Argentine players named in Italian World Cup Squad

Italian international rugby coach, Nick Mallet, has announced a previsionary squad of 43 players for Rugby World Cup 2011. Six of the players listed are from Argentina The final squad will be thirty players and it is therefore highly unlikely that an player not named in Mallet´s squad of 43 will have a chance of selection for New Zealand 2011. The squad includes the return of Italian star backrower, Mauro Bergamasco who has been out through injury for most of the season and missed Italy´s Six Nations campaign as well as Italy´s home internationals in November. In his place, Italy found suitable replacements and played some enterprizing rugby which included a first ever Six Nations triumph over France - Italy´s most important win of all time.

Mallet´s Argentine squad members includes two forwards and four backs. In the forwards are Leicester Tigers tighthead prop, Martín Castrogiovanni and Stade Français backrower, Sergio Parisse who will captain Italy in the sides quest to be the first ever Italian side to reach the Quarter Final stage of a Rugby World Cup. In the backs, there are four Argentine born players in scrumhalf Pablo Canavosio, flyhalf Luciano Orquera and centres Gonzalo García and Gonzalo Canale. Racing Metro secondrower, Santiago Dellapé has not been included as he recently retired from international rugby leaving Italy with a huge void to fill.


Provisionary World Cup squad

Loosehead Prop: Alberto de Marchi (25, Aironi, Uncapped), Andrea Lo Cicero (35, Racing-Métro, France 86 caps), Salvatore Perugini (33, Aironi, 80 caps)


Hooker: Tommaso d'Apice (22, Aironi, Uncapped), Carlo Festuccia (30, Racing-Métro, France 51 caps), Leonardo Ghiraldini (26, Treviso, 37 caps, vice captain), Fabio Ongaro (33, Aironi, 76 caps)


Tighthead Prop: Martín Castrogiovanni (29, Leicester, England, 76 caps), Lorenzo Cittadini (28, Treviso, 4 caps)


Secondrow: Marco Bortolami (30, Aironi, 84 caps), Carlo Antonio del Fava (29, Aironi, 52 caps), Joshua Furno (21, Aironi, Uncapped), Quintin Geldenhuys (29, Aironi, 21 caps), Corniel van Zyl (32, Treviso, Uncapped)


Backrow: Robert Barbieri (26, Treviso, 14 caps), Mauro Bergamasco (32, Stade Français, France 84 caps), Valerio Bernabò (27, Treviso, 19 caps) Paul Derbyshire (24, Treviso, 10 caps), Sergio Parisse,  (27, Stade Français, France 77 caps, captain), Manoa Vosawai (27, Treviso, 8 caps), Alessandro Zanni (27, Treviso, 52 caps)


Scrumhalf: Pablo Canavosio (29, Aironi, 36 caps), Edoardo Gori (21, Treviso, 3 caps), Fabio Semenzato (25, Treviso, 4 caps)


Flyhalf: Riccardo Bocchino (23, Aironi, 6 caps), Kris Burton (30, Treviso, 9 caps), Durandt Gerber (29, GranDucato Parma, Uncapped), Craig Gower (33, Bayonne, France, 14 caps), Luciano Orquera (29, Brive, France, 22 caps)


Centre: Gonzalo Canale (28, Clermont, France, 66 caps), Gonzalo García (27, Treviso, 21 caps), Gilberto Pavan (24, Aironi, Uncapped), Andrea Pratichetti (22, Treviso, Uncapped), Matteo Pratichetti (25, Aironi, 22 caps), Alberto Sgarbi (24, Treviso, 12 caps)


Wing: Tommaso Benvenuti (20, Treviso, 6 caps), Mirco Bergamasco (28, Racing-Métro, France, 81 caps), Denis Majstorovic (21, Cavalieri Prato, Uncapped), Michele Sepe (24, Treviso, 3 caps), Giulio Toniolatti (27, Aironi, 5 caps)


Fullback: Andrea Masi (30, Aironi, 60 caps), Luke McLean (23, Treviso, 28 caps), Ruggero Trevisan (21, Aironi, Uncapped)

Guyana and Bahamas win in 2011 NACRA Championship

Two international matches took place over the weekend involving four international sides from North America. The North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Championship divided into the Northern and Southern zones had two international matches with IRB rankings on the lines an most importantly a chance of qualifying for the Final which will feature the top qualifying side from the North vs the South. The competing teams are all member nations of NACRA.

Mexico had won the right to face the Bahamas in Nassau after defeating the Cayman Islands 34-20 on May 15th, in the NACRA Men's 15 a-side Round 1 North final, in Mexico City. Mexico now have the coming days to preapre to face Bermuda at home on June 4th. Mexico´s win over the Cayman Islands was tough as scores were level at 17-17 after 54 minutes. The Cayman Islands were leading 20-17 shortly therafter but scored three late tries to pull off a 34-20 win. It should be a significant match as Bermuda defeated the Bahamas in an earlier match. The team who finishes first will go on to the Final as the Northern Caribbean champion.

In the Southern Group, last years champion Guyana pulled off a tight but highly important 22-20 victory of Trinidad & Tobago in the Port of Spain. Guyana will play against Barbados at home in the next match and require a victory to qualify for the final. Barbados can also still make the final if they defeated Guyana. The bonus point loss puts Trinidad & Tobago in first place but all but ends the sides chances of winning the Southern zone as Guyana are only a single point behind. Trinidad & Tobago defeated neighbours Barbados 17-10 in the first round on May 23.

Northern Group Standings
Bahamas  5
Bermuda 4
Mexico 1 (game in hand)

Southern Group Standings

Trinidad & Tobago 5
Guyana 4
Barbados 1 (game in hand)

With Thanks: www.nawira.com

Aviva Premiership Final - Saracens crowned English Champions

Playing in their seventh consecutive English Premierhsip Final and looking to lift the title for the third year running, the Leicester Tigers went into the 2010-2011 Aviva Premiership Final looking like lifting the trophy for the third year in a row. Their opponents had a great English season but a poor showing in the Heineken Cup and as such were the clear under-dogs. Saracens, however was out for revenge after going down 33-27 in an epic final last season. This seasons final was not as muxch of a spectacule but will go down as history making as it was the first time that Saracens have been English champions. Leicester still remain easily the most successful team in the history of Premiership Rugby having won the title on nine occassions with Bath and London Wasps next in line with six championships each.

Saracens were the better side in defeating the Tigers by 22-18 and had to withstand a late period of attack from Leicester on their tryline. It was a game with only one try with Saracens right winger James Short crossing in the 29th minute of the first half after flyhalves Owen Farrell and Toby Flood has slotted two penalties each in the first 20 minutes. Short´s try put the London based side ahead 13-6 and was followed by a penalty to each side which gave Saracens a seven point lead at half time. Farrell extended the lead two minutes into the second half before Flood hit back with two penalties to make it 19-15 with ten minutes to play. They exchanged penalties making it 22-18 with three minutes left on the clock which saw Saracens home.

Farrell´s six penalties out of six attempts was the difference. The son of English international centre from France 2007 was joined by Argentine born Italian international tighthead prop, Carlos Nieto in the starting XV as well as USA international Chris Wyles at centre. Saracens also had international players from England, Namibia, Scotland and South Africa. Leicester had test players from Argentina, England, New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga to highlight the increasingly global game of rugby. With players from such a varity of countries competing in the English Premiership Final there is plenty of reason for Rugby World Cup 2023 to go to a new location with Argentina being the clear choice. Leicester had Argentine international loosehead prop, Marcos Ayerza in the starting lineup. Ayerza packed down alongside Argentine born Italian international tighthead prop, Martín Castrogiovanni. Pumas winger, Horacio Agulla started in the 14 shirt as he ends a successful first season at Leicester.

