Is Mario Ledesma the greatest hooker in Rugby World Cup History?

With Rugby World Cup 2011 fast approaching the IRB´s weekly program, Total Rugby, has almost completed its Rugby World Cup Dream team. Only two positions remain and this week features the frontrow position of hooker. Amongst the nominations are New Zealand´s Sean Fitzpatrick, Australia´s Phil Kearns, Argentina´s Mario Ledesma, Ireland´s Keith Wood and South Africa´s John Smit. The player who receives the most votes will be considered as the best hooker in the history of the Rugby World Cup. Voting is easy and open to everybody. Simply access the Total Rugby page on either Facebook or Twitter and cast your vote.

Of the players voted as best in their position, two are from Argentina with Agustín Pichot voted as best scrumhalf and Omar Hasan voted as best tighthead prop. There is also a player from Venezuela as the player voted best fullback is Serge Betsen who played for France in Rugby World Cup 1987 and 1991 but was born in Venezuela.

Rugby World Cup Dream Team

15 Serge Betsen (France)
14 David Campese (Australia)
13 Will Greenwood (England)
12 Tim Horan (Australia)
11 Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
10
9 Agustín Pichot (Argentina)
8 Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand)
7 Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
6 François Piennar (South Africa)
5 Victor Matfield (South Africa)
4 Martin Johnson (England)
3 Omar Hasan (Argentina)
2
1 Os du Randt (South Africa)

Venezuela win South American B Championship

South America B has a new champion after the 2010 champions, Peru, were defeated 17-15 by Venezuela in the 2011 Final on Saturday in Lima. The tournament was hosted exclusively by Peru with the Federación Peruana de Rugby doing a great job in organizing the event which also included Costa Rica and Colombia. Both Peru and Venezuela arrived in the Final after defeating the other two countries. The final was refereed by Argentina´s Claudio Antonio and took place at the Club Cultural Deportivo Lima de Chorrillos in front of a big crowd.


In a tight fought contest, Venezuela scored the only try of the first half through Luis Romero while Peru managed a penalty from Gustavo Martinez as both teams sized eachother up throughout the first half. After the interval, Peru started very well with Luis Tejeda scroring the sides first try which Gustavo Martinez converted to put the hosts ahead 10-5. Peru were clearly on top in the early stages of the secondhalf and they looked liek securign victory when fullback, Jose Luis Maria Pareja scored Peru´s third try. Venezuela, however, showed great resolve to hit back with a try to Luis Zamora followed by one to Jerson Jimenez which equalized the scres at 15-15 with the conversion still to come. Sergio Pulido´s attempt was on target as Venezuela took a 17-15 lead with ten minutes left to play in the match. Venezuela had the better of play in the latter stages of the contest and, despite missing a penalty and a dropgoal attempt, held on for a two point victory.

With Thanks: www.consur.org

Argentine players in France - Agen

In the second instalment looking at Argentina's players in France it is the turn of Agen, a club looking to consilidate its place in the Top 14. Agen is into its second season back in the French top-flight after playing several season in France´s second division, the Pro d2. Agen started the 2010-2011 season poorly as the side was overpowered by a number of teams and was at the foot of the ladder. A late fight towards the end of the season saw Agen rise the ladder from eleventh spot to avoid relegation as the team was able to put together some impressive matches. Agen had Two Pumas on its playing roster last season in the form of cenntre Miguel Avramovic and backrower, Alejandro Campos. Avramovic is to miss the start of the season after having got injured during the warm-up phase of the French season but, neverthelessm remains at the club. Campos, on the other hand, will not play for Agen this season but it is not yet clear as to where he will be playing. USA international winger, Kevin Swiryn played his first season as a professional in 2010-2011 and is to return to Agen following Rugby World Cup 2011.

The club has secured the services of two other players from the Americas. Argentine international tighthead prop, Martín Scelzo is to play for Agen after joining the side from 2010 champions, Clermont. Scelzo adds plenty opf experience to the Agen side and will join the team after completing his international duty in New Zealand. In addition to being a French Champion in 2010, Scelzo is also a previous Rugby World Cup Bronze Medalist with Argenitna and a Heineken Cup Champion with Englsih side, Northampton. The club is also to have 23 year old Belisario Agulla, as the younger brother of Pumas winger, Horacio Agulla, is to play professional rugby for the first time on a one year contract with the option of an additional year.

Genaro Fessia replaces Alvaro Galindo for Rugby World Cup

Argentina have been forced into making a chance in the backrow for the Pumas squad to play in New Zealand 2011. Racing Metro backrower, Alvaro Galindo picked up a thigh injury playing in the Top 14 Semi Final vs Montpellier. The injury complicated his preperation for the Rugby World Cup but he had recovered from it and was selected in the squad for the tournament which starts in New Zealand in ten days time. Coach Santaigo Phelan had monitored his recovery and was satisfied enough to include him in the squad but, in the end, he will miss Rugby World Cup 2011 after suffering a serious injury to his bíceps on Sunday. The injury means Racing Metro will have no Pumas at Rugby World Cup 2011 after flyhalf Juan Martín Hernández was unable to recover in time from knee surgery and prop Juan Pablo Orlandi was left out of the squad.

In place of Galindo, Santiago Phelan has selected Córdoba´s Genaro Fessia who was widely expected to be included in the squad but was left out in favor of Julio Farias of Tucumán who played in the backrow for Argentina vs Wales int he recebnt international match in Cardiff. Fessia has been a regular player under the reign of Santiago Phelan playing matches against England, Ireland, Italy, France, Scotland and Uruguay. He made his test debut in 2007, with Marcelo Loffreda as coach, vs Ireland in Santa Fé in a match which Los Pumas won 22-20 following a late dropgoal to Felipe Contepomi. Fessia, just last week, signed for Aviva Premiership club, London Wasps to play as a professional player in England´s top flight competition. He made his debut for the club vs Itraly´s Benetton Treviso in a pre-season warm-up fixture on Saturday.

Revised Argentina Squad

Forwards

Patricio Albacete (Toulouse, France)
Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers, England)
Maximiliano Bustos (Montpellier, France)
Alejandro Campos (Unattached)
Manuel Carizza (Biarritz, France)
Agustín Creevy (Montpellier, France)
Julio Farias Cabello (Tucuman RC)
Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Toulon, France)
Genaro Fessia (London Wasps, England)
Juan Figallo (Montpellier, France)
Mariano Galarza (Unattached)
Mario Ledesma (Unattached)
Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Lyon, France)
Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Français, France)
Martin Scelzo (Agen, France)
Leonardo Senatore (GER Rosario)
Tomas Vallejos (Harlequins, England)

Backs

Horacio Agulla (Leicester Tigers, England)
Marcelo Bosch (Biarritz, France)
Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter Chiefs, England)
Felipe Contepomi (Stade Français, France)
Santiago Fernandez (Montpellier, France)
Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino (Montpellier, France)
Agustin Gosio (Newman)
Juan Imhoff (Duendes RC Rosario)
Alfredo Lalanne (London Irish, England)
Martin Rodriguez Gurruchaga (Stade Français, France)
Nicolás Sánchez (Bordeaux Begles, France)
Gonzalo Tiesi (Stade Français, France)
Nicolas Vergallo (Toulouse, France)

Eusebio Guiñazu signs for Toulouse

Formter Argentine international prop Eusebio Guinazu, has sigend for French powerhouses, Toulouse, on a short-term deal as a medical joker. His arrival is to fill the void of South African prop, Daan Human who is unavaliable through injury. The 29 year old Puma is to play for his fourth French club after playing for Toulon in 2005-2006, Agen in 2006-2007 and last season for Biarritz. He has also played Super Rugby for South African side, the Stormers. Guiñazu was part of Argentina´s training squad for Rugby World Cup 2011 and trained with the group in Pensacola, Florida but was not selected in the final squad named by coach Santiago Phelan.

Guiñazu offers a lot as he can play both prop and hooker and has done for at international level. He has played fifteen international matches for Argentinas since making his test debut in 2003 vs Paraguay. With Mario Ledesma being ruled out of the Bronze Final of France 2007, Guiñazu was called in and came on late in the match as a replacement. Guiñazu´s most recent international appearance came in 2009 vs England in Manchester as a secondhalf reaplcement for hooker Alberto Vernet Basualdo who also plays for Toulouse. In his international career, Guiñazu has scored one international try in his career, vs Venezuela in 2005.

