	Chuckanut Bay HS
18		Philip Thiel	Life University RFC
19		Brian Doyle	New York Athletic Club
20		Cameron Dolan	Life University RFC
21		Robert Shaw	Richmond RFC, England
22		Folau Niua	San Francisco Golden Gate RC
23		Roland Suniula	CS Vienne, France
		HEAD COACH: Michael Tolkin

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND 17 AUGUST

17.08.2013
New Zealand v Australia in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship)
South Africa v Argentina in Bloemfontein (International Rugby Championship)
Canada v United States in Charleston (WCQ Americas)

Briefly
It has been over a month since the last test rugby match was played world wide.

This weekend the big Southern Hemisphere Championship begins with New Zealand and Australia clash for the Bledisloe Cup whilst Argentina travels to South Africa.

Canada and the United States plays the first of a 2 leg clash to claim the Americas 1 place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 4 May

04.05.2013
Japan 64, Korea 5 in Tokyo (WCQ Asia; Asia Five Nations)
Hong Kong 59, Philippines 20 in Manilla (WCQ Asia; Asia Five Nations)
Uruguay 23, Chile 9 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A)
Argentina 83, Brazil 0 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A)
USA South 9, Cayman Islands 7 in Marietta (NACRA Caribb.Champ, North R2)

Briefly
Uruguay is the team that has qualified for repechage rounds. They defeated Chile in the final CONSUR match. Brazil’s 0-83 loss to Argentina means they will probably, as per last year, play the CONSUR B winner at some stage.

Japan took a firm grip on the No.1 spot in Asia with an easy win over Korea. Hong Kong stormed back in the second half to defeat Philippines in Manilla. This sets up the Hong Kong-Korea clash on 18 May as most likely decider for that second Asian World Cup qualifying place and a chance to qualify for the finals via repechage rounds.

The USA South continued its winning ways with a close 9-7 win in appalling conditions in Marietta, Georgia.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: CONSUR A 4 May

04.05.2013
Chile v Uruguay in Montevideo (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A)

Venue: Estadio Charrúa

Preview
This is the game that will decide who is placed second in CONSUR A 2013. As Argentina has already qualified the contest is between Chile and Uruguay.

Uruguay already has many advantages over Chile. Firstly they have been involved in June tournaments in Europe for a number of years. They have a cross-border competition set up with Argentina. They also have the home advantage.

For Chile there is little to indicate they will defeat Uruguay. They played a weaker team against Argentina mid-weak with this match in mind. Their record against Uruguay has nevertheless been impressive over the last two seasons. Uruguay may not have put forward their strongest combinations in this tournament over the last two seasons but Chile won last year and lost by a point the year before.

Last Five Encounters
23.05.2012 Uruguay 27-26 in Santiago (CONSUR A)
20.05.2011 Chile 21-18 in Iguazu (CONSUR A Preliminary)
19.05.2010 Uruguay 36-19 in Santiago (CONSUR A)
02.05.2009 Uruguay 43-9 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas R2; CONSUR A)
22.11.2008 Uruguay 46-12 in Montevideo (CONSUR A)

Previous Results
Day 1
Chile 38, Brazil 22 in Temuca (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A
Argentina 29, Uruguay 18 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A)

Day 2
Argentina 84, Chile 10 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A)
Uruguay 58, Brazil 7 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A)

Prediction: Uruguay by 17 points

TEAMS

Chile:
1- Francisco Deformes, 2- Manuel Gurruchaga, 3- Sergio De la Fuente; 4- Matías Cabrera, 5- Pablo Huete; 6- Benjamín Soto, 7- Rolando Pellerano, 8- Rodrigo Tobar (C); 9- Juan Pablo Perrota, 10- Francisco Cruz; 11- Pedro Verschae, 12- José Ignacio Larenas, 13- Felipe Brangier, 14- Francisco Neira; 15- Javier Valderrama.
Suplentes: 16- Felipe Díaz, 17- Renzo Bacigaluppo, 18- Roberto Oyarzún, 19- Paul Rasmussen, 20- Simón Pardakthy, 21- Atilio Menichetti, 22- Álvaro Tapia, 23- Felipe Porter.
Entrenador: Omar Turcuman

Uruguay:
1- Rodolfo De Mula, 2- Arturo Avalo (C), 3- Oscar Duran; 4- Mathias Palomeque, 5- Alejandro Nieto; 6- Santiago Vilaseca, 7- Juan Gaminara, 8- Diego Magno; 9- Agustñin Ormaechea, 10- Alejo Duran; 11- Andrés Vilaseca, 12- Alberto Roman, 13- Santiago Gibernau, 14- Leandro Leivas, 15- Gastón Mieres.
Suplentes: 16- Alejo Corral, 17- Mario Sagario, 18- Juan De Freitas, 19- Juan Ormaechea, 20- Cristofer Soares de Lima, 21- Guillermo Lijtenstein, 22- Francisco Bulanti, 23- Nicolas Klappenbach
Entrenadores: Pablo Lemoine y Emiliano Caffera.

Kick Off: 15:15 hs
Cancha: Estadio Charrúa (Montevideo, Uruguay)
Referee: Francisco Pastrana (ARG)
Referee Asistente 1: Santiago ALTOBELLI(ARG)
Referee Asistente 2: Carlos POGGI(ARG)

Argentina v Brazil in Montevideo (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A)

Briefly
This is the other game to be played. I cannot see Brazil getting anywhere near the Argentina side even if it’s their fourth strongest side available. I’d expect a better performance than Wednesday’s heavy loss to Uruguay and their 100-point loss last year.

Prediction: Argentina by 60 points

TEAMS

Argentina:
1- Ignacio Sáenz Lancuba, 2- Gonzalo Manso, 3- Matias Diaz; 4- Tomás Lavanini, 5- Tomás Borghi; 6- Martin Chiappesoni, 7- Pablo Matera, 8- Santiago Rocchia; 9- Santiago Méndez (C), 10- Sebastian Poet; 11- Germán Schultz, 12- Juan Cappiello, 13- Santiago Álvarez, 14- Tomás Carrió; 15- Patricio Fernández.
Suplentes: 16- Mauricio Guidone, 17- Santiago García Botta, 18- Tomás Gilardon, 19- César Fruttero, 20- Fidel Lamy, 21- Pedro Imhoff, 22- Macario Villaluenga, 23- Joaquin Paz (Pucará).
Entrenadores: Martin Gaitán y Mauricio Reggiardo

Brasil:
1- Lucas Abud, 24- Daniel Danielewick (C), 3- Jardel Vettorato; 4- Lucas Croffi, 5- Lucas Piero; 6- Danilo Taino, 7- Saulo Oliveira, 8- Matheus Daniel; 9- Leandro Castiglione, 10- Lucas Duque; 11- Allan Martins, 12- Pedro Henrique Lopes, 13- Gustavo Baldino Krahembuhl, 14- Matheus Silva; 15- Daniel Gregg.
Suplentes: 16- Nelson Oliveira Santos, 17- Jardel Mendonça, 18- Marcelo Bellorio, 19- Carlos Henrique, 20- João Neto, 21- Paulo Santos, 22- Lucas Tranquez, 23- Leonardo Frota.
Entrenador: Scott Robertson.

Kick off: 13:00 hs
Cancha: Estadio Charrúa (Montevideo, Uruguay)
Referee: Joaquin Montes (URU)
Referee Asistente 1: Alejandro Longres (URU)
Referee Asistente 2: Francisco González (URU)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Argentina v Brazil in Montevideo (WCQ Americas; CONSUR A)