Leicester Tigers

15 Scott Hamilton (New Zealand)
14 Horacio Agulla (Argentina)
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Alesana Tuilagi (Samoa)
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
8 Jordan Crane
7 Craig Newby (New Zealand)
6 Tom Croft
5 George Skivington
4 Steve Mafi (Tonga)
3 Martin Castrogiovanni (Italy)
2 George Chuter
1 Marcos Ayerza (Argentina)

Saracens

15 Alex Goode
14 David Strettle
13 Chris Wyles (USA)
12 Brad Barritt
11 James Short
10 Owen Farrell
9 Neil de Kock (South Africa)
8 Ernst Joubert (South Africa)
7 Jacques Burger (Namibia)
6 Kelly Brown (Scotland)
5 Mouritz Botha (South Africa)
4 Steve Borthwick
3 Carlos Nieto (Italy)
2 Schalk Brits (South Africa)
1 Matt Stevens

Montpellier into first ever Top 14 Final

History was made in Marseilles on Saturday afternoon as mediteranean French side Montpellier booked its place in the Top 14 Final for the first time in history by defeating Racing Metro 26-25 in a battle of epic proportions. The hero? None other than a player from the Argentine city of Córdoba who kicked Montpellier into the Tóp 14 final in dramatic fashion after slotting a penalty goal in the 79th minute which gave Montpellier a one point victory. The player is yet to make his senior debut for Argentina but is certain to be selected for Rugby World Cup 2011 and to do so ahead of a number of players who have been playing wing for Argentina in recent years. 25 year old Martín Javier Bustos Moyano played for Argentina vs Chile in 2008 in a match in which the entire squad of Pumas was amateur. he was a part of the Pumas squads to tour Europe in 2009 and 2010 but did not play. Bustos Moyano scored 16 of Montpellier´s 26 points.

The match started with Racing Metro on top as the Parisians played a great first 10 minutes and went ahead 3-0 with a long range penalty to South African international François Steyn. With hooker Fabien Rofes yellowcarded in the thirteenth minutes signs were ominous for Montpellier but French flyhalf, Johnathan Wisniewski had a forgetable performance with the boot as he let Montpellier off the hook on several occassions. The scores were leveled in the 12th minute with Bustos Moyano slotting his first penalty before he traded penalties with Wisniewski to make it 6-6 in the 18th minute. By now, Montpellier were having the better of play and they took their chance in the 32nd minute when centre Sylvain Mirande crossed for the games first try. With Bustos Moyano adding the extras Montpellier went into the interval leading 13-6.

In the first minute of the second half Argentine international centre Santiago Fernández put Montpellier in total control as he crossed for his sides second try which put Montpellier 20-6 ahead following Bustos Moyano´s successful conversion. Bustos Moyano slotted a penalty in the 50th minute but Racing Metro showed true fighting sprit and fought back strongly. Fijian international winger, Sireli Bobo scored the Parisians first try in the 51st minute and the game was turned on its head immediately thereafter as French international flyhalf, François Trinh-Duc was yellow carded. Nerves kicked in for Montpellier and Racing Metro took firm control of the match while Montpellier made a number of substitutions. With twenty minutes left on the clock Wisniewski scored a converted try to cut Montpellier´s lead to 23-18. Racing Metro then made three substitutions including replacing Benjamin Sa with Argentine tighthead prop Juan Orlandi. With six minutes remaining in the match Racing Metro took the lead following a 74th minute converted try to replacement backrower, Jone Qovu of Fiji.

It appeared as if Racing Metro had ended Montpellier´s quest to reach the final but Córdoba´s Martín Bustos Moyano stepped up to slot a 79th minute penalty to regain the lead. Racing Metro had a late chance to secure victory as Wisniewski attempted a drop goal but it was unsuccessful and fullback Benjamin Thiéry brought the game to a close as he kicked the ball out of play to the applause of a packed Stade Velodrome. Ther result means the Top 14 Orange will to be played on June 04 will be contested between 17 time champion Toulouse and the major underdog, Montpellier.

Racing Metro´s season is now over and a number of players will now go away to train with the national squad ahead of New Zealand 2011. Orlandi and his Racing Metro colleague, Alvaro Galindo, who started in the 7 shirt in the semi final loss will both be in Argentina´s squad to take on the French Barbarians. So global is the Top 14 that in addition to the Fijian pair of Bobo and Qovu, Racing Metro also had South Africans in Jacques Cronje and François Steyn and New Zealander Johnny Leo'o. Montpellier had three Pumas in the starting lineup with Bustos Moyano and Fernández being joined by Pumas prop Juan Figallo who had another impressive match as he pushes Rodrigo Roncero and Marcos Ayerza for the Argentina loosehead prop position. Montpellier also had two Georgian internationals in the starting XV with Giorgi Jgenti playing with Figallo in the frontrow and Mamuka Gorgodze, who put in a standout performance in the backrow. South African, Dirkus Hancke started in the secondrow while the Fijian duo of Timoci Nagasa and Masi Matadigo started at wing and number.

Montpellier

15 Benjamin Thiery
14 Timoci Nagusa (Fiji)
13 Sylvain Mirande
12 Santiago Fernandez (Argentina)
11 Martín Bustos Moyano (Argentina)
10 Francois Trinh-Duc
9 Julien Tomas
8 Masi Matadigo (Fiji)
7 Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)
6 Fulgence Ouedraogo
5 Aliki Fakate
4 Dirkus Hancke (South Africa)
3 Giorgi Jgenti (Georgia)
2 Fabien Rofes
1 Juan Figallo (Argentina)

Racing Metro

15 Benjamin Fall
14 Sireli Bobo (Fiji)
13 Henry Chavancy
12 Frans Steyn (South Africa)
11 Julien Saubade
10 Jonathan Wisniewski
9 Mathieu Loree
8 Jacques Cronje (South Africa)
7 Alvaro Galindo (Argentina)
6 Johnny Leo'o (New Zealand)
5 Lionel Nallet
4 Karim Ghezal
3 Benjamin Salemane Sa
2 Benjamin Noirot
1 Julien Brugnaut

Highlights in French

Rugby : Montpellier en finale du Top 14 por BFMTV

Highlights in Spanish

Toulouse storm into Top 14 Final

The final game for the Argentina international frontrow duo of hooker Mario Ledesma and tighthead prop Martín Scelzo was not a memorable match as Toulouse powered home in defeating last seasons Top 14 champions, Clermont 29-6 on Friday evening. Ledesma has now finished his six year stay at Clermont and tenth year overall in France and wil retire from all rugby after New Zealand 2011 to take up a coaching post at Stade Français. Martín Scelzo, on the other hand, is leaving the central French club to join Agen on a two year deal. The two tries to nil demolition puts Toulouse into the Top14 Final to be played on June 04 at the Stade de France in Paris. In doing so, Toulouse are favorites to add to its record 17 French championship titles and will face Montpellier who defeated Racing Metro 26-25 in spectacular fashion to qulaify for the final for the first time in the clubs history. 

Toulouse´s 23 point victory in Marseilles was clinical as the South-Western French side lead for the full 80 minutes. French international flyhalf, David Skrela opened the scoring in the 5th mnute with a penalty goal and with Fijian international winger, Rupeni Caucaunibuca scoring a try four minutes latter, Toulouse were looking dangerous and ahead 10-0. Clermont cut the lead to 10-3 after 14 minutes with a long range penalty from fullback Anthony Floch. Skrela and French international scrumhalf, Morgan Parra then exchanged penalties to make the scores 13-6 at half time. Clermont would not score again and Toulouse were in firm control of the match despite repalcement flyhalf Nicolas Bezy missing three penalty attempts. Before replacing Skrela with Bezy, Toulouse had gone 13 points clear with Skrela kicking two penalties early in the second spell. With two minues remaining Bezy finally landed a penalty attempt to put Toulouse well clear with a 22-6 lead before Caucau went over for his second try to give Toulouse a 29-6 win on fulltime.

