Leonardo Senatore in France, about to sign with Toulon

The dream year of 2011 continues for GER Rosario backrower, Leonardo Senatore. The 27 year old broke into the Pumas squad for Rugby World Cup 2011 after an impressive display in South Africa playing for Los Pampas XV. After getting the opportunity of facing the French Barbarians in June of this year, Senatore was succeeded in winning a place in the Pumas World Cup squad where he went on to play two matches, both in the starting XV. He started at 8 vs both Georgia and New Zealand and his performances, especially vs New Zealand, have resulted in European clubs including the Sale Sharks and Toulon showing serious interest in signing the Puma. Senatore left Argentina on Sunday, bound for France and is to have a medical exam at the club on Wednesday. If he passes the test, Senatore will sign a contract as a Medical Joker with Toulon. He would be replacing regular Argentine backrower, Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe who suffered ruptured ligaments in Argentina´s World Cup match against Scotland in Wellington. Fernández Lobbe will not play again for at least five more months.

Leonardo Senatore made his test debut for Argentina vs Uruguay in May 2008. His second international appearance came six months latter vs Chile with Senatore scoring a try. His other two appearances both took place in New Zealand at Rugby World Cup 2011. Should he succeeded in passing the medial test and he play for Toulon he will be all the more likely to become a regular in the Pumas starting lineup. Senatore´s linebreak from the back of a scrum vs the All Blacks left two of New Zealand´s biggest names behind as both Kieran Read and Richie McCaw were beaten by the Puma en route to Julio Farias scoring a try.

2015 Pan American Games to have Womens Rugby

The official site of the 2015 Pan American Games, http://www.toronto2015.org/, has confirmed that the Toronto Games are to include womens rugby in four years time. In 2015 Canada´s largest city, Toronto will host the Pan American Games with the Gold Medal winning mens teams from the 2011 Games in Guadalajara, Mexico looking to not only repeat their accomplishment on home soil but also have the womens side win gold too. The Toronto games loom as being of vital importance to rugby in the Americas and around the globe as it is to be the largerst event of its kind before the 2016 Olympic Games which are to be take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Brazilian womens side realistically have a chance at a Bronze medal or better at the Pan American Games with the USA womens side likely to be favorites for Gold and Canada for Silver.

Toronto 2015 is yet to confirm the venue for the Rugby Sevens section of the Pan American Games but there is a strong possibility that Fletcher´s Field Rugby Park located in North-Eastern Toronto host the event. The message that the inclusion of women´s rugby sends to the IRB is that the sport is taken incredibly seriously in the Americas and this only goes to further underline Argentina 2023´s importance with the Americas never having hosted a Rugby World Cup and Argentina being amongst the best rugby nations on the planet.

With Thanks: www.toronto2015.org

Canada wins Rugby Gold Medal at Pan American Games

Canada are officially the Rugby Sevens Champions of the Americas after Los Pumas defeated Canada in the Final of the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on early Sunday evening. It was a highly competitive final with the lead regularly changing hands as Canada´s large contingent of Rugby World Cup players proved to give the Canucks are better side than many were anticipating before the tournament. Both Argentina and Canada qualified for the final undefeated with Canada having defeated rivals the USA on the opening day to finish on top of their Pool. Argentina´s toughest opponent on the first day was Uruguay who Argentina had few problems in defeating. Both Argentina and Canada had simple Quarter Finals but Canada had a tough re-match with the USA at the Semi Final stage which the Canucks won 21-19.

The tournament was played over two days with the eight competiting teams each playing three Pool matches on Saturday and then Quarter Finals and subsequent play-offs matches took place on Sunday. The tournament was succesful with teams able to pull-off upsets such as Brazil holding the USA to a 19-19 draw on day one. Mexico was not able to give its home fans a medal but, nonetheless, proved to be a worthy participant as did all teams at the event. Future Pan American Games should not only expand to includes Womes Rugby Sevens but also to have more teams competiting. The next addition of the Pan American Games will be hosted by Canada in the country´s largest city, Toronto in 2015.


Day One results
USA 14-7 Chile
Canada 45-0 Brazil
Brazil 19-19 USA
Canada 35-7 Chile
Canada 29-21 USA

Brazil 14- 7 Chile

Argentina 26-5 Mexico
Uruguay 20-0 Guyana
Argentina 40-0 Guyana
Uruguay 22-0 Mexico
Argentina 26-10 Uruguay
Guyana 12-5 Mexico

Day Two Results
Quarter Finals
Argentina 21-5 Chile

Uruguay 7-0 Brazil
Canada 45-0 Mexico
USA 24-12 Guyana

Battle for Fifth Place
Chile 22-0 Mexico

Battle for Seventh place
Brazil 22-7 Guyana

Semifinals
Argentina 17-5 Uruguay
Canada 21-19 USA

Bronze Final
USA 21-17 Uruguay

Gold Medal Final
Canada 26-24 Argentina

Top 14: Round 9 - Pumas, Canucks, Eagles and Teros in action

This weekends round of Top 14 rugby yet again underlined the strength of the Americas, the only region never to have hosted a Rugby World Cup. Players from Argentina, Canada, the United States of America and Uruguay all played in what is the elite level of French Rugby and is the worlds best domestic competition. The French competition continues to rise in level with more and more imported players competiting with France´s best players and as Rugby World Cup 2011 showed, the global game is all the better because of it with top performers from the likes of Argentina, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Georgia, Romania, South Africa, Samoa, Tonga and Wales all playing for leading French sides.

The round kicked off on Friday with one match as Castres hosted Paris side, Racing Metro and were looking likely to notch up another win in what has been a superb start to the season. Thje Parisians fielded a vastly weakened lineup yet were successful as winning the match 23-19. Castres looked likely to win as they had five minutes of possession after the fulltime mark of 80 minutes. With Racing Metro leading by four points the home side pressed for a try as they already had a bonus point guaranteed. After conceeding multiple penalties, Racing Metro mmanaged to turnover the ball and hold on for victory. The match was the debut of Los Pumas World Cup winger, Juan Imhoff who played the entire match and had a hand in setting up Virimi Vakatawa´s try. Former Argentine international tighthead prop, Juan Pablo Orlandi also featured as he started for the Parisians whilst Uruguayan international forward, Rodrigo Capó Ortega was a secondhalf replacement for Castres. Argenitne flyhalg, Juan Martín Hernández and backrower, Alvaro Galindo were both rested for Racing Metro.




The remaining twelve teams were scheduled to all be in action on Saturday. The match between Bordeaux-Begles and Lyon OU was postponed, however, and as such both teams handed struglling side Biarritz a great chance to get off the bottom of the ladder.  One of the traditional French giants, Biarritz, sit bottom of the table and had a tough away match against the 2010 champions, Clermont. The home side were expected to win as Biarritz was without its French stars (as were Clermont) from World Cup duty. Biarritz were also missing Marcelo Bosch who was rested after picking up a minor injury last weekend.  Clermont, indeed, got the win and picked up a bonus point in scoring five tries but not only did the central Frence side win but they dominated in demolishing Biarritz 41-0. Italy´s Argentine born centre, Gonzalo Canale scored one of Clermont´s tries and was joined in the starting lineup by Canadian international secondrower, Jamie Cudmore. The Canuck went head-to head with Argentina´s Manuel Carizza while a second Argentine player, Francisco Gómez Kodela started at prop. He played against France´s outstanding frontrower, Thomas Domingo who missed the World Cup through injury. Sadly for him, for France and for global rugby, he was badly injured whem a Biarritz player cleaned out a ruck in which Domingo was defending. His season may well be over. USA international winger, Taku Ngwenya started on the right wing for the Basque side.


ASM : L'Interview de Thomas Domingo por asm
Biarritz´s Basque neighbours, Bayonne have similarly struggled in early season matches and were in for a tough assignement on Saturday as they hosted the 2009 French Champions, Perpignan. USAP has not been its usual self thus far with the sides French World Cup players being severely missed. The match was thus vital to both sides and Bayonne´s 18-16 win has releaved the pressure on the team who will now face Biarritz at San Sebastien, Spain in round ten. The match was the last ever game for 37 year old former Argentine international secondrower, Rimas Alvarez who joined the side over a decade ago and helped the side to multiple French and Heineken Cup finals.