Canada compete well in areas but fall to Australian Barbarians

This past Friday Canada played its final warm-up game before Rugby World Cup 2011 in a match against the Australian Barbarians. The match was played at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast with the home team showing its strength in depth in completing a 38-14 victory. Despite the scoreline suggesting that Canada were outplayed, the reality is different as Canada were very competitive in the forwards and were able to defend very well for lengthly periods. The Australian Barbarians had a number of internationals players who will feature at the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand including flyhalf Berrick Barnes and winger Drew Mitchell.

After fending off good early pressure from the Canadians it was the Australian Barbarians who opened the scoring as centre Rob Horne scored the games first try. The Canadians showed resolve as they continued to do well at scrumtime and went over for a well worked try as Ander Monro and DTH van der Merwe combined in what was a well-worked try. Scores were tied at 7-7 as James Pritchard succeeded in converting the try. The Australians were to go into the interval well in charge, however, as they responded with tries to wingers Rod Davies and Drew Mitchell as well as flyhalf Berrick Barnes. Canada did continue to fight back, nevertheless, and scored a second try before the halftime hooter as a van der Merwe turnover resulted in Phil Mackenzie scoring his third try in as many matches.  The halftime scoreline stood at 26-14 to the Australians. The North Americans made a number of changes during the interval but were unable to compete as well as they had done in the first half. All points were scored by the Australians with backrower Matt Hodgson going over for a try from a 5 metre scrum and Ben Tapuai scoring a late tryto complete a 38-14 victory.

Argentina players in France - Brive

The 2011-2012 French Top 14 which started on Friday has 32 Argentine players this season. Despite two of the fourteen clubs not having any players from Argentina the average number of players per club remains high with 2.29 players per team. The team with the most Argentine players is Montpellier which has six players, five of whom are to play for Los Pumas at Rugby World Cup 2011. The next best is Stade Français which has five. These two sides are both contenders for the championship and both feature players who are certain to impress for Los Pumas at New Zealand 2011. Both will be featured over the coming weeks as Rugby World Cup - Argentina 2023 is using the early rounds of the French Top 14 to take a look at the players from Argentina in France.

Brive, or as it is officially called, Club Athlétique Brive Corrèze Limousin, is a traditional French Top 14 rugby side which was founded in 1910 and plays its home matches in Brive-la-Gaillarde in the French départemente of Corréze in the Limousin region of France. The club was one of France´s best sides in the mid to late 1990´s but has since been unable to match this and has had financial issues. The club was European Champions in 1997, having defeated the Leicester Tigers 28-9 in the Heineken Cup Final in Wales. Brive were Heineken Cup finalists the following season but were defeated 19-8 by English side, Bath in Bordeaux. Despite being a European champion, Brive have never been Champions of France.

Having finished 12th in the 2010-2011 Top 14 season, Brive were close to being relegated but were able to stay in the Top 14 as La Rochelle dropped below Brive late in the season. The club has recruited some noticable players for the new season with 25 year old former English international flyhalf, Shane Geraghty joining from Northampton and former French international centre, Arnaud Mignardi joining from Agen. The team has three Pumas on the playing roster but none of them are going to play for Argentina at Rugby World Cup 2011 as they were all left out of the squad. After arriving as a Medical Joker last season, scrumhalf Agustín Figuerola went on to impress for Brive and was trhe teams first choice scrumhalf before the end of the season. His potential combination with Shane Geraghty looms as being key to Brive´s chances of a successful season. The club has lost the services of Argentine born Italian international flyhalf, Luciano Orquera who, after playing for Italy in the World Cup, is to play for Aironi in the Pro 12. The club will continue to have the services of two former Argentine international props as both Pablo Cardinali and Pablo Henn are to play another season for Brive.

Uruguay at Rugby World Cup 2003

The IRB´s Official weekly rugby show, Total Rugby, recently showed a piece on Uruguay as it continues to take a look back at some World Cup minnows as part of the build up to Rugby World Cup 2011. Uruguay are two time World Cup participants, having played in the 1999 and 2003 tournaments and winning one game on both occasions. The 1999 Rugby World Cup side was captained by the oldest player in the tournament, Diego Ormachea, who went on to coach the side at the 2003 tournament. Ormachea points out the superiority of the World Cup in Australia in 2003 to that of 1999 in Wales in which Uruguay played all of its matches in Scotland. The 2003 event being vastly superior due to not only being only in one country but having far more feeling to it as the World Cup could be seen in the streets, in business´, in hotels and elsewhere.

Together with the 2003 captain, Pablo Lamoine, Ormachea singled out the sides third match of the tournament as being the decisive one. It would define a generation of players, according to the coach of Los Teros. The matches against South Africa and Samoa were considered as being warm-up fixtures for the clash with Georgia while the fourth and final pool match, vs England was also considered as being of secondar importance. All that mattered was the clash with Los Teros and this was clear to be seen at the beginning of the match with the players singing the Uruguayan national anthem like never before and also at the end of the match with the players running into the stands to celebrate the win with their supporters. It was a lasting memory of importance for Uruguayan rugby and for the sport itself in the world. A reminder of the scale of the Rugby World Cup and that there is much more to it than just being champions. South America´s contribution to the global game extends beyond the success´of Los Pumas and this should be embraced by having Argentina host Rugby World Cup 2023.

Genaro Fessia joins London Wasps

English Premiership Rugby club, London Wasps has confirmed the arrival of three backrowers for the news season with Matt Everard, James Harris and Argentine international Genaro Fessia all joining the club. Fessia´s arrival is bitter-sweet as while he has picked up a professionla contract for an elite side he has been left out of Argentina´s squad for Rugby World Cup 2011, which starts in seven days time. Fessia´s contract has been officially classified as being a trial period with a fulltime contract being on the cards. He has been rushed into the teams first XV as Fessia has been named to start in London Wasps´s match vs Italian side Benetton Treviso in Henley. Both Everard and Harris have been included on the bench for the pre-season warm-up fixture.   

Genaro Fessia´s arrival marks his second stint playing in England after he spent a year with the Sale Sharks in 2007 when the club also had the Fernández Lobbe brothers in its playing roster. Fessia is joining the Wasps from Argentine club Córdoba Athletic from the country´s second largest city, Córdoba. He has been a semi-professional player as part of the PladAR system in Argentina over the past two years and was a member of the Vodacom Cup championship side, Los Pampas XV. The 30 year old has been capped ine times for Los Pumas and was a surprize exclusion from the squad for New Zealand 2011 after having been a regular player in 2009 and 2010 for the South Americans.  Fessia made his test debut vs Ireland in 2007 in a tight 22-20 victory in Santa Fé. His other eight internationals have been games against England, France Italy, Scotland and Uruguay.

2011-2012 French Top 14 starts today!

The worlds premier domestic competition is set to start today with six of the seven matches of Round 1 to be played and only one taking place on Saturday. There are a large number of worldclass players in the competition with players from Canada, Chile, Uruguay and the USA representing the Americas. There are also many international stars from other countries such as Australia´s  Matt Giteau, New Zealand´s Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Joe Rokocoko, Wales´ Lee Byrne and James Hook, England´s Johnny Wilkinson and Tom Palmer and South Africa´s Ricky Januarie. Pumas stars Juan Martín Hernández and Felipe Contepomi are two of 32 Argentine players in the 14 team competition.

The early rounds are not going to be sterotypical as many players are missing to international duty and will only return after the completion of Rugby World Cup 2011. The reigning Champions, Toulouse will be amongst the worst hit by missing players and will have a tough task of competiting well before late October. Toulouse are to face Bayonne in an away match first up which promises to be difficult given Bayonne´s lack of players in the French squad for New Zealand 2011 as well as player for other countries. It is a unique opportunity for Bayonne to defeat the French giants. 2009 champions, Perpignan will host Castres in a match which they would be regulary expected to win without any problems but USAP are to be missing a number of players on World Cup duty. Castres are also missing players but should be able to adapt better and, as such, get a win. Stade Français are another who will be missing plenty of players and will host newcomers, Bordeaux who also have some in the World Cup but, nevertheless, should have ahuge advantage with Stade Français missing so many players. Two teams with fewer players involved at the World Cup are two contenders for relgation in Brive and Agen. They also have players involved in the Rugby World Cup but fewer in comparison to others. It will be close to being full strength sides. Clermont will be missing lots of players while Lyon will be missing few. It is the ideal start to the season for Lyon who could begin in perfect fashion.Racing Metro vs Montpellier was a magical semi-final but neither side will be able to field anything resembling the same team from that day. The visitors will, nonetheless, be less disadvantaged. Toulon will struggle vs Biarritz given the number of players missing but it is another match that could go either way.