The Fijian international was part of a star-studded Toulouse side packed with French internationals. A total of nine players in the Toulouse startign lineup are French test players. Caucau was the only non-Frenchman in the backs and was joined n the team by Samoan international tighthead prop Census Johnson, South African loosehead prop, Daan Human and Argentine international secondrower Patricio Albacete who played the full 80 minutes for Toulouse. Clermont also had a star-studded XV with Ledesma and Scelzo being joined in the forwards by Canadian international secondrower Jamie Cudmore and five present or former French internationals. In the backs Clermont had Argentine born Italian international centre Gonzalo Canale starting at inside centre between Australian Brock James and South African Marius Joubert. The match was another example of the growth of rugby as a sport and the extent of how global it indeed is. The need for Rugby World Cup´s to no longer be hosted by the same sides who will have hosted every tournament until Japan finally end this run in 2019. The following tournament should go to a new host with Argentina standing out as an ideal candidate given the ability of the national team, location and facilities. Argentina 2023 should be the goal of the sport of rugby.

Toulouse

15 Cédric Heymans
14 Rupeni Caucaunibuca (Fiji)
13 Yannick Jauzion
12 Clément Poitrenaud
11 Maxime Medard
10 David Skrela
9 Jean-Marc Doussain
8 Louis Picamoles
7 Jean Bouilhou
6 Thierry Dusautoir
5 Patricio Albacete
4 Romain Millo-Chlusky
3 Census Johnston (Samoa)
2 William Servat
1 Daan Human (South Africa)

Clermont

15 Anthony Floch
14 Wesley Fofana
13 Marius Joubert (South Africa)
12 Gonzalo Canale (Italy)
11 Julien Malzieu
10 Brock James (Australia)
9 Morgan Parra
8 Elvis Vermeulen
7 Alexandre Lapandry
6 Julien Bonnaire
5 Thibaut Privat
4 Jamie Cudmore (Canada)
3 Martin Scelzo (Argentina)
2 Mario Ledesma (Argentina)
1 Lionel Faure

Argentina win 2011 South American Championship

Argentina was crowned South American champions for the 33rd time in history during the week following going through the 2011 Copa 'Voto Cataratas' undefeated. Argentina took on the first and second placed sides from the first round, Chile and Uruguay and with two wins Argentina ensured the sides hegemonic position in South American rugby remains intact. Argentina knocked over uruguay 75-14 in a comprehensive performance which featured a total of eleven tries with Fernando Luna crossing three times, Walter Weiss and Ramiro Moyano twice each and Tomás Cubelli, Nicolás Centurión, Belisario Agulla and José Basile all scoring one try each. Benjamín Madero kicked ten conversions for Argentina. Los Teros scored two tries with Leandro Leivas and Gastón Mieres both crossing while Matías Arocena slotted the extras.

Earlier in the week, Argentina had defeated Chile 61-6 with Belisario Agulla scoring a double and Román Miralles, Felipe Aranguren, Santiago González Iglesias, Mauricio Guidone, Rodrigo Báez, Ramiro Moyano and Benjamín Madero all scoring tries. Santiago González Iglesias slotted six conversions for Argentina while Chilean fullback, Francisco Cruz scored six points for Los Condores via two penalties. Despite defeating Uruguay the previous week, Chile remain in 24th place in the IRB World Rankings while Brazil rise to 38th after defeating Paraguay.

Final Standings

1. Argentina
2. Chile
3. Uruguay
4. Brazil
5. Paraguay

Felipe Contepomi has confirmed move to Stade Français Paris

Pumas captain, Felipe Contepomi in an interview with Argentine site, http://www.scrum.com.ar/, has himself confirmed that he will be ending his time at Toulon to join fellow Top 14 side, Stade Français Paris on a two year contract after the Rugby World Cup. In doing so, Contepomi, will join five fellow Argentine international players, four of whom are certainties for the World Cup (Rodrigo Roncero, Gonzalo Tiesi, Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga and Juan Manuel Leguizamón). Former Pumas prop Pedro Ledesma also plays for the club as does Argentine born Italian international captain, Sergio Parisse. Stade Français have had troubles in the flyhalf position with departing pivot, Lionel Beauxis unable to get the backs going. Contepomi will be charged with resolving the problems in the inside backs and will have a leadership role.

Contepomi´s move to Paris will see him reunited with his former Leinster coach, Michael Cheika with the pair seemingly on a mission to see Stade Français return to its satus as one of the premier European sides after having two poor seasons in the Top 14. The team has been overtaken by fellow Parisian side Racing Metro over the past two seasons which coincidently is the club of Stade Français´ former star, Juan Martín Hernández . Contepomi´s move to Stade Français will see the Pumas pair playing in the same city for the first time ever. Racing Metro is also the home of Pumas prop Juan Pablo Orlandi and backrower Alvaro Galindo.

Contepomi leaves Toulon after a productive but unstable time at the club which has seen highs and lows including making the Top 14 semi finals and the Heineken Cup Quarter Finals. Contepomi first played professionally in 2002 in England for former Premiership side Bristol. After two years at the club he moved to Ireland to play for Leinster from 2004-2009, during which time he became a qualified doctor, Celtic League champion and Heineken Cup champion. His two year stay at Toulon involved 41 matches with Contepomi playing 10, 12 and 13 and scoring a total of 165 points and playing a total of 1096 minutes of rugby.


With Thanks: http://www.scrum.com.ar/
 

Argentina can host a Rugby World Cup Alone

Following the controversial announcement of New Zealand as host of Rugby World Cup 2011 instead of the widely favored option of Japan, the IRB announced a number of changes for future Rugby World Cup tournaments. One announcement was that the preference was for single country hosts and no repeat of France 2007 which had Scotland hosting two matches and Wales hosting four. Matches played in France received strong attendances with all ten venues having sell out crowds. Matches regarded as being hard to market were also highly successful with over 55,000 attending Argentina vs Namibia in Marseilles and Fiji vs Japan being full in Toulouse. Matches in Scotland and Wales, in contrast, proved to be failures. Scotland vs Romania received 31,000 fans despite being played in Edinburgh and Wales vs Japan receieved around 35,000 despite being played in Cardiff. Interestingly, Wales vs Canada and Wales vs Fiji both played in the French city of Nantes recieved strong crowds of over 37,000. Moreover, Scotland vs Portugal played in St. Ettiene attracted a larger crowd than the match vs Romania.

The failure of the two sub-hosts in 2007 delieved a clear message that not only were they surplus to requirements but they also took away some of the prestige of the tournament. The IRB subsequently stated that future Rugby World Cup´s would be hosted within one country and not shared. In addition, games played outside the host nation would need to be justified strongly. It comes as a great shock, therefore, that the IRB has agreed to a request from England to have Wales act as a subhost for Rugby World Cup 2015. Wales has hosted games in all three tournaments played in Europe thus far and will host for the fourth time in 2015. The Millenium Stadium is world class and arguably the best rugby stadium on the planet. But this matters not as it is not located in England, the nation selected to host Rugby World Cup 2015. Furthermore, the stadium is surplus to requirements as England has an impressive list of stadiums that will not be used at all for Rugby World Cup 2015.