Résumé du match Bayonne USAP Oct 11 por USAP_Communication

The high-spending Toulon hosted Brive who have been performing better than normal so far this season. The teams were both close to being at fullstrength due to the lack of French international players in their ranks as compare to that of most other teams in similar positions on the ladder. Both, however, were without Pumas players with Toulon missing Argentine vice-captina and backrower, Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe and Brive missing scrumhalf Agustín Figuerola. Toulon with English international flyhalf, Jonny Wilkinson on target were able to dominate Brive as he kicked six penalties in Toulon´s 18-3 tryless match. Former Argentine international loosehead prop, Pablo Henn played for Brive after coming off the bench as a replacement.

The traditional classic of Toulouse vs Stade Français has been tarnished over the past two seasons with the Parisian side unable to live up to its standards. This season the club has been boosted by the arrival of a large contingent of international stars including Paul Williams who impressed for Samoa at Rugby World Cup 2011 and Argenitna´s captain, Felipe Contepomi. The Parisians proved to be stronger than in their recent appearances in Toulouse but ther home side were still the stronger as Toulouse won the contest 18-15. Contepomi contributed to the scoreboard as he slotted a secondhald dropgoal as Stade Français looked to fight back but came up three poins short. Contepomi started at flyhalf and formed a 10-12 pivot combination with Argentina´s World Cup fullback, Martín Rodríguez Guruchaga. Pumas loosehead prop, Rodrigo Roncero also started for Paris in the frontrow as did Argentine born Italian international captain and backrower, Sergio Parisse. The side also had a North American as USA Eagles secondrower, Scott LaValla was on the bench for the Parisians. Toulouse were without Pumas secondrower, Patricio Albacete who is out injured with an ankle injury but there were three Argentine players on the park for Toulouse. Nicolás Vergallo started at scrumhalf and played the full 80 minutes. He was joined in the starting lineup by former Pumas hooker, Alberto Vernet Basualdo who was replaced by another former Pumas frontrower, Eusebio Guiñazú.


The rounds final match took place in Agen with last seasons strugglers continuing their great start to the season with an 18-12 victory over last seasons beaten finalists, Montpellier. Agen has the adcantage of having no World Cup players while Montpellier was still missing its two French internationals. Both sides had multiple Argentine players with the home side featuring former Pumas outside centre, Miguel Avramovic in the 13 shirt and 35 year old veteran tighthead prop, Martín Scelzo in the starting lineup. Avramovic played the full 80 minutes while Scelzo played for 75 minutes. Montpellier had five of its six Argentine players with Lucas González Amorosino making his debut on the wing. He was joined in the back three by unwanted Argentine international winger / fullback Martín Bustos Moyano who played fullback and was ther teams goalkicker. Bustos Moyano kicked nine points for Montpellier while Los Pumas international flyhalf, Santiago Fernández started at 10 for Montpellier and slotted a first half dropgoal. Two other World Cup Pumas were on debut with hooker Agustín Creevy and prop Maximiliano Bustos both entering the match as replacements. Juan Figallo did not play for Montpellier due to injury and is rumoured to be out for the season due to injury according some rumours circulating French social media.

Top 14 Orange Standings

1 Clermont 35
2 Toulouse 32
3 Castres 31
4 Toulon 28
5 Agen 24
6 Racing Metro 21
7 Brive 18
8 Perpignan 18
9 Stade Français 16
10 Bayonne 15
11 Montpellier 14
11 Bordeaux-Begles 13 *
13 Lyon 12 *
14 Biarritz 10

* Game in hand

USA vs Japan - August 2011

This weekend sees the kick-off of the 2010-2011 Japanese professional season  - the Japanese Top League, with USA Eagles captain, Todd Clever, playing for Suntory Sungoliath. The Tokyo based side is one of three teams from Japan´s captial city in the fourteen team competition. It is to be Clever´s second season with the club after he joined from South African side the Lions. Earlier in 2011, Suntory were crowned All Japan Champions after they defeated the Sanyo Wild Knights 37-20 in the final played at the Prince Chichbu Memorial Rugby Ground. The venue is also known as Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium and it hosted a Rugby World Cup warm-up match between Japan and the USA in August. Clever was a part of the USA Eagles team in Tokyo for the match but was not selected for the match as he was deemed to require rest time after two physical matches vs Canada over the previous two weekends. Scrumhalf, Mike Petri captained the Eagles in place of Clever.

The match was a highly competitive affair with the USA winning at halftime to suggest they would be able to challenge Ireland in the teams opening match of Rugby World Cup 2011. Like the Eagles match vs Ireland they were able to defend well against Japan and had the hosts under pressure as they held a 14-8 lead at the interval. The strong defensive line was supported by a good scrum with Mike MacDonald becoming the most capped USA player of all time. The first half was also highly influenced by the weather with rain contributing to a number of handling errors from both sides. The hosts were a different side after the break with the fitness of the Japanesse proving to be of thequality of a first tier side. the USA, on the other hand, seemed to run out of steam midway through the secondhalf whcih allowed Japan to get on top and take control of the match. The USA did fight back with the likes of Paul Emerick, Tai Enosa, Scott Lavalla, and Shawn Pittman all pressing hard for places in the World Cup fixture vs Ireland. The final score of 20-14 was better one than that when the USA toured Japan for two tests in 2008.

USA Eagles


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) *Captain
8 Jonathan Gagiano (University of Cape Town)
7 Lou Stanfill (Mogliano, Italy)
6 Pat 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 (Chicago Griffins)

Lucas González Amorosino to debut for Montpellier

Last seasons runners-up, Montpellier, are to face Agen in round nine of the 2011-2012 French Top 14 tommorrow in an away match. The team has been hard hit by Rugby World Cup 2011 with a large number of players unavaliable for club duty. Still unavaliable for this weekends clash with Agen are French Rugby World Cup finalists, François Trinh-Duc and the club captain, Fulgence Ouedraogo. The pair were both on France´s bench for the final which New Zealand won 8-7 on Sunday in Auckland. Trinh-Duc was an early replacement for Morgan Parra who went off after recieving a knee to his head by All Blacks captain, Richie McCaw. Trinh-Duc had been dropped from the French starting XV after a poor showing vs Canada but came back to perform very strongly in the final. With Trinh-Duc having been given the week off, the teams regular inside centre, Argentine international flyhalf, Santiago Fernández has been selected at 10.

Fernández will be joined by three fellow Rugby World Cup Pumas as well as the unwanted Martín Bustos Moyano who is to start non the left wing and be charged with the goal kicking responsibilities for Montpellier. Bustos Moyano will be joined by the on-form Pumas linebreaking machine, Lucas González Amorosino in the back three as Argentina´s hero try scorer vs Scotland is set to make his debut in France at fullback. Pumas reserve World Cup hooker, Agustín Creevy has been named on the bench for Montpellier and should he appear he would be making his debut for the club having formerly played in France for both Clermont and Biarritz. Creevy is in line to be Argentina´s first choice hooker in 2012 following the retirement of Mario Ledesma. Tighthead prop, Maximilano Bustos did not recieve any game time for Los Pumas at the World Cup despite being in the squad. He joins Creevy on the bench and is likely to make his debut for Montpellier as a secondhalf replacement, possibly vs Pumas teammate, Martín Scelzo who has been named in Agen´s starting lineup at tighthead prop. Juan FIgallo will not feature for Montpellier after he underwent surgery following New Zealand 2011 and is to be out of action for two months.

Montpellier

15 Lucas González Amorosino
14 Martín Bustos Moyano
13 Thomas Combezou
12 Paul Bosch
11 Yoan Audrin
10 Santiago Fernández
9 Benoit Paillaugue
8 Sakiusa Matadigo
7 Rémy Martin
6 Mamuka Gorgodze
5 Thibaut Privat (captain)
4 Drickus Hancke
3 Giorgi Jgenti
2 Rassie van Vuuren
1 Na´ama Leleimalefaga

Reserves: Creevy, Shvelidze, De Marco, Bost, Tomas, Perraux, Thiery, Bustos

Agustín Pichot inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame

Former Argentina scrumhalf and captain at Rugby World Cup´s 2003 and 2007, Agustín Pichot, was inducted to the IRB Hall of Fame on Monday at a ceremony held at the Cector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. Pichot becomes the second Puma to join the elite Hall of Fame following former flyhalf, Hugo Porta. An emotional Pichot declared to Argentine journalists at the ceremony that "I am happy to be here. Many memories of my career have been passing through my mind. I would like to share this with the the that have always been at my side and are with me now". The former legendary scrumhalf has had a lot to do with the acceptance of Los Pumas in the Tri Nations, starting in 2012 which is an indication that the former Puma has only just begun his contribution to Argentine and global rugby.