Friday August 26 Bayonne vs Toulouse
Friday August 26 Perpignan vs Castres
Friday August 26 Stade Français vs Bordeaux
Friday August 26 Brive vs Agen
Friday August 26 Clermont vs Lyon
Friday August 26 Racing Metro vs Montpellier
Saturday August 27 Toulon vs Biarritz

During the early rounds of the competition Rugby World Cup - Argentina 2023 will be taking an in-depth  look at the Argentine players in the Top 14.

United States Pre-RWC focus

The IRB´s weekly rugby program, Total Rugby, recently featured a piece on the United States of America which focued on the team going into New Zealand 2011. In brief  interviews with captain Todd Clever, headcoach Eddie O´Sullivan and star winger Taku Ngwenya the short video takes a look at how the USA qualified for Rugby World Cup 2011 and how the team stands at this point with the tournament fastly approaching. Clever highlights the first two matches as being the biggest with the USA´s first encounter being against world powers, Ireland on a date of high significance - September 11th. Four days latter the USA will face Russia in a match that is 66 years in the making since the beginning of the Cold War in 1945. These two matches will define the USA´s campaign and the side is eager to perform well to send home a powerful message to helpn the sport grow in the United States.

Australian Barbarians vs Canada

Canada´s final warm-up match before New Zealand 2011 is to be played in the Australian city, Gold Coast on Firday evening at Skilled Park. The North American country will face-off against a star studded Australian side featuring test stars including Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Mat Giteau, Nathan Sharpe and Matt Hodgson. While the Canadians have named a team close to being at full strength with a powerful backrow and secondrow that should surprize the home side. The last time Canada went up against an Austrlian side was in 2007 in Bordeaux, France during the Rugby World Cup. Canada defended well to prevent Australia from running away with a big win but the Wallabies were still too strong in winning 37-6.

Canada have made a number of changes to the side that defeated the USA in Glendale, Colorado recently. Veteran inside centre, Ryan Smith retunrs to replace Mike Scholz in the starting XV. The most experienced player in the Canadian squad, Ed Fairhurst, al so returns to play scrumhalf in place of Sean White while Phil Mackenzie is back to play on the wing as the third change in the backline. Australian born, James Pritchard will have the unique opportunity of playing in the county of his birth as he is set to play fullback for the North Americans. The match kicks-off at 7:30pm local time on Friday August 26.
Australian Barbarians

15 Lachie Turner (NSW Warratahs)
14 Rod Davies (Queensland Reds)
13 Rob Horne (NSW Warratahs)
12 Matt Giteau (Toulon, Frabce)
11 Drew Mitchell (NSW Warratahs)
10 Berrick Barnes (NSW Warratahs)
9 Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)
8 Pat McCutcheon (NSW Warratahs)
7 Matt Hodgson (Western Force)
6 Dave Dennis (NSW Warratahs)
5 Nathan Sharpe captain (Western Force)
4 Sitaleki Timani (NSW Warratahs
3 James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
2 Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Warratahs)
1 Ben Daley (Queensland Reds)

Reserves

16 James Hanson (Queensland Reds)
17 Pekahau Cowan (Western Force)
18 Dean Mumm (NSW Warratahs)
19 Beau Robinson (Queensland Reds)
20 Ben Tapuai (Queensland Reds)
21 Luke Morahan (Queensland Reds)
22 Mark Gerrard (Melbourne Rebels)

Canada

1 Hubert Buydens (Prairie Wolf Pack)
2 Pat Riordan captain (BC Bears)
3 Jason Marshall (BC Bears)
4 Jebb Sinclair (London Irish, England)
5 Jamie Cudmore (Clermont, France)
6 Adam Kleeberger (BC Bears)
7 Chauncey O'Toole (Ospreys, Wales)
8 Aaron Carpenter (Plymouth Albion, England)
9 Ed Fairhurst (BC Bears)
10 Ander Monro (Ontario Blues)
11 Phil Mackenzie (Esher, England)
12 Ryan Smith (Prairie Wolf Pack)
13 DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
14 Ciaran Hearn (The Rock)
15 James Pritchard (Bedford Blues, England)

Reserves

16 Ryan Hamilton (BC Bears)
17 Scott Franklin (Prairie Wolf Pack)
18 Tyler Hotson (Plymouth Albion, England)
19 Nanyak Dala (Prairie Wolf Pack)
20 Sean White (BC Bears)
21 Conor Trainor (BC Bears)
22 Nathan Hirayama (BC Bears)

New Stars since 2007 - Agustín Figuerola

Former Pumas captain, Agustín Pichot played his final test for Argentina in the Bronze Final of Rugby World Cup 2007. His boots were never going to be easy to fill and indeed this is how it has been since 2007. Argentina have used three scrumhalves during this period. Nicolas Vergallo was first choice for 2008 and the start of 2009 before Alfredo Lalanne got a chance in the home test win over England in June of that year. For the november tour of Europe in 2009 both were used as was Agustín Figuerola and it was still not clear as to which player should be Pichot´s replacement as Los Pumas first choice number 9 at New Zealand 2011. All three players have picked up professional contracts for top level sides with Vergallo playing two seasons for Dax before joining Toulouse in 2010, Lalanne joined London Irish in 2008 and Figuerola joined Brive in 2010. The move to Europe helped all three players tremendously but the one to impress the most has been Figuerola playing for Brive in the 2010-2011 season. He took his chance and received plenty of game time and this translated into move game time at international level where he has underlined himself as Pichot´s replacement. Or so it seemed as Figuerola was left out of Argentina´s squad for Rugby World Cup 2011.

Before joining Brive, Figuerola, played his rugby in Buenos Aires for the same club as Pichot, CASI. During his time at the club he has earned the nick-name El Nuevo Pichot (The New Pichot). It was not only due to him playing in Pichot´s position but also due to his playing style and, indeed, talent. His time at CASI saw him attract the interest of Argentine rugby authorities and he played for Argentina at under 21 level in 2006. He went on to play for Los Jaguares and the Pumas Sevens side and was Argentina´s scrumhalf at the 2009 Ruby Sevens World Cup in Dubai in which Argentina finished second. The Pumas Sevens side featured multilpe players who have  gone on to play professional rugby in Europe and to play test rugby for Argentina. Figuerola was jonied by players including Gonzalo Camacho, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga, Horacio San Martín and Martin Bustos Moyano. Figuerola, like all others made it to the top following the Argentine club system.



Born January 27, 1985,  Figuerola was a young player when he made his international debut but, unlike the vast majority, his first appearance did not come against a South American country. His debut came in 2008 as a replacement for Nicolas Vergallo in Argentina´s 22-14 victory over Italy in Torino. The following week he again was used as a replacement in the loss against Ireland and his third appearance came vs England as a replacement at Twickenham in November 2009. Figuerola´s run-on debut came one week after the match vs England as Wales hosted Los Pumas. His performance was not a dream debut as Argentina were defeated by a strong Welsh team. Figuerola was a replacement in the win over Scotland one week latter and also played two matches vs Scotland in 2010. He missed the 2010 tour of Europe through injury.
Despite having played seven tests for Los Pumas, Figuerola had not had impressed enough to be guaranteed a place in Rugby World Cup 2011. Only two of his test appearances were in the starting XV. His chances changed greatly, however, in late 2010 as he signed to play in France for Top 14 side, Brive. His move to France came after impressive performances for Los Pampas XV in South Africa´s Vodacom Cup in which he was the teams first choice scrumhalf ni 2010. His move to Brive was to give the club cover at scrumhalf but by the end of the season, Figuerola was the sides leading scrumhalf and also one of the best backs. The team did not have its best season, as it was near relegation but is likely to do better in 2011-2012 and Figuerola will recieve increasingly more game time.