Should Argentina host Rugby World Cup 2023 it would do so alone, with no subhosts and there is no need to do so. Uruguay could potentially act as a sub host similar to Wales for England 2015 in that Montevideo is located close to Buenos Aires and easily accessible from eastern Argentine cities in provinces ranging from Santá Fé to Missiones. However, crucially, it is not an Argentine city and therefore should only be used if no alternative can be found within Argentina itself. Argentina has a list of complete stadiums which could host Rugby World Cup matches and, overall, are significantly larger than those for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand. Argentina could therefore successfully host by going alone and utilizing a nation wide list of 12 stadiums potentially as follows:

- Avellaneda (46,000)

- Buenos Aires (River Plate - 67,000)

- Córdoba (57,000)

- La Plata (53,000)

- Mar del Plata (35,000)

- Mendoza (45,000)

- Resistencia (25,000)

- Rosario (41,000)

- Salta (20,000)

- San Juan (25,000)

- San Salvador de Jujuy (24,000)

- Santa Fé (40,000)

- Tucumán (32,000)

Avellaneda - could host important matches

The Estadio Libertadores de América Stadium in Avellaneda looms as a great option to host Rugby World Cup matches should Argentina 2023 become a reality. The stadium is new, having been constructed from 2007-2009 as a redevelopment to the original stadium which was first constructed in 1928. The stadium is South America´s first cement constructed stadium and following its renovation has a capacity of 46,000 making it an ideal venue for Argentina 2023. It is of European design featuring large screens and state of the art facilities. The Estadio Libertadores de América is sometimes also refered to as the La Doble Visera (The Double Cement Visor) in reference to the roofing which overhangs those seated at the stadium.

The venue and city was selected to play host to international rugby for the first time ever in June 2011 as Los Pumas took on the French Barbarians in the first of two international matches - the second of which took place a week later in the North-Eastern Argentine city of Resistencia. Argentina defeated the French Barbarians 23-19. As such, Los Pumas continue to play in a variety of places across the country and more and more options are appearing as possibilities to be used to host a Rugby World Cup. It has been given the fixture in place of Velez Sarsfeld or River Plate Stadium, the two Buenos Aires venues which have hosted all full Argentina internationals in the city over the past decade. With Argentina entering the Tri Nations in 2012 the venue also appears to be a strong candiadte for matches given its size, location and date of contruction.



According to 2001 estimates the city of Avellaneda has a population of 328,980 making it very similar in size to Cardiff which has hosted matches in all Rugby World Cup´s played in Europe, including the 1999 Rugby World Cup final. The city´s Millenium Stadium will also host matches for England 2015. Avellaneda also has a larger population than a number of English cities which are tohost matches in 2015 including Coventry, Gloucester, Leicester and Southampton and is larger than also but two of the cities to host matches at Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand. Avellaneda is part of Greater Buenos Aires city which has a total population of over 13 million, or one third of the country´s population. Avellaneda is located between Buenos Aires city and the province´s capital, La Plata. In the event that the UAR bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023 the potential option would be for Avellaneda or Velez Sarsfeld to host Rugby World Cup matches in addition to La Plata and River Plate. The proximity to Buenos Aires city makes Avellaneda an ideal location to host Rugby World Cup matches with teams going west to Rosario or beyond, south to Mar del Plata or north to Santa Fe for subsequent matches.

                      
                                                     Greater Buenos Aires (Avellaneda in sky blue)

Brazil vs Paraguay video highlights

The continued expansion of rugby in Brazil has seen an increased number of players and clubs across the country. It has also seen increased media attention and the country's most watched television channel, Globo, has been following the team in its South American Championship campaign in Puerto Iguazu this month. The following video is a higlights package, featuring interviews with fans of Brazil's big win vs Paraguay.

USA squad named for Churchill Cup

USA Eagles head coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has confirmed his squad of players to play in next months Churchill Cup in England. The side is not at full strength as O’Sullivanhas opted to rest a number of top players including Taku Ngwenya and Chris Wyles who are to be given rests after enduring long seasons for their French and English clubs. Similarly secondrower, Samu Manoa, who is to join Northampton in July on a professional contract has been rested. Complications with Premiership Rugby in England mean another secondrower is unavaliable as Saracens´ Hayden Smith has been released for international duty by his club but not Premiership Rugby. All four are certain to be selected for Rugby World Cup 2011 which gives other players a chance to start in their places and push for World Cup selection.

The USA Eagles squad includes 13 professional players and 7 members of the USA Rugby Sevens teams presently competing in the HSBC Sevens World Series. The USA´s matches will be broadcast in the United States on Universal Sports who will show USA vs England Saxons and USA vs Tonga in addition to the Bowl and Cup Finals. The broadcasts will be shown live online and delayed on Television.


USA Squad
Forwards: Inaki Basauri (L' Aquila, Italy), Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate), Todd Clever (Suntory Sungoliath, Japan), Pat Danahy (Life University), Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks), JJ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town, South Africa), Nic Johnson (Unattached), Will Johnson (London Irish, England), Danny LaPrevotte (San Francisco Golden Gate), Scott LaValla (Unattached), Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England), Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England), Louis Stanfill (Mogliano, Italy), Phil Thiel (Life University), John van der Giessen (Utah Warriors)

Backs: Paul Emerick (Life University), Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore), Troy Hall (New York Athletic Club), Colin Hawley (Olympic Club), Nese Malifa (Glendale), Mike Palefau (Utah Warriors), Mike Petri (Newport-Gwent Dragons, Wales), Mile Pulu (San Francisco Golden Gate), Junior Sifa (Nottingham RFC), Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins), Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby), Kevin Swiryn (Agen, France), Zack Test (Unattached), Tim Usasz (Nottingham, England)

Eagles´ Churchill Cup Schedule
June 4, 2011: USA vs. England Saxons (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton)
June 8, 2011: USA vs. Tonga (Moseley Road, Surrey)
June 18, 2011: Elimination Match (Sixways, Worcester)

With Thanks: www.eaglesxv.com

Uruguay vs Brazil 2011 highlights

A match which laid the platform for a massive future rivalry took place last week in the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazú with Brazil taking it to Uruguay. The game could well go down in history as a turning point with Brazil being able to match it with the two time Rugby World Cup participant.

Martín Scelzo - world class frontrower

Considered by a panel of experts as the best tighthead prop in the world at Rugby World Cup 2007, Martín Scelzo is set to continue his professional career after Rugby World Cup 2011 at the South-Western France club of Agen after having spent the previous seven seasons for fellow Top 14 side Clermont and previously for former Top 14 side Narbonne. In doing so he will link up with Argentine international backrower Alejandro Campos and former Pumas centre Miguel Avramovic. Scelzo was a French champion with Clermont having won the 2010 Top 14 Orange Final in his fourth consecutive attempt. Before moving to France to play Top 14 rugby, Scelzo played in England for the Northampton Saints and was a European Champion having been a part of the Heineken Cup winning side of 2000 who defeated Munster in the Final. Scelzo´s move to Agen is a two year deal which should see the 35 year year old retire still a professional player in France.

Scelzo is a veteran of three Rugby World Cup´s having made played in Waels 1999, Australia 2003 and France 2007 and has been playing for his countrry for almost fifteen years. He made his international debut for Argentina in September 1996 in Nepean vs the United States and as of May 2011 he has played a total of 53 test matches for Los Pumas. Over the years, Scelzo has been on sixteen intercontinental tours with Los Pumas. He came off the bench for Argentina in the historical victory vs Ireland at Rugby World Cup 1999 and also featured in matches vs Samoa and France at the tournament. Scelzo played Argentina´s three June tests of 2000 vs Ireland and Australia but would not play again for three years until being recalled in June 2003 to face Franca twice and then Fiji, Uruguay and Canada in lead-up matches to the World Cup. Scelzo´s performances saw him selected for Australia 2003 and he played three matches, vs Namibia, Romania and Ireland. In the lead up game vs Fiji, Scelzo achieved the rare feat of a prop by scoring two tries in the match.