There was also a Canadian added to the Hall of Fame with former Canadian international flyhalf and Captain, Gareth Rees, being inducted. Rees is regarded as one of the best and most important players that Canada has ever produced. he was involved in significan Canadian monets such as wins over Italy and Wales in the 1990´s.

Juan Imhoff to debut for Racing Metro

The emergence of 23 year old Argentine winger, Juan Imhoff has been as swift as they come and the players dream 2011 is about the get bigger following confirmation from Top 14 side, Racing Metro that the young Puma is to start for the Parisians Top 14 Orange match on Friday vs the second placed Castres. Imhoff has been named on the left wing in what is an experimental back line. he will be joined by former Argentine international tighthead prop, Juan Pablo Orlandi, in the starting XV while the pair of Juan Martín Hernández and Alvaro Galindo have both been rested for this fixture as have a host of regular first choice players for the Parisian side. Both Imhoff and Orlandi are chasing places in the Pumas squad that will make its debut in the new Four Nations tournament starting in 2012 and so their selection is an important opportunity for both players.

Imhoff joined Racing Metro following Rugby World Cup 2011 where he impressed with tries against Romania and Georgia. His pace, from the bench, vs both England and New Zealand saw him overshadow some established players in the Pumas side.

Racing Metro

15 Germain Gaitan
14 Julien Saubade
13 Virimi Vakatawa
12 Guillaume Boussès
11 Juan Imhoff
10 Sébastien Descons
9 Matheiu Lorée
8 Remi Vaquin
7 Bernard Le Roux
6 Antoine Battut
5 Jone Qovu
4 Karim Ghezal
3 Juan Orlandi
2 Gregory Arganese
1 Julien Brugnaut

Reserves

16 Bianchin, 17 Ben Arous, 18 Metz, 19 Lane, 20 Durand, 21 Jané, 22 Come, 23 Coetzee

Pan American Games Rugby Sevens - Preview Brazil

In the final look at the eight participating countries in the groundbreaking 2011 Pan American Games, in Guadalajara, Mexico, it is time to look at what may be the dark horses of the tournament, Brazil. Ranked fourth in South America behind Argentina, Uruguay and Chile is a country in which rugby is booming with new clubs springing up with regularity and playing numbers growing at faster rates than in any other sport. The country has a domestic championship, something World Cup Bronze Medal winners, Australia lack. The players have been experiencing increased exposure in both Rugby union and Sevens with Brazil playing much more frequently in 2010 and 2011 than five years previosuly. The incerased exposure has seen the level rise with Brazil defeating Argentina in the 2011 South American Sevens Championship. The history making win was the first time that Argentina had lost to its Portuguese speaking neighbours and Brazil went on to finish third after losing a Semi Final to Uruguay but recovering to defeat Chile in the battle for third place.

Brazil is to face Chile in Guadalajara as well as Canada and the United States of America. The match vs Chile has been singled out as a must win match but Brazil has shown so much improvement that wins vs the North Americans are not out of the question. The team is captained by Fernando Portugal who is a former professional player, having played in Italy for two years. He left Brazil looking for a professional contract alongside Sevens teammate Erick Cogliandro who was also to play in Italy as a professional but was injured in a pre-season match. Another player of note is Lucas Rodrigues Duque who stared for the CONSUR XV in June of this year as Argentina took on a South American XV in San Juan. Duque was the only try scorer for the South American XV, scoring two tries after chasing his own kicks through.

Brazil Squad


Daniel Hubert Gregg (Niterói)
Diego Martins Gimenes Lopez (Pasteur)
Diogo Borges Reno (São José)
Erick Monfrinatti Cogliandro (São José)
Felipe Claro Santana Silva (SPAC)
Fernando Henrique Jungers Portugal captain (Bandeirantes)
Henrique Dantas Pinto (São José)
João Luiz da Ros (Desterro)
Lucas Rodrigues Duque (São José)
Moisés Rodrigues Duque (São José)
Rafael Santos Dawailibi (São José)

LV=Cup - Round Two

The second round of the 2010-2011 LV= Cup was played over the weekend and featured a number of Argentine players as well as players from both the United States of America and Canada. There were players on show from Rugby World Cup 2011, many playing their first match of the season. The weekend started with two matches being played on Friday in England. The Leicester Tigers hosted Western English side, Gloucester and were dominant with the return of a host of players from World Cup duty. The Tigers 40-14 bonus point win included a try to Argentine international winger, Horacio Agulla who was also joined by fellow World Cup Puma, Marcos Ayerza who played at loosehead prop. The form of both players is going to be more important than ever this season following the strong performances of other Argentine players in their positions. Ayerza is in line to be Argentina´s starting loosehead prop in place of Rodrigo Roncero but has competition from a number of French based players.



The London based Harlequins continued to impress with a 37-25 away victory vs the Sale Sharks in the days other match. The one time capped Argentine international flyhalf, Benjamín Urdapilleta, played the full 80 minutes for the winners at outside centre. The club seems to like him in this position after having played him there in earlier matches. His form is encouraging as he looks to break into the Pumas squad to play in the Four Nations tournament in 2012. He was joined by Argentine international secondrower, Tomas Vallejos Cinalli who came on as a secondhalf repalcement for the Quins. Vallejos Cinalli was a part of the Argentine squad that competed at Rugby World Cup 2011 and he made his international debut in Argentina´s pool clash with Georgia, also as a replacement.



Three matches were played on Saturday with Welsh side the Ospreys playing host to English powerhouse the Northampton Saints in Swansea. The English side were a handful as they impressed with a 32-22 victory, scoring four tries  in the process to pick up a bonus point. The increasingly global face of rugby was again evident with Russian international winger, Vasily Artemyev again scoring for the Saints. He was joined by USA international secondrower, Samu Manoa who missed the World Cup due to a problem with his contract. The Ospreys had a Canadian international in its team with international backrower, Chauncey O´Toole making his debut for the Welsh region as a secondhalf replacement. The days other matches saw Bath notch up an impressive 46-13 victory over the Worcester Warriors in Bath. While Welsh region, the Newport Gwent Dragons were impressive as they defeated Englsih side the London Wasps 30-29 in London.




There were also three matches on Sunday with none of them being overly close. An All-Welsh match took place in Cardiff as the Cardiff Blues played host to the Scarlets and were badly defeated in going down 30-3. Both teams were missing a number of players to World Cup duty with Wales facing Australia in the Rugby World Cup Bronze Final on Friday in Auckland. London Irish had a good home win as they defeated the Newcastle Falcons 39-23 in Reading while fellow London side, Saracens also had a win as they defeated the Exeter Chiefs 43-20 in London. The Chiefs were without its Argentine duo of flyhalf Ignacio Mieres and Pumas World Cup right winger, Gonzalo Camacho.

Pan American Games Rugby Sevens - Preview Chile

One of the most interesting matches of the Guadalajara Sevens competition is going Chile vs Brazil. The two South American countries are in the same pool as both North American powers, Canada and the USA and are therefore not likely to feature in the Semi Finals. Their match, however, looms as being highly competitive and one which either side has a strong chance of winning. Chile are the better side, in terms of history, but it was Brazil who finished third in the 2011 South American Sevens in Bento Gonçalves with Brazil defeating Chile to secure third position. Such has been the groeth of Brazilian rugby that South America´s biggest country is now able to compete against Chile and Uruguay in both Sevens and rugby union itself. Chile, however, still has the reputation as being South America´s number three and has everything to play for in the Pan American Games.

Known as Los Cóndores, Chile is a team of potential in Rugby Sevens and has competed in a large number of IRB events, often instead of Uruguay after qualifying ahead of the two time Rugby World Cup participant. In the Las Vegas leg of the IRB World Sevens circuit Chile defeated Japan, a country who is, as of 2011, to host a leg of the new expanded series. Chile has shown an ability to score beautiful tries despite having few opportunities to play at the top level. When given the chance, Chile can knock over highly respected sides. In the 2007 USA Sevens in San Diego, for instance, Chile recorded a 19-17 win over Canada. The two sides are in the same pool in the Pan American Games but Canada´s squad appears to be a very good one with over half of the players having played at Rugby World Cup 2011 where Canada defeated Tonga and drew with Japan.