Following the completion of the Top 14 Orange regular season, Figuerola returned to Argentina and was named at scrumhalf to play the French Barbarians in Avallaneda near Buenos Aires. Argentina was missing countless players who were still playing for their French clubs in the Top 14 play-off´s and others who had been rested. Figuerola was thus put to the test in that he would have to organize the Pumas side, a team featuring numerous players who will not make the World Cup squad. His performance underlined his progress with Brive as he looked like a superior player and scored his first try for Argentina. Figuerola´s performances over the past 12 months have been better than previously and, as such, he is likely to going to try to place the best rugby of his career to show Santiago Phelan and so that they got the selections wrong.

Worcester vs Argentina - Juan Imhoff impreses but not much else

The final match before Rugby World Cup 2011 has come and gone for Los Pumas and it was a match that was tougher than many were expecting but was a better workout than the comparable fixture from  four years ago in which Argentina comfortably defeated Belgium. Today´s 21-15 victory at Sixways Stadium in Worcester was all about being a midweek match, nothing more, nothing less. The initial lineup for the match featured no players who played vs Wales on Saturday in Cardiff and thus the players in the squad were simply being given game time. Similar matches have, in the past, been losses for the international tier one sides. Since France 2007 South Africa and Australia have both lost matches against European club sides with the Springboks losing to Leicester and the Wallabies to Munster.

Los Pumas were given a scare vs the Worcester Warriors, without question, as neither team could score a try in the first half. Worcester were able to play their own style and took a 9-6 lead into the interval as flyhalf Joe Carlisle kicked three penalties and Argentina´s Nicolás Sánchez kicked two. The secondhalf started off in a similar way with the flyhalves exchanging penalties before the new head-shaven Pumas winger, Juan Imhoff scored the games first try in the 54th minute. Carlisle responded with a penalty before a second try to Imhoff, in the 74th minute, guaranteed a win for the South Americans.

Despite the low-scoring match there were positives for Argentina. Nicolás Sánchez had a good match at flyhalf and showed superior kicking abilities to that of Felipe Contepomi vs Wales. He must now be a serious option to face England in the World Cup which would mean Contepomi would play inside centre with Santiago Fernández missing out. Uncapped secondrower, Tomas Vallejos had a solid match, especially in the lineouts as he looks like being a good bench option for the match vs England. It was a forgettable moment for unwanted xcrumhalf, Agustín Figuerola who was forced from the field midway through the first half with an injury which meant Nicolás Vergallo played one hour of the match after playing the full 80 minutes vs Wales three days earlier. Figuerola was dropped from the squad and will not play in the World Cup.

Worcester Warriors

15 Errie Claassens
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Alex Grove
12 Dale Rasmussen (captain)
11 Josh Drauniniu
10 Joe Carlisle
9 Jonny Arr
8 Kai Horstmann
7 Jake Abbott
6 Neil Best
5 Craig Gillies
4 James Percival
3 Oliver Tomaszczyk
2 Chris Fortey
1 Matt Mullan

Los Pumas

1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Agustín Creevy (captain)
3 Maximiliano Bustos
4 Tomás Vallejos
5 Mariano Galarza
6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón
7 Alejandro Campos
8 Leonardo Senatore
9 Agustín Figuerola
10 Nicolás Sánchez
11 Juan Imhoff
12 Gabriel Ascarate
13 Agustín Gosio
14 Lucas Borges
15 Lucas González Amorosino

USA at 1991 Rugby World Cup

After a succesful first Rugby World Cup in 1987 which involved a win over Japan the United States of America were looking to do better four years latter in Rugby World Cup 1991. The rugby God´s were not so kind, however, as the USA were drawn in Pool A to face World Champions, New Zealand, Italy and tournament hosts, England. If the draw wasn´t bad enough, the match schedule handed to the USA was simply cruel as the USA faced all three sides in six days. Fixtures were crammed in for the pool phase to be as quick as possible but this also disadvantaged some teams over others. New Zealand had four extras days, for instance. The USA were winless in 1991 but were able to put together impressive performances and compete well in various aspects of play.

More importantly, the experience the players had in playing a Rugby World Cup match against England at the home of rugby, Twickenham was extraordinary. The English were more organized and impressed but the USA played some great rugby of their own and scored a superb try which was recieived loud applause from the London crowd.

USA squad named for Rugby World Cup

The USA Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has named his final list of thiry players to represent the United States of America at Rugby World Cup 2007. The USA Eagles are to depart for New Zealand on September 01, eight days before the start of the tournament and will play its first match on September 11th vs Ireland in New Plymouth. They are in Pool C which aside from Ireland also includes Russia, Italy and heavyweights, Australia who are expected to make the Final which is to be played on October 23. The players will get together in Santa Barbara, California on September 28 for a final camp on US soil before departure.

The squad features ten players who played at the last Rugby World Cup, four years ago in France. Of the survivors, six players are forwards including captain Todd Clever, fellow backrowers Lou Stanfill and Iñaki Basauri as well as secondrwoer John van der Giessen and props Mike MacDonald and Mate Moeakiola. The four returning backs include vice-captain Mike Petri, centre Paul Emerick, fullback Chris Wyles and winger Taku Ngwenya. In total O’Sullivan has gone for a combination of 16 forwards and 14 backs. The squad includes four props, three hookers, three secondrowers, six backrowers, two scrumhalves, two flyhalves, four centres, four wingers and two fullbacks.

USA Squad

Prop
Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks)
Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)
Mate Moeakiola (Bobigny 93, France)
Shawn Pittman (London Welsh)

Hooker
Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club)
Phil Thiel (Life University)
 
Secondrow
Scott LaValla (Stade Français, France)
Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
John van der Giessen (Unattached)

Backrow
Iñaki Basauri (Perigueux, France)
Todd Clever (Suntory Sungoliath, Japan)
Pat Danahy (Life University)
JJ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town, South Africa)
Nic Johnson (Unattached)
Louis Stanfill (Unattached)

Scrumhalf
Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
Tim Usasz (Nottingham, England)

Flyhalf
Nese Malifa (Glendale)
Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby)

Centre
Paul Emerick (Life University)
Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)
Junior Sifa (Nottingham, England)
Andrew Suniula (Cornish Pirates, England)

Wing
Colin Hawley (Olympic Club)
Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz, France)
James Paterson (Highlanders, New Zealand)
Kevin Swiryn (Agen, France)

Fullback
Blaine Scully (Unattached)
Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)

Match Schedule

September 11 USA vs. Ireland (New Plymouth)
September 15 USA vs. Russia (New Plymouth)
September 23 USA vs. Australia (Wellington)
September 27 USA vs. Italy (Nelson)

Gabriel Ascárate close to joining Lyon

The spin-offs for young Argentine players from the 2011 Vodacom Cup in South Africa continue as the Los Pampas XV´ outside centre, Gabriel Ascárate, has been approached by Lyon OU to play as a professional at the top level in France, the Top 14. Ascárate is close to signing with the club but confirmation has been delayed due to the players current involvement with Los Pumas who are to play agaisnt the Worcester Warriors tommorrow in England with Ascárate listed to play at inside centre depsite having been left out of the Argentina squad for Rugby World Cup 2011. Earlier today, he confirmed with Argentine site, www.scrum.com.ar that he has talked to Lyon´s coaches but cannot confirm that a decision has been made due to his involvement with the Pumas squad at present. But his move to Lyon OU seems to be set to be confirmed as he, himself, said that he is highly interested and that it seems to be an excellent opportunity. He would play alongside Argentine international backrower, Juan Manuel Leguizamón who has been assisting Ascárate who has been helping him through the process.

Gabriel Ascárate has played three tests for Argentina since making his test debut as a 20 year old vs Chile in december 2007 in San Juan.  He scored a try on debut and scored another in 2010 against the same opponent. His other test was vs Uruguay in 2008 but played for Los Pumas in a non-international vs the French Barbarians in June 2011. The 23 year old has also played Rugby Sevens for Argentina including playing in the IRB Sevens World Series tournaments in the USA, Hong Kong and Australia in 2008 and in England and Scotland in 2009. He won his place after strong performances for the Argentina under 19 team in 2006 and also the Argentine under 21 side. He has also made appearances for both Los Jaguares and Argentina A against opposition including Ireland, Namibia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Tonga A and the United States of America.

He began playing his rugby in the Northern Argentine city of Tucumán for the Natación y Gimnasia club. He was a national champion after helping Tucumán win the 2010 Campeonato Argentino Final vs Rosario. He scored a try for Tucumán in the 19-13 victory. He then went on to play for Los Pampas XV in South Africa´s Vodacom Cup in 2011 before being prefered to European based professionals for a place in the Los Pumas training squad for New Zealand 2011.