Scelzo missed Argentina´s 2004 matches through injury complications but played vs South Africa, Scotland and Italy in 2005 and vs Wales, New Zealand, Chile, Uruguay, England, Italy and France in 2006. His performances were clearly improving and his presence in the scrum put him amongst the best in the game. Scelzo was unable to play in Argentina´s June 2007 fixtures due to club commitments with Clermont but returned to face Wales in a warm-up match and he then went on to start World Cup matches vs France, Namibia, Ireland, Scotland and South Africa. His work in the scrum had caught the attention of the global rugby media and it was clear theat he South Africa´s scrum was having problems with Scelzo. Unfortunately, he left the field with an injury in the second half which meant his World Cup was over and would not feature in the Bronze Final win vs France. After missing Los Pumas´ matches in 2008 due to further injury comcerns, Scelzo returned for the November tour of Europe to face England, Wales and Scotland and started in all of Argentina´s 2010 matches vs Scotland, France, Italy and Ireland. While his international career may be coming to a close there is no question of his continued contribution to Argentine and global rugby as one of the greatest tighthead props. His record of 9 tries is highly impressive for a prop. Scelzo is set to play in his fourth World Cup and looms as a tought prospect for all opponents.

Pumas shine in Amlin Challenge Cup Final

London side the Harlequins are champions of the 2010-2011 Amlin Challenge Cup after securing a dramatic late 19-18 victory in Cardiff vs Paris side Stade Français on Friday evening. The result has significant implications for both sides as the Harlequins have now secured a place in next seasons Heineken Cup at the expense of Stade Français. The Paris based side looked like they had the game in the bag as Argentine international fullback, Martín Rodriguez Gurruchaga, slotted a difficult long-rang angeld drop goal in the 72nd minute which put Stade Français 18-12 ahead. It was, however, a case of one Puma being silenced by another as Pumas winger Gonzalo Camacho went over to score the games only try in the 77th minute of the match. His try cut the Paris lead to one point and with former All Blacks flyhalf, Nick Evana slotting the conversion the London based side went one point ahead and, in doing so, closed out the match and were crowned Amlin Challenge Cup champions.

The victory marks the third occassion that the Harlequins have won the European Challenge Cup after previsouly winning in 2001 and 2004. The Quins got to the final after outplaying former two time Heineken Cup champions, Munster in Limerick. It was further heartbreak for the Parisians who have had their worst ever season in the Top 14 Orange. Stade Français can hope to go one better next season as their loss means they will be playing in the Amlin Challenge Cup again and not the Heineken Cup. Martín Rodriguez and Gonzalo Camacho are certain starters for Los Pumas at Rugby World Cup 2011and will combine as two member of the back-three. Pumas loosehead prop, Rodrigo Roncero will also be in Los Pumas team for New Zealand 2011. he started the final in the Paris #1 shirt and was joined in the pack by Pumas backrower, Juan Leguizamón who came on as a first half replacement. Argentina born Italian international backrower and captain, Sergio Parisse started in the backrow for Stade Français Paris.

In Spanish


In French

Big Upset in Chile vs Uruguay

The battle to be South America´s second best side took place in the north-eastern Argentine city of Puerto Iguazú on Friday as Uruguay looked to extend its unbeaten run vs Chile. The last time Chile had defeated Uruguay was close to a decade ago, back in 2002 when Los Condores completed a 10-6 win in Santiago. Since that time, Uruguay have been notching up win after win and in the past three years the results have wins by scores tranging from 17 to 37 points. Friday´s match in Argentina, however, ripped up the script as Los Condores defeated Los Teros 21-18 to end a long nine year drought. The result will have implications for the IRB World Rankings of both sides but more importantly underlines the need to have more fixtures of this kind as the Sul Americano A event needs to be organized similarly to the HSBC Asian 5 Nations.

Uruguay scored the first points of the game in the sixth minute of play with a penalty to Matías Arocena. Five minutes latter he would extend Los Teros lead to six points with a drop goal and then to nine points in the seventeenth minute with his second penalty. Chile got on the board in the twenty-second minute with a penalty to Francisco Cruz. Arocena and Cruz then exchanged penalties as Los Teros held a 12-6 lead after half an hour of play. In what was an even contest with both sets of forwards putting in big hits Los Condores tied the scores at 12-12 after thirty-four minutes following a third penalty to Francisco Cruz and a drop goal to Benjamín Omegna. Uruguay, however, went into the break leading 15-12 after Matías Arocena kicked a penalty on halftime. Scores were all even again in the fiftieth minute as Francisco Cruz slotted his fourth penalty goal. Arocena restored Uruguay´s three point advantage shortly thereafter before Cruz made it 18-18 with fourteen minutes remaining. In a tense ending to the match, Cruz slotted a penalty with one minute remaining to see the battle of the birds result in an upset as Chile were triumphant 21-18.

Brazil break the records in defeating Paraguay

Two winless sides went head-to-head on Friday on a mission of leaving the 2011 South American Championship with a victory. It was a case of two vastly different experiences as Brazil performed well against both Chile and Uruguay earlier in the week whilst Paraguay had been outclassed and gone down by big scores. Nonetheless, Paraguay were targetting a win and Brazil were looking to maintain its rest superiority over La Yacares in recent years. Brazil had had a successful but winless set of games vs Chile and Uruguay by playing running rugby, utilizing backs more than usual and as such succeeding in a variety of areas of their game. Paraguay, in contrast, had appeared to have significant problems in the defensive line and as such Brazil were looking like favorites to notch up a good win.

The extent of the win surprized everybody as Brazil made history in breaking the records to win by the biggest margin in the history of international matches between the two countries. The 51-14 win surpassed Brazil´s previous biggest win of 40-19 in 1989. The result was Brazil´s biggest win in a Sul Americano A match and underlines the teams progress in recent years. The first points were scored in the eleventh minute of play as secondrower Vitor Medeiros went over for a try which Julian Menutti converted. Paraguay hit back with a penalty goal in the seventeenth minute to Luís Reyes but Brazil had the better of play and scored two quick tries shortly after the penalty with João Luiz Da Rosa and Pedro Rosa scored two tires in three minutes following Paraguay´s penalty. Paraguay persisted, however and Luís Reyes slotted two penalties to make it 17-9 in the twenty-fourth minute. Backrower Pedro Rosa scored his second try to put Brazil ahead 22-9 shortly before centre Moises Duque made it 27-9 with eleven minutes remanining in the first half. Brazil´s replacement fullback, Thiago Maihara scored early in the secondhalf  to extend Brazil´s lead and winger Julian Menutti scored a few minutes latter to put Brazil ahead 37-9 in with thirty minutes remaining. La Yacares scored a try in the fifty-second minute thorugh Fabrizio Da Rosa but Paraguay would not score again. Brazil, in contrast, went over for two tries in the final twenty minutes with backrower de Joao Carlos Orioli Junior and Lucas Duque both scoring and Duque converting both to give Brazil a 51–14 win.

Brazil

1 Danilo Lima
2 Daniel Danielewicz
3 Julio Figalo
4 Vitor Medeiros
5 Antonio Gorios (capitan)
6 Joao Carlos Orioli Junior
7 Pedro Rosa
8 Joao Luiz Da Rosa
9 Felipe Claro
10 Lucas Duque
11 Julian Menutti
12 Fernando Portugal
13 Moises Duque
14 Daniel Gregg
15 Rafael Dawailibi

Francisco de la Fuente signs for Auch

Chilean international centre, Francisco de la Fuente has been having an excellent week. He has been playing well for his country in international matches including victories over Brazil and Paraguay and has been signed on a one year deal with the option of an additional year by French Second Division club, Auch. de la Funente has been with Auch this seasaon already alongside Chilean international secondrower Sergio Valdés. FC Auch Gers is a club looking to get back into the Top 14 Orange after being relegated to the Pro d2 two seasons ago.