Australia vs Chile, 2008 USA Sevens


Brazil vs Chile, 2011 South American Sevens

Lucas González Amorosino second best linebreaker at World Cup

The hero from Argentina´s World Cup match vs Scotland, Lucas González Amorosino, has been highlighted in Britiains leading newspaper, The Telegrpah, as the second highest linebrekaker at Rugby World Cup 2011. Despite only starting two matches out of the five that Los Pumas played, González Amorosino rates higher than every player at the World Cup except for Welsh winger, George North. This coincides with former All Blacks captain, Tana Umaga, selecting his try vs Scotland as one of the best five of the World Cup. The list of top five tries, in no particular order was All Blacks centre, Ma'a Nonu whose try vs Australia was the only in the Semi Final. In addition, French winger Vincent Clerc scored a brilliant try against England, Welsh prop Gethin Jenkins scored like a centre vs Namibia and USA Eagles scrumhalf, Mike Petri went over for an outstanding try vs Russia.

The Pumas back who played a total of 188 minutes (two and a half matches combined) was second string to Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga of Stade Français. They are to play on oppsite teams this season as González Amorosino will be playing for Montpellier. More amazing still is that the World Cup´s leading linebreaker, George North, broke the defensive line 23 times while González Amorosino made 22 linebreaks. The next two best were All Blacks Jerome Kaino and Richard Kahui who both made 17 linebreaks but played much more rugby, as did North, than the Puma. There was a second player from the Americas in the top ten with Canadian international outside centre, DTH van der Merwe breaking the line 15 times to be the eighth top linebreaker in the tournament.

World Cup Linebreaks
George North (Wales) 23
Lucas González Amorosino (Argentina) 22
Richard Kahui (New Zealand) 17
Jerome Kaino (New Zealand) 17
Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand) 16
Jonathan Davies (Wales) 16
Manu Tuilagi (England) 16
DTH van der Merwe (Canada) 15
Ma´a Nonu (New Zealand) 14
Cory Jane (New Zealand) 14
Maxime Medard (France) 14
Sean Lamont (Scotland) 14
Max Evans (Scotland) 14

With Thanks: www.rugbyfun.com.ar

Pan American Games Rugby Sevens - Preview Uruguay

Having competed at two Rugby World Cup´s, Uruguay are a team of note in the Pan American Games. Los Teros are South America´s second best side at all levels, having regularly defeated all others except for Argentina. In the Pan American Games, Uruguay are to play in Pool A alongside Guyana, Mexico and neighbours, Argentina. The friendly draw means Uruguay are strong medal contenders as they should have little problems in defeated Guyana and Mexico and thus should finish second in the Pool behind Los Pumas. Such a scenario would mean Uruguay would face the third best team from Pool B (Brazil, Canada, Chile and the United States of America) in the second round and again, likely win the match to, in the end, play in the Bronze Final. Should Uruguay win the group and the first play-offs match, Los Teros would have a probable Semi Final clash against the USA.

Uruguay enters the Guadalajara tournament having had a mixed record in recent years. Los Teros played in the 2009 Rugby Sevens World Cup in Dubai after qualifying by defeating Chile 31-19 in the final of the South American qualification zone. Uruguay lost its three pool matches in Dubai to Argentina, Wales and Zimbabwe but defeated Japan 19-12 in the Bowl Quarter Final. It was Uruguay´s only win of the tournament. Uruguay also participated in the Hong Kong and Las Vegas legs of the 2009 IRB World Sevens circuit. In 2010 Los Teros did not play in any global event but in 2011 Uruguay played in Las Vegas agfter finishing second in the South American Rugby Sevens Championship in Bento Gonçalves, Brazil.

Uruguay Squad

German Albanell
Santiago Arocena
Felipe Berchesi
Sebastian Cuello
Rodrigo Espiga
Federico Favaro
Juan Martin Llovet
Manuel Martínez
Rodrigo Martinez
Agustín Ormaechea
Alejo Parra
Alberto Roman
Luis Pedro Achard - Head Coach
Juan Carlos Taborda – Manager
Juan Carlos González –Physiotherapist
Ignacio Crosa - Trainer

Hong Kong Sevens 2009 - Uruguay vs Portugal


2011 South American Sevens Championship - Brazil vs Uruguay

Matt Evans signs for the Cornish Pirates

Canadian international utility back, Matt Evans is to play in England after the 23 year old signed a contract with English second division side, the Cornish Pirates. His move to England comes a year after he signed for Welshside the Newport Gwent Dragons. His time with the Dragons did not go as good as he would have desired as some below par performances saw him dropped and he was unable to recover. He was signed by the Welsh side after impressive form for Canada in the 2010 Churchill Cup but was unable to transfer this form in Europe. His performances for Canada in 2011 were also not as good as they were in 2010 with Evans unable to secure the flyhalf or fullback position for his country. Evans played two matches at Rugby World Cup 2011, both as a replacement in Canada´s matches vs Japan and New Zealand.

His move to the Cornish Pirates will see him team up with USA international inside centre, Andrew Suniula who has joined the club following the completed of the USA Eagles´ involvement at the Rugby World Cup. before joining the English side, Evans is to play for Canada in Guadalajara, Mexico at next weekends Rugby Sevens event at the Pan American Games. Evans is likely to become the starting fullback for the Cornish Pirates, a team the 16 tiem capped international played against last season in a match for the Dragons. He is set to arrive at then club on November the 2nd.

Pan American Games Rugby Sevens - Preview Canada

The USA have come out talking loud as the official site of USA rugby http://www.usarugby.org/ has declared that the USA Eagles are targetting the Gold Medal at Guadalajara. It is ambitious but certainly not far-fetched but the favorites are Argentina who have dominated all forms of mens rugby in the Americas in recent history. The two countries are considered likely contenders for Gold and thus probable opponents in the final. Such suggestions are highly misleading however, as Canada have selected a very strong squad for the Pan American Games and look like being serious contenders for the Gold Medal. Canada are on the tough side of the draw as they are to go up against Brazil, Chile and the USA in pool play. In order to have a realistic change of winning Gold the Canada vs USA match is paramount as the runner-up is likely to face Argentina at the Semi Final stage with the winner likely to have an easier route with a probable match against Uruguay.

Canada´s involvement in the Pan American Games comes at a near perfect time as the Canada has only recentlty returned from Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand in which Canada impressed with a win vs Tonga and a draw vs Japan. A number of players who featured in Canada´s Rugby World Cup campaign have been included in the squad to play in Guadalajara, Mexico. The Twelve-man Canadian squad features seven players who competed at New Zealand 2011 but one has had to withdraw with Adam Kleeberger missing out. But another Canadian World Cup player who was not initially selected has earned a late call up with Sean White a late change to the squad.  Conor Trainor who scored two tries vs the All Blacks in the New Zealand vs Canada Pool A match in Wellington is in the squad as is backrower Nanyak Dala, wingers Ciaran Hearn and Taylor Paris, flyhalf Nathan Hirayama, fullback Matt Evans and centre Mike Scholz. Other notable players in the Canadian squad are Sean Duke who was a surprize exclusion from Canada´s World Cup squad and Phil Mack who is the leading points scorer for Canada in IRB Rugby Sevens fixtures.  

Canada´s impressive roster is more than capable of winning Gold and this certainly should be the teams objective. In four years time, the 2015 Pan American Games are to be hosted by Canada in the country´s largest city, Toronto. Canada therefore have extra motivation ahead of the event on home soil in four years time.

Canadian Squad

Tyler Ardron (Peterborough, ON) (Ontario Blues)
Nanyak Dala (Saskatoon, SK) (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Sean Duke (Vancouver, BC) (British Columbia)
Matt Evans (Duncan, BC) (Unattached)
Ciaran Hearn (Conception Bay, NFLD) (The Rock)
Nathan Hirayama (Richmond, BC) (British Columbia)
Phil Mack (Victoria, BC) (The Rock)
John Moonlight (Pickering, Ontario) (Ontario Blues)
Taylor Paris (Barrie, ON) (Ontario Blues)
Mike Scholz (Oakville, ON) (Ontario Blues)
Conor Trainor (Vancouver, BC) (British Columbia)
Sean White (Victoria, BC) (BC Bears)

Hong Kong Sevens 2010 - China vs Canada


Hong Kong Sevens 2011 - Canada vs Japan

French Top 14 - Round 8

Round 8 of the 2010-2011 Top 14 Orange featured plenty of Argentine action with a large contingent of Pumas players from Rugby World Cup 2011 back in action for the French clubs. There was also a number of USA players as well as an international player from both Canada and Uruguay. It was another case in point of why bringing Rugby World Cup 2023 to the Americas is the right thing to do as the only region which by 2019 will not have hosted a Rugby World Cup has a large number of players matching it with the best players from France, the same country which played in a Rugby World Cup final for the third time in history earlier today.