With Thanks: www.scrum.com.ar
 

Worcester vs Argentina - Pumas are all changes

Los Pumas headcoach, Santiago Phelan has changed his entire starting XV for Tuesday´s match vs Worcester in England. Phelan´s team for the match vs the Worcester Warriors was named on Sunday with backrower Alvaro Galindo of Racing Metro having to pullout of the match. He was to play in the number 6 shirt but as of Monday morning it has been confirmed that Juan Manuel Leguizamón, whoc was initially named on the bench, will start in the backrow in place of Galindo. The changes are to give all squad members match time ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011 with the match in Worcester being Los Pumas final hit-out before the start of the show piece tournament on September 09.

With both captain Felipe Contepomi and vice-captain Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe being left out of the match day squad Agustín Creevy has been named as captain for the match. He will form a formidable frontrow combination with Marcos Ayerza and Maximiliano Bustos. They be be joined by a pair of young secondrowers in Tomás Vallejos and Mariano Galarza who are in competition with one another for the seconrdrowers reserves spot (the number 18 shirt) for the Rugby World Cup clash against England. The two players confirmed for the backrow are similarly fighting against one another for the Pumas 19 shirt with Alejandro Campos needing a strong match to stay ahead of Leonardo Senatore.

The backline is a vastly inexperienced and young one based on the successful Los Pampas XV who won South Africa´s Vodacom Cup earlier in 2011. Agustín Figuerola will play scrumhalf and combine with Nicolás Sánchez who is to be Contepomi´s deputy in New Zealand. The centres combination of Gabriel Ascarate and Agustín Gosio have, like Sánchez, never played an international against a tier one opponent. The abck-three appears to be the strength of the backs with Lucas González Amorosino to play fullback, Lucas Borges right wing and the star in the making, Juan Imhoff, to play left wing. Imhoff is reported to be in with a strong chance of starting vs England in place of Gonzalo Camacho.

Argentina

1 Marcos Ayerza (Leicester Tigers, England)
2 Agustín Creevy captain (Montpellier, France)
3 Maximiliano Bustos (Montpellier, France)
4 Tomás Vallejos (Harlequins, England)
5 Mariano Galarza (Unattached)
6 Juan Manuel Leguizamín (Lyon OU, France)
7 Alejandro Campos (Agenm France)
8 Leonardo Senatore (GER Rosario)
9 Agustín Figuerola (Brive, France)
10 Nicolás Sánchez (Bordeaux-Begles, France)
11 Juan Imhoff (Duendes)
12 Gabriel Ascarate (Natación)
13 Agustín Gosio (Newman)
14 Lucas Borges (Pucurá)
15 Lucas González Amorosino (Montpellier, France)

Reserves

16 Andrés Bordoy (Pau, France)
17 Juan Figallo (Montpellier, France)
18 Martín Scelzo (Agen, France)
19 Manuel Carizza (Biarritz, France)
20 Julio Farías Cabello (Tucumán)
21 Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Lyon OU)
22 Nicolás Vergallo (Toulouse, France)
23 Santiago Fernández (Montpellier, France)
24 Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter Chiefs, England)
25 Marcelo Bosch (Biarritz, France)

Pablo Huerte to play for Castres

The professional career of Chilean international secondrower, Pablo Huerte is set to continue beyond the New Zealand Championship (ITM Cup) season because following the completion of the New Zealand season he is set to join French Top 14 side, Castres. The 22 year old will join the side has signed a contract to join Castres as a espoir, meaning he is an academy player. However with Castres set to be without Samoan international secondrower, Joe Tekori and Russian international secondrower, Kirill Kulemin who will be representing their countries at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The move from Castres to sign a young player rather than go after a medical joker suggests that the club is interested in him for long term reasons, possibly to replace the aging Scott Murray. Interestingly, Huerte was spottedplaying on video by Laurent Travers while Travers was scouting a back row called Valeni Tiatia who in the end, signed for Oyonnax top play in the Pro d2.

Huerte´s move to Castres will see him link up with Uruguayn secondrower, Rodrigo Capo Ortega who has played for Castres since 2002.

With Thanks: http://www.itsrugby.fr/joueur-13023.html 

Japan 20-14 USA

Two teams looking to achieve their best ever results in a Rugby World Cup went head-to-head in Tokyo on Sunday evening as Japan hosted the United States of America in the final warm-up match for both teams before the 2011 tournament starts in New Zealand on September 09. Japan´s 22-14 victory, at the home of Japanese rugby, the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, follows up a narrow away loss vs Italy and puts the Asian side in good shape as it is targetting wins over Canada and Tonga to automatically qualify for Rugby World Cup 2015 which will be hosted by England. The Japanese victory was a two tries to one performance with Taihei Ueda, Takashi Kikutani and Takehisa Usuzuki scoring for the home side and fullback Shawn Webb slotting one conversion. USA winger, Kevin Swiryn ran in two tries for the North Americans which were both converted by flyhalf Nese Malifa. Japanese inside centre, Ryan Nicholas, also contributed to the scoring as he slotted a penalty goal in the first half.

Despite fielding a weakened side which featured no Todd Clever, Taku Ngwenya or Chris Wyles, the USA gave Japan a good match and went into halftime with a 14-8 lead. The USA Eagles were unable to score any further points after the interval as the game looked like going down to the wire. Japan´s second try of the secondhalf came in the 67th minute which put the Japanese in front with time running out. The USA fought hard and were making progress towards the try line as Japan had to defend well in the final stages of the match as the USA were hot on attack in the Japanese 22.

Japan opens its Rugby World Cup campaign with a match against France on Saturday September 10 in North Harbour while the United States of America will take on Ireland in New Plymouth on September 11 in what is to be the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Japan is in Pool A with Canada, France, New Zealand and Tonga while the USA is in Pool C with Australia, Ireland, Italy and Russia.

Japan


15 Taihei Ueda (Honda Heat)
14 Takehisa Usuzuki (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
13 Alisi Tupuailai (Canon Eagles)
12 Ryan Nicholas (Suntory Sungoliath)
11 Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory Sungoliath)
10 Murray Williams (Toyota Industries Shuttles)
9 Tomoki Yoshida (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
8 Takashi Kikutani (Toyota Verblitz)
7 Tadasuke Nishihara (Panasonic Wild Knights)
6 Sione Vatuvei (Panasonic Wild Knights)
5 Luke Thompson (Kintetsu Liners)
4 Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
3 Nozomu Fujita (Honda Heat)
2 Yusuke Aoki (Suntory Sungoliath)
1 Naoki Kawamata (Panasonic Wild Knights)

Reserves

16 Shota Horie (Panasonic Wild Knights)
17 Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory Sungoliath)
18 Toshizumi Kitagawa (Toyota Verblitz)
19 Itaru Tanguchi (Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers)
20 Atsushi Hiwasa (Suntory Sungoliath)
21 Koji Taira (Suntory Sungoliath)
22 Shaun Webb (Coca-Cola West Red Sparks)

United States of America

15 Blaine Scully (Unattached)
14 Kevin Swiryn (Agen, France)
13 Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)
12 Paul Emerick (Life University)
11 James Paterson (Otago Highlanders, New Zealand)
10 Nese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
8 JJ Gagiano (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
7 Lou Stanfill (Mogliano, Italy)
6 Patrick Danahy (Life University)
5 Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
4 Scott LaValla (Stade Français, France)
3 Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks)
2 Phillip Thiel (Life University)
1 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)

Reserves

16 Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
17 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England)
18 Nic Johnson (Unattached)
19 Ryan Chapman (Utah Warriors)
20 Tim Usasz (Nottingham, England)
21 Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby)
22 Andrew Suniula (Cornish Pirates, England)

Belisario Agulla set to sign for Agen

23 year old, Belisario Agulla, the younger brother os Los Pumas winger Horacio Agulla is set to play as a professional rugby player in France after he announced on his twitter account that he is to travel to Agen to finish all the bureacratic themes with the French Top 14 club. Belisario Agulla, like Horacio, is a winger who can also play fullback and joins the French top flight from Buenos Aires club side, Hindú. He was part of the 2011 Vodacom Cup winning side, Los Pampas XV and in joining Agen will be playing professional rugby for the first time. Agen is the home of former Argentine international centre, Miguel Avramovic and is to be the new home of Los Pumas tighthead prop, Martín Scelzo. he will be competing for a place in the starting XV against, amongst others, USA international winger Kevin Swiryn.