Two weeks ago Auch had a vital Pro d2 match against Union Bordeaux Bègles in the final round of the regular season. Depending on the result, Auch could have advanced to the play-off´s. In a highly entertaining match Union Bordeaux Bègles defeated FC Auch Gers 29-27 with Sergio Valdés in Auch´s starting lineup. Int he end Auch missed the play-off´s, but only just as they finished in 6th place. Union Bordeaux Bègles had a semi final last weekend against Grenoble and their victory put them into the Pro d2 final vs Albi with the winner joining regular season winners, Lyon, in gaining promotion to the Top 14 Orange. Francisco de la Fuente was used in the 2010-2011 season as a development player or a espoirs in French.

Auch vs Union Bordeaux Bègles from earlier in the season

Canada Squad confirmed for Churchill Cup

North American powerhouses, Canada have confirmed a 26 man aquad for the up coming Churchill Cup tournament to be played in England. The squad includes a number of players who have been out of favor with national selectors and therefore looms as a final chance for players to impress beofre coach Kieran Crowley names his squad for Rugby World Cup 2011. In the 2010 Churchill Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada impressed in defeating Uruguay 48-6 and France A 33-27 en route to qualifying for the Cup Final against the England Saxons team. The list of fully professional players at the top level in England proved decisive in England defeating Canada 38-18 in the final. Canada, nonetheless, proved to be a competitive team and one loaded with young up and coming players.
The squad for 2011 is notable for featuring the return of Canada´s most famous and indeed best player, Jamie Cudmore who has been rested in recent years in preference of developing young players and also to keep him on good terms with his club, Clermont. But his place in the team remains to be seen as Clermont could well play in the Top 14 Final which would prevent Cudmore from representing Canada. The FInal takes place on June 4, the same day as Canada vs Italy A. A mere four days after facing Italy A, Canada will face Russia in a full IRB international match which looms as being too soon after the Top 14 final for Cudmore.

Other players returning to the Canadian squad include prop Scott Franklin for the first time since 2008. The cult figure of scrumhalf Ed Fairhurst, who has 44 test appearances for Canada, returns after missing Canada´s matches in recent years. Fellow Rugby World Cup 2007 veteran, Ryan Smith has a chance to confirm his spot in the Canadian Rugby World Cup squad as he is returning to take a place in the midfield after losing his place to European based players. Smith will have an uncapped centre alongside him in Sevens international, Conor Trainor who is in the side for the first time. Welsh based Matt Evans is also back in the squad after missing Canada´s November tour of Europe due to injury. Evans has been selected as a fullback rather than a flyhalf which makes Canada´s options interesting and potentially highly attacking.

The home of Canadian rugby on the internet, Rugby Canada (http://www.rugbycanada.ca/) listed four players as being injured / unavailable. They are backrowers Adam Kleeberger and Stan McKeen, winger Talyor Paris and centre Daniel van der Merwe. This means a number of players have been overlooked in a variety of positions. In the secondrow France based Josh Jackson has not been selected nor has former professional secondrower, Luke Tait. Props Kevin Tkachuk of Glasgow and Dan Pletch of Ontario have both missed out as have a number of impressive young backs from the Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC) who impressed in 2010 including Jamie McKenzie, Connor Braid, Sean Duke and Nick Blevins.


Churchill Cup Schedule

Saturday June 4 Canada vs Italy A, Northampton
Wednesday June 8 Canada vs Russia, Moseley

Saturday June 18 - Playoffs, Worcester
Following the Churchill Cup, Canada will face North American rivals, the United States in home and away matches on August 6 in Toronto and on August 13 in Denver, Colorado.

Canadian Squad
Hookers

Pat Riordan (BC Bears)
Ryan Hamilton (BC Bears)

Props

Scott Franklin (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Hubert Buydens (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Andrew Tiedemann (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Jason Marshall (BC Bears)
Tom Dolezel (Prairie Wolf Pack)

Second Row

Tyler Hoston (Plymouth Albion, England)
Brian Erichsen (BC Bears)
Jamie Cudmore (Clermont, France)

Back Row

Sean Michael Stephen (Plymouth Albion, England)
Jebb Sinclair (The Rock)
Nanyak Dala (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Chauncey O'Toole (The Rock)
Aaron Carpenter (Plymouth Albion, England)

Scrum-halves

Sean White (BC Bears)
Ed Fairhurst (BC Bears)
Fly-halves

Nathan Hirayama (BC Bears)
Ander Monro (Ontario Blues)

Centres

Ryan Smith (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Conor Trainor (BC Bears)
Phil Mackenzie (Esher RFC, England)

Wings

Justin Mensah-Coker (BC Bears)
Ciaran Hearn (The Rock)

Fullbacks

James Pritchard (Bedford RFC, England)
Matt Evans (Newport Gwent Dragons, Wales)

With Thanks: www.rugbycanada.ca

Bringing the Rugby World Cup to a New Continent

The Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world after the Olympic Games and the Soccer World Cup. It is the showcase of the sport of rugby and every four years the tournament takes place. It is increasingly proving to be a bigger and increasingly globalized event with each Rugby World Cup attracting more viewing numbers than the previous tournament. France 2007 had a cumulative world television audience of 4.2 billion for the 48 matches. In contrast Australia 2003 had a cumulative world television audience of 3.5 billion, also for 48 matches. Additional countries continue to play Rugby World Cup qualification matches with Armenia, Greece, India, Mexico and Paklistan all involved in qualification matches for New Zealand 2011 for the first time in their history. This has coincided with teams previously considered not capable of winning a Rugby World Cup tournament now being potential contenders. Argentina, for example, went from no wins at Rugby World Cup 1995 to finishing third in 2007. Similarly, Fiji went from failing to qualify for Rugby World Cup 1995 to being Quarter Finalists in 2007.

Despite significant progress, every Rugby World Cup tournament to have taken place since its inception has been hosted by a traditional power belonging to the old Five Nations or Tri Nations. Before Japan becomes, in 2019, the first country outside this sphere to host a Rugby World Cup all of these nations except South Africa will have hosted matches in at least two Rugby World Cup´s. Of the eight Rugby World Cup´s to have taken place from 1987-2015 Europe will have hosted four, Oceania three and Africa one. Japan 2019 will be the first time Asia has ever hosted and this will mean only the Americas will never have hosted. In contrast by 2015 the Americas will have hosted eight Soccer World Cup´s, second only to Europe. South America will have hosted five Soccer World Cups in four countries - Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, Chile 1962, Argentina 1978 and 2014 Brazil. North America will have hosted three with Mexico hosting in 1970 and 1986 and the USA hosting in 1994. With such a decorated history of hosting Soccer World Cup´s the region of the Americas is clearly in line to host a Rugby World Cup at the next possible time. The combination of other factors such as camaraderie, contibution to global rugby, the future of rugby, pride, stadiums, time zones and tradition all combine to make Argentina 2023 more than compelling. The message of the world in union further supports Rugby World Cup 2023 being hosted by Argentina.

The oldest Rugby club outside of Europe

Rugby in South America is increasingly breaking new ground with the sport being practiced throughout the region in every country and the level of rugby also improving constantly. Uruguay remain the second best in South America and continue to proudly be a two time Rugby World Cup participant and have a better record than the likes of Romania, Japan, Namíbia and Tonga. The IRB´s weekly rugby program, Total Rugby, recently featured a piece on the oldest rugby club outside of Europe. The club is not from a traditional power or former English colony such as Australia or New Zealand but rather is from Uruguay. A widely unknown fact is that the first place rugby was exported to was infact Montevideo. The Montevideo Cricket Club (MVCC) has rugby roots going back to 1861 with the first match on record being listed as taking place in 1880 between Uruguyans and British settlers.