Action kicked off in Perpignan on Friday evening with the 2009 French Champions hosting the 2010 champions. Perpignan´s famous Aimé-Giral Stadium was the venue of one of the bworst performances for the Catalans ever as visitors, Clermont ran riot in defeating Perpignan 39-3 with a blaze of five unanswered tries. Former Argentine international secondrower, Rimas Álvarez Kairelis played his final match at home for Perpignan as the veteran is set to retire at the end of this month. Álvarez Kairelis has been playing for Perpignan since 2001 and has been through the battles, appearing in Heineken Cup finals and Top 14 finals for the club. He was a part of the 2009 French Championship side. Àlvarez Kairelis started in the secondrow and played 67 minutes before being replaced. He played against Canadian international secondrower, Jamie Cudmore who is into his seventh year with the club. Àlvarez Kairelis´ final match will be next weekend with Perpignan facing Bayonne in an away match.



Last years beaten finalists, Montpellier. have been feeling the pinch as a lagre number of players have been unavaliable so far due to their involvement in Rugby World Cup 2011. The teams home match vs Castres on Saturday featured Georgian international backrower, Mamuka Gorgodze but the majority of other World Cup players did not feature due to their latter return to the club. Castres, on the other hand, were at full strength and came back from a half time deficit to win the match 21-16 and hold onto top spot of the Top 14, tied with Clermont. Uruguayan international, Rodrigo Capó Ortega played secondrow for Castres while Montpellier had two of its six Argentine playing. Argentine international flyhalf, Santiago Fernández made his return as a second half replacement from the bench and came close to winning the match for Montpellier with a kick through but the chase was not up to the mark. Martín Bustos Moyano, who missed out on World Cup selection, also came on as a substitute and kicked a secondhalf penalty for the hosts.

Two of France´s most famous cities, Toulouse and Bordeaux met in Toulouse with the host team firm favorites despite missing a host of players to international duty as France was preparing to play in the World Cup final. Toulouse´s 56-6 win over Bordeaux-Begles was a shake up to the newcomers to the Top 14 as things are only going to be tougher as clubs welcoem back their World Cup players. The first half was a far closer match than the scoreline suggests as Toulouse scored six of its seven times after the interval. Former Argentine international hooker, Alberto Vernet Basualdo started for Toulouse in this postion, while three other Argentine players came on as replacements. Two of Argentina´s key World Cup players, Patricio Albacete and Nicolás Vergallo made their first appearances since returning from New Zealand while former Pumas international frontrower, Eusebio Guiñazú also got some game time late in the match. It was not a good return for Albacete who left the field injured after hurting his right ankle. Former Argentine international winger, Rafael Carballo played centre for Bordauex-Begles while Nicolás Sánchez could make his debut for the club next weekend.

Bottom of the table Biarritz hosted the other enwcomers to the Top 14, Lyon with both teams needing a win to get get out of the relegation zone. It was not to be, however, as the teams competed to a 15-15 draw. The result sees Biarritz remain in last place while Lyon jump ahead of Bayonne to sit in twelfth position, just outside of the relegation zone. Argentine prop Francisco Gómez Kodela made his first appearance for the club since recently arriving from Argentina. he was in the starting lineup as were the returnging World Cup duo of Marcelo Bosch and Manuel Carizza. Bosch played flyhalf and kicked a penalty for Biarritz while Carizza scored his teams second and final try of the match. The Sotuh American trio was joined by USA international winger Taku Ngwenya who played on the right wing for Biarritz. Argentine international backrower, Juan Manuel Leguizamón made his debut for Lyon as a secondhalf replacement.

Two teams looking to perform significantly better this season had an important match in Agen with the home side running out impressive winners as they defeated Stade Français 37-13 in what can be described as nothing less than a highly impressive result. The home side features three Argentine players with Pumas World Cup prop, Martín Scelzo making his debut for Agen after joining from Clermont. He was a secondhalf replacement as was winger Belisario Agulla. Former Pumas centre, Miguel Avramovic started at outside centre for Agen and played the full 80 minutes. The Parisians had Argentine captain, Felipe Contepomi making his debut from the club after joining from Toulon. He started at inside centre while Pumas World Cup fullback, Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga came on as a replacement in the 63rd minute. Argentine born Italian international backrower and captain, Sergio Parisse played 8 for Stade Français. USA international secondrower, Scott LaValla started in the secondrow for the Parisians.



Two teams who may well be in for a fight to aviod relegation as the season unfolds are Brive and Bayonne. Both are traditional Top 14 sides but are from small towns and lack the same quality rosters that the other more traditional teams have. Brive has been enjoying the games during the World Cup as it has been able to compete much better due to teams missing a large number of players. The sides great start to the season continued as Brive defeated Bayonne 30-10 to complete a bonus point victory. The side had one of its three Argentine players present with former Pumas tighthead prop Pablo Cardinali starting in the front row. Both Pablo Henn and Agustín Creevy missed out due to injury.

The final match of the round saw Toulon defeat Racing Metro 16-9 in Paris to sit comfortably in the play-off´s zone after eight matches. Pumas backrower, Juan Martín Fernaández Lobbe did not play and it is still unclear as to when he will return following the knee injury he sustained playing against Scotland in the World Cup. Despite the loss Racing Metro can breath easily as Argentine international flyhalf, Juan Martín Hernández played his second consecutive match for the club and played the full eighty minutes. He missed Rugby World Cup 2011 after injurying his knee in a Top 14 clash seven months ago vs Bourgoin. Hernández played at fullback for the Parisians. Another player to miss the World Cup was Pumas backrower, Alvaro Galindo who was tipped to start in the backrow for Argentina after an impressive 2010-2011 season with Racing Metro. Argentine born Italian international secondrower, Santiago Dellapé started for Racing Metro.


Top 14 Standings

1 Clermont 30
2 Castres 30
3 Toulouse 28
4 Toulon 24
5 Agen 20
6 Brive 18
7 Perpignan 17
8 Racing Metro 17
9 Stade Francais 15
10 Bordeaux 13
11 Montpellier 13
12 Lyon 12
13 Bayonne 11
14 Biarritz 10

Pan American Games Rugby Sevens - Preview Guyana

Guyana earned its spot in the Pan American Games by being crowned Rugby Sevens Champions of the Caribbean. Despite being located in South America and bordering such countries as Brazil and Venezuela, Guyana is very much a part of the Caribbean for the simple reason of its British colonizers. In the British sport of cricket, for instance, Guyana forms a part of the international side known as the West Indies who are mutlipe time former world champions. Guyana´s place as a former British Colony also explains its participation in the Commonwealth Games. The extent of the country´s unity with its English speaking neighbours in the Caribbean means Guyana is not a part of CONSUR but rather NACRA. CONSUR is the governing body of rugby in South America while NACRA is the governing body of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Guyana is a part of NACRA but its neighbour, Venezuela is a member of CONSUR due to its ties to the premoninantly Spanish speaking countries that make up CONSUR.
In rugby terms Guyana is considered as being a developing country. The national team has demonstrated on-field progress. Such an example occured in the Semi Finals of the 2010 NACRA Rugby Sevens when Guyana defeated Mexico 19-7 to qualify for the Las Vegas Sevens event. Guyana has competed at the event for the past two years and has certainly had success. Despite not being winless, Guyana geld France to a 12-12 draw in 2010 which is considered as being the crowning point in the history of Guyanan rugby.