Belisario Agulla is a former Argentine age-grade player and has also played for Los Jaguares (Argentina A) in the IRB Nations Cup. He has played a total of six international matches for Argentina at test level but has never been able to make the full-strength squad. In his six appearances he has scored five tries - four vs Chile and two vs Uruguay. All appearances were in the South American Champion from 2009-2011 which takes place outside of the IRB test window and as such European based players are not considered. Belisario Agulla´s professional contract continues the exodus of Los Pampas XV players with Maximilano Bustos, Matias Cortese, Agustín Creevy, Mauricio Raúl Guidone, Nicolás Sanchez, Francisco Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro and Joaquín Tuculet all having signed to play the 2011-2012 season in Europe.

Wales too much for Los Pumas

Despite dominating the first 20 minutes of the match at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, Argentina were defeated 28-13 by Wales on Saturday in the sides final match for Rugby World Cup 2011. Wales´s recent matches vs England and the Barbarians were clearly visible as the Welsh were well organized and the players seemd to understand each other very well. Argentina, in contrast played some good rugby and did work well together but it was evident that the side lacks match-time together and also that the side is going to need to play better rugby at the World Cup if the side is to make the play-off´s.

Captain Felipe Contepomi scored the first points of the match with a penalty goal but it was too late as all of Argentina´s impressive work in the first 30 minutes only resulted in three points. Contepomi had a bad day with the boot as he missed his first attempt and in general play he was an inside centre wearing the flyhalf´s 10 shirt. The loss of Juan Martín Hernández was clear but cannot be an excuse as simply Argentina need to add a cutting-edge in attack. Wales, were able to withstand the pressure and end the half with two tries. The first being scored by backrower, Andy Powell and the second by winger George North. On both occasiosn Wales scored on the left wing side of the field.

Argentina made half-time substitutions in an attempt to return to the dominance of the opening 30 minutes with Martín Scelzo replacing Juan Figallo at tighthead prop and debutant Juan Imhoff entering for Gonzalo Camacho. Both players had an impact on Argentina´s attack with Scelzo adding size around the park and Imhoff adding speed as he was used to attack channels in the Welsh defense around the centre of the field. Both likely did their chances a favor and Scelzo was the player to score Argentina´s try as he carried the ball to the try line in a rolling maul to score Argentina´s only try with five minutes left on the clock. Earlier in the half winger George North had scored his second try of the match to underlçine his credentials as a likely starter vs South Africa in Wales´ tough first fixture of Rugby World Cup 2011.

Despite the scoreline not looking so good for the South Americans there were a number of positives, especially in the forwards with Manuel Carizza causing Wales all kinds of problems in the lineouts as he stole Welsh throw-ins. Juan Manuel Leguizamón was the best player on the field in the first quarter of the match as he was visble on both sides of the field as a ball carrier and support player. Rodrigo Roncero was impressive as he got through plenty of work but recieved penalties as time went on. It is debatable wtheer or not he´ll start vs England or whether Marcos Ayerza will be the loosehead prop. Scrumhalf Nicolás Vergallo has his best match in Pumas colors for quite some time as he provided the backs with good ball, organized the forwards well and made good yards with ball in hand. Mario Ledesma had a worrying match with his throwing and was replaced early in the secondhalf by Agustín Creevy who was able to leave his mark on the game with a superb performance as a hooker, especially as a ball carrier as he made plenty of yards through semi line-breaks.

With less than three weeks before New Zealand 2011 begins and both teams playing on the opening weekend there is plenty of reason to suggest Argentina and Wales´ matches vs England and South Africa will be competitive affairs. Los Pumas, despite not being able to attack as well as desired have nonetheless improved significantly from the form shown in November 2010 and the last time Los Pumas faced England the English won by 9 points with a one try win vs a Pumas side missing over half of the first XV.
Wales

15 Lee Byrne (Clermont, France)
14 Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues)
13 Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
12 Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues)
11 George North (Scarlets)
10 James Hook (Perpignan, France)
9 Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets)
8 Andy Powell (Sale Sharks, England)
7 Martyn Williams captain (Cardiff Blues)
6 Dan Lydiate (Newport-Gwent Dragons)
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
4 Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues)
3 Adam Jones (Ospreys)
2 Richard Hibbert (Ospreys)
1 Paul James (Ospreys)

Replacements

16 Huw Bennett(Ospreys)
17 Ryan Bevington (Ospreys)
18 Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys)
19 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
20 Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues)
21 Stephen Jones (Scarlets)
22 Aled Brew (Newport-Gwent Dragons)

Argentina

15 Martin Rodriguez Gurruchaga (Stade Français, Argentina)
14 Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter Chiefs, England)
13 Marcelo Bosch (Biarritz, France)
12 Santiago Fernandez (Montpellier, France)
11 Horacio Agulla (Leicester Tigers, England)
10 Felipe Contepomi captain (Stade Français, France)
9 Nicolás Vergallo (Toulouse, France)
8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Toulon, France)
7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Lyon OU, France)
6 Julio Farías Cabello (Tucumán)
5 Patricio Albacete (Toulouse, France)
4 Manuel Carizza (Biarritz, France)
3 Juan Figallo (Montpellier, France)
2 Mario Ledesma (Unattached)
1 Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Français, France),

Replacements

16 Agustín Creevy (Montpellier, France)
17 Martin Scelzo (Agen, France)
18 Mariano Galarza (Unattached)
19 Alejandro Campos (Unattached)
20 Agustín Figuerola (Brive, France)
21 Nicolás Sánchez (Bordeaux-Begles, France)
22 Juan Imhoff (Duendes)

CONSUR South American B Championship starts now!

The 2011 CONSUR - Campeonato Sul Americano B (South American B Championship) is set to begin and will be played over the next eight days in the Peruvian capital of Lima. The tournament is to have both the senior mens and the under 20 mens teams of Colombia (Los Tucanes), Costa Rica (Los Ticos), Venezuela (Los Orquídeas) and the home side, Peru (Los Tumis). Peru is the reigning champions having been the surprize package of the 2010 event in which Peru was undefeated. Peru enter the 2011 event as tournament favorites and are expected to receive the biggest challenge from Colombia with Venezuela seeded third for the event and Costa Rica fourth. At teh under 20 level Colombia is entereing as favorites, having won the 2010 event and it is expected that they will have tough contests against both Colombia and Venezuela.

The tournament is to be the last of its kind after CONSUR recently announcement a new set up of three South American divisions which will see Paraguay play in CONSUR B and Costa Rica in CONSUR C.

Match Schedule
August 21 Peru vs Costa Rica - senior mens
August 21 Colômbia vs Venezuela - senior mens
August 21 - Colombia vs Costa Rica - under 20
August 21 - Venezuela vs Peru - under 20

August 24 - Winner of game 1 vs Loser of game 2 - senior mens and under 20
August 24 - Winner of game 2 vs loser of game 1 - senior mens and under 20
August 27 - Winner of game 1 vs winner of game 2 - senior mens and under 20
August 27 - Loser of game 1 vs loser of game 2 - senior mens and under 20

Rosario in line to host Argentina vs South Africa in Four Nations 2012

Rosario is a candidate to host Argentina´s home Four Nations encounter in 2012 vs the Springboks, according to a local source. The Unión de Rugby de Rosario (Rosario Rugby Union) has begun the tendency process set out by the UAR to be a host venue for Los Pumas vs South Africa. The UAR has given all venues interested in hosting matches the opportunity of presenting its case and will make a final decision after careful consideration. Rosario is a foavorable option having hsoted Argentina vs Scotland in 2008 in which Los Pumas played in front of a capacity crowd of over 40,000. The city was also a host venue for the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship alongside Santa Fé and Paraná.

Argentina´s other two home Four Nations matches are rumoured to be hosted by La Plata and Avallenada. The clash between Los Pumas and New Zealand going to the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata in La Plata and the match vs Australia being hosted at the Libertadores de América in Avellaneda, Greater Buenos Aires. The state of the art facility in La Plata has never hsoted an international rugby match while Avallenada hosted Argentina vs the French Barbarians in June 2011.