The club has played in Uruguay´s national championship, the Campeonato Uruguayo de Rugby since it was created in 1950 and had its first ever match in the championship vs Carrasco Polo Club which has won a staggering 24 national titles since 1950. Carrasco has 12 players in Uruguay´s squad for Rugby World Cup 2003. The MVCC was successful in the early days of Uruguayan championship rugby, winning the national title on three occasions in the 1950´s (1951, 1953 and 1956) but since this time it has been unable to compete at the same level. Rather teams such as Carrasco Polo Club, the Old Christians Club and Old Boy´s have come to be the country´s powerhouses. Between them the three clubs have won 54 of the 65 titles in the history of the Campeonato Uruguayo de Rugby. The last time a team other than one of these three were champions was back in 1975. The 2010 champions were Old Boy´s who coincidently were crowned champions for the first time since they were joint champions with Club de Rugby La Cachila in 1975.

Uruguay pushed hard by Brazil

Round two of the 2011 South American Rugby Championship took place today in the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazú and featured South America´s sides ranked 2-5. It proved to be an unpredictable day but one that continues to underline the future of the sport in the continent. Paraguay had a second unforgetable match aftet going down by a record margin on Saturday vs Uruguay with Chile notching up a very impressive 71-3 victory. Paraguay had been palying quite well in the early stages of the contest but were blown away as the game continued, especially in the second half. Los Condores will now finish first or second depending on their final match.

Ther real talking point, however, was the second match played between Brazil and Uruguay with Los Teros looking to show who is boss. The two time Rugby World Cup country of Uruguay were given a very tough match and had to come from behind against the rapidly improving Brazilians. The Portuguese speaking country´s performance was simply amazing and with 20 minutes left on the clock it looked like the upset of the century could be on the cards. Uruguay held a 20-18 lead but got home with a superb final 20 minutes to win the match 39-18.

Brazil were the first team to score with Juli Menutti slotting a drop goal in the 11th minute. Los Teros responded with a penalty of their own in the 25th minute to make the scores 3-3. Brazil had been the more willing team to play open rugby with Uruguay preferring to fall back on its more traditional approach of playing a forwards game. It eventually paid off for Brazil with long timer serving winger, Daniel Gregg scoring the first try of the match in the 36th minute. Gregg failed to convert his own try but Brazil were ahead 8-3 and looking good. Brazil had a tough day with the referee and it proved costly. Uruguay were able to turn the game around thanks to slotting three penalties and a try right at the end of the half to Gaminara to go ahead 17-8 at the interval. Like in the first half, Brazil started as the stronger side with João Luiz da Ros scoring an early try which was converted to cut the deficit to 17-15. Both sides slotted a penalty goal a piece to make put the game on a knives-edge at 20-18 in favor of Uruguay with 20 minutes remaining. the experience of Uruguay was a lesson for the Brazilians as Uruguay were able to control the remainder of the game and make Brazil give away penalties and thus control possession and territory.

Uruguay´s three tries in the final 20 minutes did not do justice to the flow of the game which was a genuine even contest until Los Teros broke clear firstly with a try to Leiva then a penalty try and finally a try to Pablo Buenos on full time. Buenos´try underlined his importance to Los Teros after he had scored 4 tries vs Paraguay on Saturday.

Patricio Albacete

Twenty-nine year old Argentina international secondrower, Patricio Albacete has earned the reputation of being one of the busiest secondrowers in world rugby. His ever-present display has him ranked amongst the best secondrowers on the planet. Albacete has been playing professional rugby at the top level in France for eight years sicne leaving Buenos Aires club, Manuel Belgrano, to join French side Colomiers on his first professional contract in 2003, aged only 21. He spent one year with Colomiers before moving to fellow former Top 14 side Pau, with whom he spent the following two seasons and was a part of the side who finished second in the 2005 European Challenge Cup. In 2006, Albacete signed for powerhouses, Toulouse and remains at the club to this day. Albacete has been a permanent first choice in the secondrow for the South France glamour club and put in key performances in helping Toulouse win both the 2008 French Top 14 and the 2010 Heineken Cup championship titles. Albacete´s status as a genuine world class secondrower, has seen his contract with Toulouse extended until 2014.

Albacete was discovered by former Argentina international coach, Marcelo Loffreda. Loffreda selected Albacete for international duty in 2003 and less than six months after making his debut, Albacete was starting in the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2003 as Argentina took on hosts, Australia. Albacete had made his debut vs Paraguay earlier in 2003 after he had impressed in captaining Buenos Aires in 2002 at the mere age of 20. He had actually made his international debut, aged 19 vs Uruguay in 2001 but it was not recognized as an official international test-match. After debutin vs Paraguay, Albacete also faced Uruguay, France, South Africa and Canada in pre-Rugby World Cup 2003 matches. Despite still being an amateur player based in Buenos Aires, his performances earned him a starting place for the World Cup and he started vs Australia and Romania but would miss the key match vs Ireland through injury.

His profile skyrocketed following his move to France and ever since he has been a permanent feature in Los Pumas. He has featured in Argentina´s key success´ during this period such as defeating France in Marseilles in 2004, defeating England in London in 2006 and being a stand-out player at Rugby World Cup 2007 in which he played every minute of every match. His importance to Los Pumas continues with Albacete being a prominant player in the teams important results since France 2007 such as the wins vs Italy in 2008, England and Scotland in 2009 and France in 2010. Born December 9th 1981, Albacete is one of Argentina´s key players heading into his third Rugby World Cup campaign. In total, he has played fourty tests for Argentina, scoring one try vs Georgia in Rugby World Cup 2003.

Aviva Premiership Semi Finals

England´s premier rugby competition, the Aviva Premiership had its finalists confirmed over the weekend with the first semi final taking place on Saturday and the second on Sunday. The final of the Aviva Premiership is to be a rematch of last seasons English Premiership Final in what was then called the Guinness Premiership. The first semi-final featured first vs fourth from the regular season as the Leicester Tigers hosted the impressive Northampton Saints at Welford Road. In a dour match, the Tigers secured their place in yet another English Premiership Final after winning the game 11-3. Both sides were packed with English international players certain to start for England at Rugby World Cup 2011. Both Leicester props, however, were from Argentina with Los Pumas loosehead prop, Marcos Ayerza packing down in the frontrow alongside Argentina born Italian international tighthead prop Martín Castrogiovanni. Both players outplayed their opponents with Ayerza playnig well in general and bon one occassion breaking the defensive line. Argentina international winger, Horacio Agulla entered the match as a second-half replacement in the 49th minute.

The match, however, was dominated by a fist fight between English international winger Chris Ashton and Samoan born but future English winger Manu Tuilagi which saw both players yellow carded in the 32nd minute. The incident is likely to see both players suspended and miss their respective matches as Northampton will play in the Heineken Cup Final latter this month vs Leinster and Leicester will, of course, play in the Aviva Premiership Final. The games only try was scored by the older brother of Manu Tuilagi, Alesana Tuilagi who looms as Samoa´s key player for Rugby World Cup 2011.



The second semi-final was played in London on Sunday at the home of Saracens rugby, Watford. The Saracens hosted the game as the second best side after the regular season and went up against third placed Gloucester. The match was similar to the first semi final in that it was low scoring and featured merely one try. The young an promising Saracens flyhalf, Owen Farrell  was man of the match but seemingly only because he slotted four penalty goals because he was unable to work as a flyhalf in putting players through gaps and creating tries. He had the London based side ahead 9-3 at the interval.