Guyana Squad

Ryan Gonsalves (captain)
Walter George
Breon Walks
Vallon Adams
Dominique Lespierre
Dwayne Schroeder
Richard Staglon
Rupert Giles
Kevin McKenzie
Claudius Butts
Leon Greaves
Ryan Mayers



Las Vegas Sevens 2010 - France vs Guyana


Las Vegas Sevens 2010 - USA vs Guyana

Brazil to bid for Rugby World Cup 2023

The President of the Confederation of Brazilian Rugby (CBRu), Sami Arap told Brazilian rugby website, blogdorugby, that Brazil intends on being a candidade to host Rugby World Cup 2023. Arap participated in last weeks IRB General Assembly in Auckland, New Zealand and engaged in a series of discussions with fellow IRB union members in relation to the central theme of the event - the Growth Rugby in the World. Arap told blogdorugby that the Presidents were separated according to language and were allocated tables for discussion. Thus, rather than having a conversation with the familiar CONSUR members, Arap was allocated to a European-African table alongside the Presidents of Ireland, South Africa, the British Virgin Islands, Holland, Zambia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The discussion involved a variety of themes relating to the growth and security of rugby as well as the impact that Rugby Sevens could have on Rugby Union itself. The differences in the level of rugby played amongst different countries according to the First, second and third tier system recieved plenty of attention with the members underlining the significant improvements at New Zealand 2011 with the majority of matches being closer than at previous World Cup´s.

The IRB showed a keen interest in investing in the future of countries with a tradition in rugby such as Brazil and China. Of the four presentations that took place at the General Assembly one of them was given by Brazil. According to Arap, the model put forward by the CBRu recieved praise from the assembly due to the results that Brazil has achieved in recent years and the plan set forward covering the period of 2010-2030 for Brazilian rugby. Arap also took the opportunity to request more international matches for Brazil and announced the countries bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023. It would be the first Rugby World Cup in the Americas and would be comparable to Qatar hosting the Soccer World Cup as the country is yet to play in a Rugby World Cup. Brazil was to bid to host the 2013 Rugby Sevens World Cup but withdrew its application before Russia was awarded the event. The announcement comes weeks after former Argentina captain, Agustín Pichot confirmed the intention of the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) to host Rugby World Cup 2023. Pichot revealed his intentions to colaborate with Brazil, Chile and Uruguay as two options would be considered - either Argentina acting as a solo host or allocating some matches to some or all of Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.

Two other unions have also announced their intentions of bidding to host Rugby World Cup 2023. South Africa, who hosted Rugby World Cup 1995, intend on bidding after they failed to win hosting rights to Rugby World Cup´s 2011, 2015 and 2019. Russia has also confirmed its interest on the unions´ official website. Yet to be confirmed, Italy may also bid for Rugby World Cup 2023 after the European country failed to secure hosting rights to Rugby World Cup 2015 and 2019 but put forward a strong bid. It is likely to be considered the best European option, ahead of Russia. Of all the possibilities, Argentina remains the strongest candidate due to the quality of the countries national team, the history of host nations and the countries clear ability to meet all the conditions of being a host nation. Brazil, as an option, appears largely to be a big gamble given the country´s lack of Rugby World Cup experience and third tier status.

With Thanks: www.blogdorugby.com.br

Canada to play four tests in June 2012

The 2010 June internationals were historical as it marked the final chapter of Churchill Cup rugby. The intercontinental tournament was made defunct as it was deemed not suitable to the interests of the North American countries and to costly to some visitors. In its place, Canada and the United States of America are to benefit greatly from an increased number of international matches who are to be genuine test matches with IRB World Rankings on the line. It is to offer far more to the international players and enable the coaches far better preperation ahead of the next World Cup which will be hosted by England in 2015. One of the positives to come out of the warm-up fixtures for both Canada and its southern neightbour was the two match home and away series in which Canada hosted the USA in Toronto and the USA Eagles hosted Canada in Denver. Both matches were strongly attended with Canada achieving its largest ever crowd for a matchv s the USA and the Eagles selling out their home match. It was a sign that such matches needed to happen more regularly with a possible comparison being the Bledisloe Cup between Australia and New Zealand.

Fans from both countries will be delighted to learn that Canada and the USA will play each other home and away in June 2012 with both sides also recieving incoming tours from Europe. The visiting sides in 2012 are to be Italy and Georgia with Canada already having confirmed the dates. Both Canada and the USA will play further tests in November as they go on tour to play up to four international matches. Consequently, both teams are to play over 100% more international matches than previously and are to play more tests against tier two opposition which is to be highly beneficial for everybody. At the present point in time Canada are ranked 13th in the world with Italy 12th and Georgia 14th. The USA are ranked 17th behind Japan and Fiji. The venues for the matches are yet to be determined but the dates have been confirmed.

Canada International Schedule

June 9 Canada vs USA
June 16 Canada vs Italy
June 23 Canada vs Georgia
June 30 USA vs Canada

Pan American Games Rugby Sevens - Preview Mexico

The host nation of the 2011 Pan American Games, Mexico, are in a tough position of competiting against far more traditional rugby nations at home in Guadalajara. Known as Las Serpientes, the Mexican team are likely to be in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon with the countries best chance of a victory being its pool match against Caribbean country, Guyana. Mexico is in Pool A of the two pool tournament and, in addition to Guyana, will face both Uruguay and tournament favorites Argentina in pool matches. Should Las Serpientes succeed in defeating Guyana the hosts would then have a Quarter Final match with Canada, assuming that the United States of America win Pool B. But, regardless of whether Mexico are able to win a match or not need not actually matter at all as the big picture of the exposure rugby will recieve in Mexico is unprecedented. It is to easily bwe the biggest rugby event ever to take place in the country and offers a unique chance for the sport´s profile to develop.

Despite being the weakest side in the pool, and indeed in the tournament, Las Serpientes are not new comers at all to Rugby Sevens tournaments at the international or global level. Mexico has previously played in Hong Kong and the USA at IRB Rugby Sevens World Circuit events. The most recent occassion was in Hong Kong earlier this year in which Mexico had matches agaisnt Samoa, Scotland, Tonga and Spain but was winless. Mexico is a team developing and, despite being affiliated to the IRB, is yet to be placed in the IRB World Rankings.

Las Serpientes Squad
Juan Pablo Andrade (Jaguares)
Jorge Bermúdez captain (Wallabies)
Miguel Carner (Tazmania)
Christian Henning (Black Thunder)
Luis Fernando Herreja (Black Thunder)
Carlos Jiménez (Tazmania)
Santiago Leboreiro (Lobos Universidad Iberoamericana)
Rodrigo Ramos (Black Thunder)
Mauricio Ríos (Wallabies)

Hong Kong Sevens 2011 - Mexico vs Spain


Hong Kong Sevens 2011 - Scotland vs Mexico

Alfredo Lalanne signs for London Scottish

Los Pumas 28 year old reserve scrumhalf, Alfredo Lalanne, has signed for English National Division 1 side, London Scottish. His arrival means he will continue his professional career in London after having previously played for London Irish from 2008-2011 in the Aviva Premiership. His move to London Scottish means he is to play in England´s Second Division which may harm his chances of future international duties due to Argentina´s two French based scrumhalves - Nicolás Vergallo and Agustín Figuerola both playing in the Top 14. Lalanne played three matches at Rugby World Cup 2011, always as a second half replacement for Vergallo. In total Lalanne received thirty-two minutes game time in his Pool matches vs Romania and Georgia and his Quarter Final appearance vs New Zealand. He is the second World Cup Puma to have signed for London Scottish, joining winger Agustín Gosio.

Lalanne is from Buenos Aires and played his rugby for the San Isidro Club (SIC) before joining London Irish in 2008. He is a former Argentina Sevens player, having been in the 2007 IRB World Sevens Circuit team and subsequently played in the 2007 IRB Nations Cup in Romania in June of that year. Twelve months latter, Lalanne was a Puma. Since debuting, Lalanne has played ten test matches and had his best performance in the home win vs England in June 2009. He was to be the teams first choice scrumhalf in 2010 before getting injured vs Scotland and subsequently overtaken by Vergallo who impressed in Argentina´s win vs France in Buenos Aires.

Pan American Games 2011 - USA Preview

The USA Eagles Rugby Sevens team is into is final stages of preperation before the Pan American Games and the international Sevens season in general. A squad of eigthteen players are seven days into an eleven day training camp at the Olympic Training Centre in Chula Vista, California with the squad to be cut on Monday. The high performance training facilities combined with the USA´s permanent place in the IRB Rugby Sevens World Circuit puts the USA in a strong position and, indeed, in with a strong chance of winning Gold. The task is simple - win the pool and a medal is guaranteed as the world finish would then be the Silver Medal. But it is not going to be an easy task as the USA is to face Brazil, Chile and Canada in pool matches. The winner of the pool will have an easier path to the final, while the runner-up is likely to face favorites, Argentina, in the Semi Finals.