With Thanks: www.supertry.com

USA team to face Japan

The final match for both Japan and the United States of America before New Zealand 2011 is to take place on Sunday at the home of Japanese rugby, the Prince Chichbu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo. Both teams are entering the match looking for a win after losing international matches last weekend so that they can take confidence with them to the Rugby World Cup. Given that it is a final hit-out for both countries, both have made a number of changes to their lineups to have a chance to settle on the lineups for the World Cup. Coaches John Kirwan (Japan) and Eddie O´Sullivan (USA) are to announce their 30-man squads for the tournament after the match.

The USA will be lead by scrumhalf and vice-captain, Mike Petri who takes over from Todd Clever who ahs been forced to sit out the match through injury. Clever, who is based in Japan, will, however, lead the team in New Zealand 2011. O´Sullivan has also given opportunities to many players with Mike MacDonald starting at loosehead prop for his 62nd international which is a tied record with former USA international secondrower, Luke Gross. Should MacDonald play matches in the World Cup then he´ll be the most capped player in USA rugby history. MacDonald will be joined in the frontrow by Phillip Thiel who returns at hooker and Eric Fry, who is to start at tighthead prop. The secondrow should be a strength for the USA with Stade Français´ Scott LaValla joining forces with Saracens´ Hayden Smith. With Clever missing, Lou Stanfill will start in the 7 shirt with Patrick Danahy thus playing 6 and JJ Gagiano gets an opportunity to start at 8.

Fullback, Chris Wyles who missed both matches vs Canada is not to face Japan either as e continues to recover from injury. In his place will be Blaine Scully for the third week running. Blaine will have anew partner in the back-three with James Paterson of the Super Rugby side, the Highlanders, starting on the wing with Taku Ngwenya being rested and Kevin Swiryn starting in the 14 shirt. Paterson is to make his test debut having previously played for the USA at age group level. His place in the World UCP squad will depend on how he performs in this match and it will not be easy as he goes up against Takehisa Usuzuki. O´Sullivan has opted to experiment in the midfield with Tai Enosa starting at outside centre and Paul Emerick moving to inside centre. Nese Malifa retains his place at flyhalf, despite making basic errors vs Canada, and will form a combination with the match-day captain, Mike Petri.


Japan

15 Taihei Ueda (Honda Heat)
14 Takehisa Usuzuki (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
13 Alisi Tupuailai (Canon Eagles)
12 Ryan Nicholas (Suntory Sungoliath)
11 Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory Sungoliath)
10 Murray Williams (Toyota Industries Shuttles)
9 Tomoki Yoshida (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
8 Takashi Kikutani (Toyota Verblitz)
7 Tadasuke Nishihara (Panasonic Wild Knights)
6 Sione Vatuvei (Panasonic Wild Knights)
5 Luke Thompson (Kintetsu Liners)
4 Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
3 Nozomu Fujita (Honda Heat)
2 Yusuke Aoki (Suntory Sungoliath)
1 Naoki Kawamata (Panasonic Wild Knights)

Reserves

16 Shota Horie (Panasonic Wild Knights)
17 Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory Sungoliath)
18 Toshizumi Kitagawa (Toyota Verblitz)
19 Itaru Tanguchi (Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers)
20 Atsushi Hiwasa (Suntory Sungoliath)
21 Koji Taira (Suntory Sungoliath)
22 Shaun Webb (Coca-Cola West Red Sparks)

United States of America
15 Blaine Scully (Unattached)
14 Kevin Swiryn (Agen, France)
13 Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)
12 Paul Emerick (Life University)
11 James Paterson (Otago Highlanders, New Zealand)
10 Nese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
8 JJ Gagiano (University of Cape Town, South Africa)
7 Lou Stanfill (Mogliano, Italy)
6 Patrick Danahy (Life University)
5 Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
4 Scott LaValla (Stade Français, France)
3 Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks)
2 Phillip Thiel (Life University)
1 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)

Reserves

16 Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
17 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England)
18 Nic Johnson (Unattached)
19 Ryan Chapman (Utah Warriors)
20 Tim Usasz (Nottingham, England)
21 Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby)
22 Andrew Suniula (Cornish Pirates, England)

Italy vs Japan - Argentine Luciano Orquera helps Italy home

With New Zealand 2011 fast approaching it is important to remember that there are going to be Argentine players playing not only for Los Pumas but also for Italy. The Italian squad for the tournament includes six players from Argentina and one of them, the Aironi bound Luciano Orquera, who contributed five second half points for Italy as the Europeans had to dig deep to defeat a stong performing Japanese side. The 31-24 victory in the Italian city of Cesena featured five Argentine born players with Sergio Parisse leading the team. Orquera was on the bench as was centre Gonzalo Canale, scrumhalf Pablo Canovosio and prop Martín Castrogiovanni.

Italy started the match superbly as they went 14-0 ahead inside the first 15 minutes of play thanks to two converted tries. Japan, however, were not going to give in and the side hit back before the interval thanks to two well worked tries to winger Takeshisa Usuzuki and centre Koji Taira. This made the scores 14-14 after 30 minutes of play and Japan went into the break leading 17-14 after flyhalf, James Arlidge slotted a penalty goal in the 38th minute. Italy came back strong and took back the lead five minues after the interval as hooker, Leonardo Ghiraldini, scored a try which flyhalf, Riccardo Bocchino converted. After both sides substituted a number of players, Italy scored again in the 57th minute with loosehead prop, Andrea Lo Cicero, putting Italy nine points clear. Luciano Orquera made it an 11 point lead as he slotted the coversion. Japan were back in the match as they were awarded a penalty try in the 63rd minute but any chance of a win took a dive with seven minues left on the clock as prop Hisateru Hirashima was yellowcarded. Orquera guaranteed the win as he slotted a penalty kick in the 74th minute which put Italy seven points clear.

Italy play its final match before Rugby World Cup 2011 at Murrayfield against Scotland today while Japan have a home match in Tokyo against the United States of America on Sunday. The Italian side to face Scotland has been confirmed and will feature eleven changed with five Argentine players in the starting XV as well as one Canadian. Gonzalo Canale and Gonzalo Garcia will combine in the centre with Lucaino Orquera pulling the strings at flyhalf. Martín Castrogiovanni will be the rock of the frontrow while the team will be lead by Sergio Parisse who will play in the eight shirt. Pablo Canavosio will take his place on the bench as cover for scrumhalf.

Figuerola replaces Lalanne

Despite being left out of the Pumas squad for Rugby World Cup 2011, Brive scrumhalf, Agustín Figuerola, has been flown to Cardiff to play for Argentina this Saturday against Wales at the Millenium Stadium. He takes a place on the bench in place of Alfredo Lalanne who has been ruled out of the match with a minor injury. He is expected to recover in time without any problems to be fit to take his place in the match-day 22 vs England in on September 10 as Los Pumas open their Rugby World Cup campaign.

Figuerola was flown out of Buenos Aires and has arrived in Cardiff less than 48 hours before the match - a tough ask for any player.  He was a surprize exclusion from Los Pumas squad for New Zealand 2011 after an  impressive season in the french Top 14 with Brive.

USA vs South Africa - Rugby World Cup 2007

The Final Pool match of Rugby World Cup 2007 has gone down in history not for producing the winners of the tournament, South Africa but rather for the best try, scored by USA winger, Taku Ngwenya. South Africa had won every match and had guaranteed a Quarter Final against Fiji regardless of the result vs the USA. The North Americans, in contrast, had had a tough campaign but a positive one. The USA began strongly vs England as they conceded only two tries and scored one of their own. The USA lost the game and then lost to both Tonga and Samoa in matches that should have been victories for the North Americans. The 25-21 loss to Samoa was hard for the USA to take but it underlined the growth of the USA Eagles to now be able to compete against previous Rugby World Cup Quarter Finalists.

The final match vs South Africa came too soon afterwards as the USA only had four days and had to travel from St. Etienne to Montpellier. South Africa were given a good match by the USA and despite scoring nine tries and winning 64-15 it was indeed the USA stealing all the headlines as Zee Ngwenya left Bryan Habana for dead. Habana went on to win IRB Player of the Year. The USA managed a second try with fullback Chris Wyles showing why he has gone on to have such a successful career since 2007 in England. The USA could have scored more and in fact with ten minutes remaining the Eagles did virtually everything except score a try.