In the second half Gloucester scored first but it took all of 28 minutes as former Welsh international flyhalf, Nicky Robinson went over for the games only try. Robinson scored all of his sides points and following his converted try, Gloucester were winning the contest 10-9 with only eleven minutes remaining on the clock. Farrell, hit back with his forth penalty and Saracens' only points of the second half to put his side 12-210 ahead with eight minutes remaining. USA international fullback, Chris Wyles, played the match at what has become his regular Saracnes position of outside centre. He was joined in the starting XV by Argentine born Italian international prop, Carlos Nieto who started at tighthead prop.



The final will be played on May 28 with Leicester Tigers vs Saracens taking place at Twickenham. The two sides met in last seasons final with Leicster coming out on top.

Uruguay and Chile win first round matches in South American Championship

The 33rd addition of the CONSUR Sudamericano Mayor A (South American A Championship) is underway following the opening round of games for the Cataratas Cup in the tournament being played in Puerto Iguazu, Misiones, Argentina. The tournament kicked off on Saturday with a match between the second ranked South American side and two time Rugby World Cup participants Uruguay and fifth ranked Paraguay. Of the twenty games played betweent he two sides, Uruguay have won nineteen with the only glitch being a 9-9 draw in 1985. In recent history Uruguay have well and truely dominated, having won every match by a minimum of 33 points in the past twenty years. Since France 2007, Uruguay have notched up wins of 85-7 in 2009 and 47-14 in 2010 but this weekends result eclipsed both as Los Teros ran wild notching up a massive 102-6 victory, the largest in the history of Uruguay and the first time Los Teros have scored 100 in a single match. The previous largest win came back in 1996 as Los Teros defeated Paraguay 93-3.

The 102-6 victory was a team effort with eleven players scoring tries. There was a star on the field, however, as Pablo Bueno scored four tries, three coming in the second half. Arturo Avalo and Alberto Román both scored two tries each while Diego Bascou, Ignacio Inchausti, Diego Magno, Leandro Leivas, Javier Ameglio and Ignacio Barcos also crossed for tries. Six of the tries were converted by Además Matías Arocena while Adrían Lewis kicked five conversions as well as scoring a try of his own. In total, Uruguay crossed for sixteen tries, eight in each half. Paraguay's six points were scored from the boot of Marcelo Renna who slotted two penalties. The match was refereed by Brazilian, Henrique Platais from Rio de Janeiro.

The rounds second match took place at the same venue 30 minutes after the completion of the first match. Of the eighteen matches played between Chile and Brazil Los Condores have won sixteen. Brazil's only victory was back in 1981 while the teams had a 16-16 draw in 1964. Chile were thus overwhelming favorites and expetced to win, albeit not by as much as Uruguay over Paraguay. The last time the teams met was in 2010 in Santiago with Chile notching up a 31-8 victory. This years match was similar with Chile winning 25-6 after holding an 8-0 half time lead. The first points came in the 17th minute with a penalty to flyhalf Benjamín Omega. A try thirteen minutes latter to Los Condores backrower, Ignacio Silva, rounded out the scoring of the first half. Despite failing to score, Brazil were playing an exciting brand of running rugby and taking to the Chileans. The Brazilians came close to scoring on more than one occassion only to lose control of the ball at crucial moments.


Chile started the secondhalf the better side and looked dangerous in the early minutes after the interval. Los Condores went over for a try in the forty-fourth minute scored by Alejandro Rios and converted by Omega which gave the Chileans a 15-0 lead. Brazil hit back with a penalty goal in the fifty-sixth minute to Julián Menutti as they continued to search for their first try. Chile, however, held firm and scored next through a penalty goal to Omega five minutes latter. As play continued to be evenly fought over by both countries, Brazil scored a second penalty in the sixty-third minute but again were unable to cross the try line. Chile's defense proved to be decisive and Los Condores 18-6 lead was increased with a try on fulltime to Matías Cabrera. With Benjamín Omega adding the extras, Chile completed a 25-6 victory which was well deserved but does not reflect the performance of Brazil. The game was refereed by Argentina's Mauro Rivera.

Top 14 Barrage

Rugby's premier domestic championship, the Top 14 is down to four following the barrage matches played on Friday and Saturday to determine which two sides would be joining Toulouse and Racing Metro in the Top 14 Semi Finals. Four countries from the Americas, the only region to never have hosted a Rugby World Cup or be in line to do so before 2019, had players in the starting XV. International players from Argentina, Canada, the United States and Uruguay were all on show as were international players from all over the world. The increasingly global sport of rugby obviously needs to look beyond the traditional borders of the Tri-Nations and the old Five-Nations who come September 2011 will have not only hosted every Rugby World Cup to date but all aside from South Africa have will have hosted matches in multiple Rugby World Cup´s. Argentine players are guaranteed to feature in the Final and will yet again be involved in the winning of the trophy, the Bouclier de Brennus.

The first barrage match was played on Friday with Clermont playing host to Biarritz at the Stade Marcel Michelin. The visitors had the bettrer of play and looked to have control of the game at halftime as the held an eleven point lead. Unfortunately for Biarritz the South-Western French sdie was unable to score at all in the second half. The first points of the match were scored by Clermont fullback, Anthony Floch who slotted a penalty goal in the thirteenth minute. Biarrtiz hit back with a penalty goal to French international scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili in the twentieth minute and then enjoyed a near on twenty minute period of domination, scoring two tries. Yachvili went over for a try in the twenty-ninth minute and flyhalf Julien Peyrelongue scored in the thirty-seventh minute. With Yachvili converting both tries, Biarritz were in firm control leading 17-3. Yachvili´s opposite, Morgan Parra, cut made it 17-6 at the interval as he closed the half with a penalty of his own.

The second half was vastly different to the first with the home side pulling off a great come back by scoring twenty-one points without conceeding any. Clermont´s three tries to Australian Brock James and the unwanted French international duo of Julien Malzieu and Lapandry Alexandre Clermont´s saw the home side advance to the semi-final stage. The 27-17 win means Biarritz are eliminated and their season is over. Clermont will now face Toulouse in Marseilles on May 27th in the first semi final. Argentine born Italian international centre, Gonzalo Canale was a key player for Clermont at inside centre. Canale was joined by veteran Canadian international secondrower Jamie Cudmore and also the long time serving Argentine frontrow pair of hooker Mario Ledesma and tighthead prop Martín Scelzo. All players are certainties to feature at Rugby World Cup 2011. Biarritz also had two Pumas with Marcelo Bosch starting at centre and Eusebio Guiñazú coming on as a secondhalf replacement.


On Saturday Castres hosted Montpellier in the second barrage match with the winner advancing to face Racing Metro in a semi final also to be played at the Stade Velodrome in Marseilles. In a match dominated by poor ball-handling skills, a young uncapped Argentine player was the hero. A year ago Martín Bustos Moyano was playing as an amateur in the Argentine city of Córdoba but after impressing for Los Pampas XV in the Vodacom Cup he signed a two year deal for Montpellier for whom he has had the season of his life. Bustos Moyano scored all eighteen of Montpellier´s points, all from his boot as he slotted six penalties to see Montpellier qualify for the Top 14 semi-finals for the first time in its history.

The game had two tries, both scored by Castres as backrower Ibrahim Diarra scored the games first try in just the fourth minute while the second was a penalty try in the final minute of the first half as Montpellier did everything they could to defend their line as the scrum was being bullied all over the park. Argentina international prop, Juan Figallo was off the field having been yellowcarded for killing the ball in a ruck close to his own try line. It was one of three yellow cards given in the match. Figallo had a good game in general, and appeared to again be a better candidate than Martín Scelzo as a starter for Argentina at the World Cup as his work rate saw him ever-present around the park. Argentina international centre, Santiago Fernández had another good game at 12 for Montpellier as he worked well in defense and was occassionally dangerous with ball in hand. Castres also had a South American in its starting lineup as former Uruguayan international captain, Rodrigo Capó Ortega started in the secondrow.