The squad includes the stand out back for the USA at Rugby World Cup 2011, Paul Emerick and three others from the Eagles´successful campaign which featured a win vs Russia and strong performances vs both Ireland and Italy. Emerick, who is under an injury cloud, is expected to be the role model for the remainder of the squad but will have plenty of assistance from Colin Hawley, Blaine Scully and Roland Suniula who also all got plenty of game time in New Zealand. The other squad players of note are the speedster, Zack Test and Miles Craigwell. The pair offer plenty of flair in attack and will be important if the USA is to realize the dream of winning Gold. One month after the Guadalajara tournament, the USA are to play in expanded IRB Sevens Series which starts with the Gold Coast Sevens in Australia and has a short turn-around with the Dubai and South African legs taking place shortly thereafter.

Pre-Pan American Games Training Squad

Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians)
Justin Boyd (Belmont Shore)
Miles Craigwell (Old Puget Sound Beach)
Andrew Durutalo (Old Puget Sound Beach)
Paul Emerick (Life University)
Colin Hawley (Olympic Club)
Duncan Kelm (Belmont Shore)
Rocco Mauer (Chicago Lions)
Folau Niua (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Don Pati (University of Utah)
Nu'u Punimata (Old Puget Sound Beach)
Milemoti Pulu (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Blaine Scully (Unattached)
Roland Suniula (Boston)
Shalom Suniula (Belmont Shore)
Zack Test (Unattached)
Peter Tiberio (University of Arizona)
Maka Unufe (Utah Warriors)

USA vs China, 2011 Hong Kong Sevens


USA vs Japan, 2011 Hong Kong Sevens

Pan American Games Rugby Sevens - Preview Argentina

With the groundbreaking participation of rugby in the Pan American Games less than ten days away it is appopriate that Argentina 2023 take a look at the teams competiting. Thus, today marks the first look of the eight teams who will pfight it out for the Gold Medal in Guadalajara, Mexico on October 29 and 30 at the purpose built Estadio Tlaquepaque. The eight competing teams are split into two Pools of four with both having teams from the CONSUR (South America) and NACRA (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) governing bodies. Pool A is led by the Argentina who should have few problems in coming out on top against Guyana, Mexico and Uruguay. Pool B is led by favorites, Argentina who will face Brazil, Canada and Chile in pool play.

To begin the previews of the teams playing at the the Pan American Games it is only appopriate to take a look at the heavyweights, Argentina. The South American country is a powerhouse at Rugby Sevens having finished second in the 2009 World Cup in Dubai, being a two time winner of the USA leg of the IRB international Rugby Sevens circuit and winning Bronze at the 2005 World Games in Duisburg. Many of the players from the 2009 Sevens World Cup have gone on to national honors at the highest level with the likes of Lucas González Amorosino, Gonzalo Camacho, Martín Rodríguez Gurruchaga, all playing for Los Pumas at Rugby World Cup 2011. Rugby Sevens is a factory for international stardom and, for this reason, the lack of players who played for Los Pumas in New Zealand 2011 is not of grave concern as a number of the players selected for the Pan American Games are likely to go on to higher honors themselves. Curiously the USA are undefeated vs Argentina over the past two years and Argentina were defeated by Brazil earlier in 2011 in Bento Gonçalves, Brazil. The shock loss to Brazil mattered not, however, as Argentina recovered to win the South American Sevens championship.

The key players for Argentina are likely to be centre Gabriel Ascárate and scrumhalf Nicolás Bruzzone. Both players were key to Los Pampas XV in the teams championship winning season in South Africa´s Vodacom Cup earlier in 2011. Ascárate is highly regarded in Argentina, almost making the final squad for Rugby World Cup 2011. Bruzzone has played for Los Pumas previously and is considered as the fifth choice scrumhalf at the present point in time.

Argentina Squad

Lucas Alcacer Mackinlay
Gabriel Ascárate
Santiago Bottini
Nicolás Bruzzone
Francisco Cuneo
Ezequiel Farale
Gonzalo Gutiérrez Taboada
Joaquin Luchetti
José Francisco Merello
Hernán Olivari
Javier Ortega Desio
Diego Palma
Gastón Revol

2009 USA Sevens Final


2009 World Cup Final

Adam Kleeberger loses the beard

Canadian international forward, Adam Kleeberger, was one of the hottest talking points during the pool phase of Rugby World Cup 2011 due to his facial hair. The backrower lost the beard on Monday afternoon as a crowd of five hundred people gathered at the University of Victoria Student Union Building. Canadian comedian, Rick Mercer, of the CBC network did the honors as he clipped and shaved Kleeberger clean after nine months of non-stop growth. Kleeberger didn´t just have his beard removed for the sake it or. Rather, he did so in the name of charity and so far he has been able to raise over $5000.

It is still possible to donate and Kleeberger has two campaigns he is supporting. The first is for Rugby World Cup 2011 hosts, New Zealand, with money going to help rebuild the earth quake devastated Christchurch. www.donate.rugbycanada.ca/e/Shear_the_Beard While the second is Movember in which Kleeberger will participate. It is a month-long campaign where men start clean-shaven and grow a moustache to raise awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer. To support Adam's Movember campaign - go to http://mobro.co/SheartheBeard.

Kleeberger is a part of the Canadian Rugby Sevens team which will play in the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in ten days time.

LV=Cup - Round One

This past weekend saw the first round of the 2011-2012 Anglo-Welsh Cup, now known as the LV= Cup due to commercial reasons. The competition is made up of English and Welsh teams split into four pools or four teams. All twelve Aviva Premiership clubs and four Welsh regions are the competitors. It is a secondary competition in that England has its own domestic competition, the Aviva Premiership and Wales participates in the Pro 12. Due to Rugby World Cup 2011 the teams played round one without their full rosters avaliable as England had played France in a Quarter Final the previous weekend and Wales were facing France during round one of the LV= Cup. The competition involves players from the Americas with Argentina, Canada and the United States of America all having international players who are to play in this seasons event. It is a further indication of the contribution of the region to the global game and underlines the strength of having Argentina host Rugby World Cup 2023. In the history of the Rugby World Cup no other country has made the semi finals and not hosted, or sub-hosted a World Cup.

Two teams who were both significantly depleted due to the unavaliability of players were Welsh side, Scarlets and English team the Leicester Tigers.  Their clash in the western Welsh city of Llanelli featured two sides of players who recieve little game time during the regular season. The home side was, nonetheless, far better and demolished the Tigers 31-3 Scarlets 31. Leicester are unlikely to be defeated by such a scoreline again this season and are expected to have back Argentine international loosehead prop, Marcos Ayerza and Argentine international winger Horacio Agulla for next weeks action.



Fellow Welsh region and Scarlets´ neighbours, the Ospreys did not do as well in their round one mactn vs English side the Exeter Chiefs in Exeter on Saturday. Neither side was at full strength but the English team had a great day and the Welsh are forgettable one as Exeter won the match 35-9. Argentine international winger, Gonzalo Camacho did not play for the Chiefs due to his involvement in Rugby World Cup 2011 but he is expected to debut for the club shortly. The teams in-form Argentine flyhalf, Ignacio Mieres did not play in the match. The Ospreys´ new recruit, Canadian international backrower, Chauncey O´Toole is also expected to debut soon following the a short break after the conclusion of Canada´s Rugby World Cup campaign.



Last season Northern English club, the Newcastle Falcons fought until the death to avoid relegation to Englands second division. The club is the former home of both English World Cup flyhalves, Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood, but no players in England´s World Cup squad play for Newcastle nowadays. Of all twenty teams at New Zealand 2011 only two had players from the club with Samoa´s Taiasina Tuifu´a and Scotland´s Euan Murray. The clubs first round opposition in the LV= Cup was the Cardiff Blues, a side missing six players to World Cup duty for Wales, one to Scotland and one to Tonga. The scoreline was a reflection of the loss felt by the unavaliability of players with Newcastle winning 33-3.

Neither Gloucester nor the Sale Sharks could complain to loudly of missing players and their match at Gloucester was easily the highest points scoring match of the round. Gloucester were very impressive in winning the match 58-27. Interestingly, the match was 20-17 at the interval. Former Argentine international hooker, Matías Cortese was in the starting lineup for Gloucester but uncapped Argentine fullback, Joaquín Tuculet, did not feature for the Sale Sharks as he missed the match through injury.