Robbie Shaw to play in Wales for Scarlets

28 year old USA scrumhalf, Robbie Shaw has been training in Wales with the Llanelli based side, the Scarlets on a pre-season trial and is to play for the Western-Welsh franchise in the RaboDirect Pro 12 (Celtic League) in the upcoming season. With Welsh international scrumhalf, Martin Roberts, leaving the Scarlets to play in England for the Northampton Saints and Tavis Knoyle possibly out of the early season matches due to Rugby World Cup 2011, Shaw will compete with Gareth Davies and Lee Williams for the Scarlets number 9 shirt.


Robbie Shaw is a part of a 36 man USA Eagles training squad, of which 30 will go to New Zealand for Rugby World Cup 2011. He played last season in the English second division for Bristol and was a fan favourite at the club. He has played two international matches for the United States of America, both in June 2008.  He is in competition with Mike Petri and Tim Usasz for a place at Rugby World Cup 2011, the pair having played international rugby this month in home and away matches vs Canada.


With Thanks: www.thisissouthwales.co.uk

New Stars since 2007 - Lucas González Amorosino

At this years Rugby Wordl Cup Argentina are going to field a very different squad of player to that which finished third in Rugby World Cup 2007. The squad retains a significant number of players from France 2007 but it also includes a large amount of new stars who have coem through the system in Argentina and made their international debut´s for Los Pumas in the years since 2007. One such player is 25 year old wing / fullback, Lucas González Amorosino who made his international debut two months after Rugby World Cup 2007 while playing as an amateur in Buenos Aires for Pucará. González Amorosino, like the other young backs included in the squad, is a professional rugby player who has already played a big role in Europe. He scored the only try for the Leicester Tigers in the teams historical 22-17 victory over World Champions, South Africa in 2009.



González Amorosino´s path to becoming a professional player is similar to that of many of the young backs who will wear Pumas colors in New Zealand 2011. He made his mark playing Rugby Sevens for Los Pumas. In total, González Amorosino player in fifteen IRB Rugby Sevens tournaments from 2007-2009 and built himself a reputation of being a speedster. He earned the nickname Speedy González and was a part of the Argentine team that won the USA leg of the 2009 IRB World Sevens circuit and the side which finished second in the 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup in Dubai. He earned his place in the Argentine Rugby Sevens team after having played for Buenos Aires province and even for Los Pumas. Despite having already made his international debut it was his time playing Rugby Sevens for Argentina which made him into a talented player. His success playing Rugby Sevens tournaments for Argentina was what attracted the interests of European clubs and the Argentine selectors as he was selected to play at the elite level vs England in 2009 ahead of European professionals.



González Amorosino made his international debut vs Chile in december 2007 in San Juan. The side selected was not the first choice Pumas side at all as it took place outside of the IRB test windows. González Amorosino had a successful debut in scoring a try as a replacement winger as Los Pumas completed a 79-8 victory. Eleven months latter, González Amorosino made his second test appearance, also vs Chile but this time in Santiago. González Amorosino scored a try in Argentina´s 71-3 victory this time playing as the sides starting fullback. With the creation of the PladAR prgram, González Amorosino became a semi professional player in Argentina and went on to play for Los Jaguares vs Namibia in May 2009. His impressive form combined with his success´s playing Rugby Sevens for Argentina saw him selected in the squad to face England in June. His big moment came as Argentina hosted England in Salta with González Amorosino included on the bench. Veteran Pumas winger, Francisco Leonelli had been named on the right wing and started the match only to get injured in the 12th minute of play and be replaced by the then 23 year old, Lucas González Amorosino who took his chance and formed a good back-three with Horacio Agulla at fullback and Gonzalo Camacho on the other wing.

González Amorosino´s performance vs England confirmed him in the future plans of Argentina but he would miss the November tour of Europe with a fractured leg he picked up playing for Leicester in november before the tour had officially started. He had joined Leicester on a two year deal for 2009-2011 following the match in Salta. The injury, however, altered his season greatly as his form had been such that, despite only recently joining the club, he was a regular in the Tigers team. He recovered in time to be match fit to play for Argentina in the home series vs Scotland and France in June 2010 and after impressing vs France he would go on to start on the left wing in Argentina´s November internationals vs Italy, France and Ireland.

His 2010-2011 season for Leicester was not so impressive however as the club opted to play other squad members ahead of him. The decision had more to do with law than anything else as the Kolpak ruling limits the number of foreign players allowed in English Premiership teams. But some countries of note such as Fiji, Samoa, South Africa and Tonga do not qualify as foreign. He consequently recived little game time for Leicester and decided to look elsewhere and was signed to play in France for Montpellier on a two year deal starting after Rugby World Cup 2011. He is to link up with five other Pumas players at the club and is certain to recieve increased game time and have the opportunity of showing just how talented he is. He´ll combine in the back-three with Martín Bustos Moyano who had a dream debut season with Montpellier as the team finished second in the Top 14, for the first time in history. As of August 2011, Lucas González Amorosino has played ten tests, scoring two tries. His place in Rugby World Cup 2011 is confirmed but the competition for places in the back-three with competition coming from Agulla, Bustos Moyano, Camacho and Rodríguez mean there are no guarantees as Argentina today has a highly attacking set of outside backs which are far more dangerous than the list from France 2007.

Wales vs Argentina - Los Pumas lineup released

The head coach of Los Pumas, Santiago Phelan, has confirmed his team to take on Wales at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday in what is to be Argentina´s final international match before taking on England in Dunedin to kick-off their Rugby World Cup campaign. The lineup he has chosen is different to that whcih has been used in Argentina´s recent test series in 2009 and 2010. In the frontrow he has gone for the familiar duo of Rodrigo Roncero and Mario Ledesma but has given the young Juan Figallo a start at tighthead prop in place of Martín Scelzo who has been named on the bench. There are no surprizes in the secondrow with the first choice pair of Patricio Albacete and Manuel Carizza to lock the scrum. The same cannot be said of the backrow, or at least for the number 6 position which sees Julio Farías Cabello starting ahead of Alejandro Campos and Alvaro Galindo. Campos takes his place on the bench whcih is to be a traditional arrangement of four forwards and three backs.

Captain Felipe Contepomi has been selected at flyhalf, as predicted following the loss of Juan Martín Hernández to injury. Contepomi will play outside Nicolás Vergallo of Toulouse who gets the nod ahead of Alfredo Lalanne. The centre combination is a new one, having only played together once before at international level. Both had strong seasons in France for their respective clubs (Montpellier and Biarritz) and should offer Argentina increased options with ball in hand. The back-three combination has not played much rugby together but is the combination that is likely to face England in Dunedin. The reliable Martín Rodroguez Gurruchaga starts at fullback with Horacio Agulla playing right wing and the speedy Gonzalo Camacho playing on the left wing. The exciting Juan Imhoff has been named as cover on the bench and should be play he would make his test debut. the France bound flyhalf, Nicolás Sánchez is also on the bench as cover for flyhalf with Contepomi likely to cover the centres if need be.

The teams have met 14 times throughout history with Wales winning eight matches, Argentina five and there was one drawn match. The most recent game took place at the same venue as Satuirday´s match, with the Europeans winning 33-16. This time around, Los Pumas should be more competitive as the side has had more time to perpare together and has fourteen top-level professional players in the starting XV, compared to the 2009 fixture.

Argentina

1 Rodrigo Roncero (Stade Français), France)
2 Mario Ledesma (Clermont, France)
3 Juan Figallo (Montpellier, France)
4 Manuel Carizza (Biarritz, France)
5 Patricio Albacete (Toulouse, France)
6 Julio Farías Cabello (Tucumán)
7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Lyon, France)
8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Toulon, France)
9 Nicolás Vergallo (Toulouse, France)
10 Felipe Contepomi captain (Stade Français, France)
11 Gonzalo Camacho (Exeter Chiefs, England)
12 Santiago Fernández (Montpellier, France)
13 Marcelo Bosch (Biarritz, France)
14 Horacio Agulla (Leicester Tigers, England)
15 Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga (Stade Français, France)

Reserves:

16 Agustín Creevy (Montpellier, France)
17 Martín Scelzo (Agen, France)
18 Mariano Galarza (Los Pampas XV)
19 Alejandro Campos (Agen, France)
20 Alfredo Lalanne (London Irish, England)
21 Nicolás Sánchez (Bordeaux-Begles, France)
22 Juan Imhoff (Duendes)