The closest match of the round took place in western England with the nwely-promotted Worcester Warriors playing host to last seasons surprize strugglers, the London Wasps. The home side gave its fans plenty to cheer about as it pulled off a 20-19 victory. The London based side featured new recruit, Guillermo Roan who has arrived in England from Argentina with the chance of improving as a player and breaking into the Pumas squad. He was on the bench for the London Wasps.


The battle of London took place at the Twickenham Stoop with the home side, the Harlequins notching up a 26-19 victory over the London Irish Exiles. The match was a nail-biter, with the teams tied at 19-19 before the Quins were able to get the lead and win the match. The one time capped Argentine international flyhalf, Benjamin Urdapilleta played the full eighty minutes for the Harlequins and had a highly memorable match in scoring a try. He did well, despite playing out of position at centre. The change of position seems to have worked for him and it might well be where his future lies as the club is home to former All Blacks flyhalf, Nick Evans and Rory Clegg who scored 16 points in the Quins victory.



Beaten 2011 Heineken Cup finalists, the Northampton Saints were highly impressive in their home fixture vs 2011 Aviva Premiership Champions, Saracens. The Saints left a clear message for rival teams that they really mean business as they smashed the English champions, 36-6. The star for the winners was the teams new signing over the summer, Russian international winger, Vasily Artemyev who amazingly scored a hat-tirck on debut. His debut was as good as it gets as he went over with his first touch of the ball ever in a club match for Northampton. USA international secondrower, Hayden Smith was on the bench for Saracens but his international teammate, Chris Wyles did not feature. The Saints own USA secondrower, Samu Manoa, also missed the match.



The traditional strugglers from Wales, the Newport Gwent Dragons have prodeuced a number of impressive players in recent seasons with Wales´ impressive backrower,. Toby Faletau being one such example. He missed the match vs Bath in Newport on the weekend due to his invovlementnin the heart-breaking 9-8 loss to France in Auckland. It didn´t get any better for Newport Gwent Dragons fans as the home side were outclassed 46-16 by their English rivals. Former Argentine international secondrower, Ignacio Fernández Lobbe, did not play for Bath.

French Top 14 - Round 7

The first six rounds of the 2011-2012 French Top 14 took place without players all players involved in Rugby World Cup 2011. The lack of star players have made the Top 14 more unpredictable than ever with big name teams unable to play up to their usual standards. Two teams who were in the relegation zone for large periods of the previous season, Agen and Brive, have been able to defeat teams who would, at full strength, be far too good for them. Teams with lower numbers of players at New Zealand 2011 have been greatly advantaged and this is evident in the standings of the Top 14 after the first seven rounds with Castres out on top while Biarritz and Montpellier struggle. Incredibly, Biarritz are bottom of the table and will likely struggle again in round eight due to the absence of French World Cup players.

Round seven featured five Friday matches with Castres confirming themselves at the top of the table after defeating the 2011 champions, Toulouse 24-3 in a tryless match. Toulouse were missing eight players who were on duty for France in the semi final win over Wales whilst Castres were only missing one. Castres welcomed back its international players from other countries participating in Rugby World Cup 2011 with the likes of Joe Tekori, Seremaia Bai and Max Evans playing. Evans formed what looks like being a formidable left-right wing combination with former French international, Marc Andreu. Argentine international secondrower, Patricio Albacete did not play as Pumas players were given the weekend off due to their participation in the World Cup Quarter Finals five days previously. Toulouse did, however, feature two Argentine players with Eusebio Guiñazú playing the first sixty minutes of the match at hooker before being replaced by Alberto Vernet Basualdo. Both players are former international players for Argentina. Castres had a South American international player of their own with Uruguayan forward, Rodrigo Capó Ortega starting in the secondrow.

A match of better quality took place in Brive as the home side scored four tries to one to defeated Biarritz 32-7 and force the 2010 Heineken Cup finalists to bottom place of the Top 14 Orange table. Biarritz welcomed back USA international winger, Taku Ngwenya from Rugby World Cup duty but had to field another highly depleted lineup which lacked the Pumas duo of Marcelo Bosch and Manuel Carizza as well as the French internationals who will not return until at least round nine. Ngwenya must be looking for a good season after he, surprizingly, failed to score a try at all in New Zealand. Brive had a South American on the field with former Argentine international prop, Pablo Cardinali playing the first 62 minutes of the match.
The class of Clermont has been highly evident as despite having five players missing to international duty with France and others playing for other clubs, the central French side has been performing very well. After the clubs 29-13 round seven win over Agen, Clermont lie in second place behind Castres. Clermont´s win featured two tries and the debut of former Stade Français and Toulouse flyhalf, David Skrela who kicked fourteen points before being replaced by Australia´s Brock James. Former Argentine international centre, Miguel Avramovic started for Agen while the young Belisario Agulla came on as a second half replacement on the wing. Former Clermont prop, Martín Scelzo is exspected to make his debut for Agen in round eight after returning to France following his involvement with Los Pumas at Rugby World Cup 2011.


USAP vs Agen : Le résumé du match por USAP_Communication

One of the hardest-hit teams has been last seasons finalists, Montpellier who have been missing two French
internationals as well as five Pumas and players to Fiji and Georgia. The return of Georgia´s best player, Mamuka Gorgodze conincided with the teams important 26-17 away victory vs Bayonne.  Unwanted Argentine winger, Martín Bustos Moyano played fullback for the winners and had a good game in kicking thirteen points. The club can now look to return to its form from last season as flyhalf Santiago Fernández and prop Juan Figallo return from Rugby World Cup duty and the club welcomes three new recruits in Argentine fullback Lucas González Amorosino, hooker Agustín Creevy and prop Maximilano Bustos.

After seven months on the sidelines, Juan Martín Hernández returned to the playing field for the first time since injuring his knee in a top 14 clash vs Bourgoin earlier in 2011. He was selected at fullback for Racing Metro in the teams match at Bordeaux vs Top 14 Orange newcomers, Bordeaux-Begles. El Mago played the first half before requesting to be replaced at halftime after he was short of match fitness and complained of a lack of oxygen to the Racing Metro coaching staff. Hernández made some good tackles and was sound on defence at fullback. The home side showed that they are able to compete at the Top 14 level as the kept Racing Metro tryless and won the match 22-18. Former Argentine international winger, Rafael Carballo featured for Bordeaux-Begles as a second half replacement while World Cup Pumas member, Nicolás Sánchez may be in line for his debut next weekend. Juan Orlandi did not play for Racing Metro and neither did Alvaro Galindo who missed out due to injury. Pablo Henn and Agustín Figuerola missed out on playing for Brive.


J7 - UBB v RM92 - Le résumé en vidéo por racingmetro92

Two teams who did well in last seasons Heineken Cup but underperformed badly in the Top 14 Orange went head-to-head in Toulon on Saturday. The home side has not been as badly influenced by Rugby World Cup 2011 as the visitors and so it showed on the scoreboard as Toulon demolished Perpignan 38-0. Jonny Wilkinson played his first game for the club since the World Cup while Argenitne backrower, Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe is out of action and not likely to return for several months. Retired Pumas secondrower, Rimas Alvarez was in the starting lineup for Perpignan. Alvarez is officially in his last season of rugby and will retire aged 37 years old after playing for more than a decade for Perpignan and being a French Champion in 2009.



The final match of the round featured, for the first time ever, the two biggest French cities going head-to-head in the Top 14. Lyon OU were promotted to the Top 14 after winning the Pro d2 last season and the club has no intention of returning to the French second division. The club hosted Stade Français of Paris and kept them tryless in completing an 18-6 victory. Despite winning, Lyon remain in the relegation zone as they sit in 13th position. Stade Français had Argentine born Italian international backrower and captain, Sergio Parisse in the starting lineup and is expecting the return of Pumas players for round eight. Lyon OU´s star recruit, Pumas backrower, Juan Manuel Leguizamón should also make his debut for the club this coming weekend.


LOU BIARRITZ por LOURugby1896

Top 14 Table

1 Castres 26
2 Clermont 25
3 Toulouse 23
4 Toulon 20
5 Perpignan 17
6 Racing Metro 16
7 Stade Français 15
8 Agen 15 
9 Brive 13
10 Bordeaux-Begles 13
11 Montpellier 12
12 Bayonne 11
13 Lyon 10
14 Biarritz 8