Americas Rugby Championship

        I am happy with the way the tournament is progressing and so are the promoters. The USA has the biggest market and the most potential of any team in the tournament. I believe the promoters wanted the tournament to still be " alive"  until the last week. So what do you do, well schedule the 2 best teams (USA v Argentina) to play last and hope they have tied records.  Bravo---mission accomplished.

    We all knew Argentina would be there but the USA was in question. So lets take a look at tournament so far. Week 1 the USA played Uruguay at home. The Eagles beat the determined Uruguay by only 5 points. Uruguay beat the USA in last year tournament. Week 2 USA got rolling and pounded a weak Brazil team 51-3. Brazil know knows how I feel when the Samba Kings dominate my yanks on the soccer field. Week 3 was a showdown against USA Eagles arch rival Canada.

USA v Canada
 Canada owns a 38-17-1 all-time record against the USA.  Canada rugby has been as dominant as CAnada hockey against USA hockey. But times have changes. It is safe to say the USA has now over taken Canada in Rugby. The USA has won the last 6 test games in a row. The last time Canada beat the USA was in 2013. 
   The USA pounded their arch rivals in the Am Rugby Championship 51-34 and the game was on Canada soil. 
    This rivalry is not over. To his summer these 2 team square off for the most important game every 4 years. These two games will determine who will represent American North in the next Rugby World Cup. 

 USA vs Chile:
Chile sits at the bottom however they have played 2 away games and their home game was against the all powerful Argentina. The Eagles could get tripped up in Chile if they get caught looking ahead to Argentina.

Here is hoping the Eagles dominate Chile this weekend...

Go Eagles
     

Americans Rugby Championship

Week 2: Well it looks like Argentina has beaten two of the top teams in the tournament. Their only other challenger will be the USA. They will be playing the Eagles in Argentina. Argentina's B team soundly beat Uruguay 57-12 in Argentina. Uruguay is about USA's equal almost beating the Eagles last week (23-29).

Argentina has won every tournament since 2009. So that is 6 in a row and unless there is a big upset, they already have one hand on the trophy.

The USA EAgles had 7 changes to their line up after the Uruguay game. They pounded poor Brazil 51-3. The Eagles are a cut above Brazil and the talent showed in the second half. USA coach Mitchell is trying to develope more players and he is doing a great job so far, getting results and playing many different players.
     

Canada also had a great game in week 2, taking their frustration out on Chile winning 35-15.


Argentina is the top team here. Then we have Canada, Uruguay and the USA all competing for 2nd place. The USA did get 2nd last year but just bearly.

Canada v USA ( location Canada): Canada use to be beat the USA all the time in Rugby. Then Rugby got a little popular and the Eagles ahve the upper hand now. These 2 nations are arch rivals since they are the 2 teams to play for the all important Rugby World Cup spot.
    Last year the Eagles beat Canada in (USA), this year the game will be held in Canada's British Colombia. Canada will be looking for payback. The USA is coming off dominating Brazil (who they lost to last year) and will be very difficult to beat.

  The USA at 2-0              

Americans Rugby Championship

  Week one is in the books. There were 3 competitive games. We can call this week, payback week. You see last year the USA lost to Uruguay in a tightly contested game 25-29. This year the Eagles pay back URuguay and won the game 29-23 in the states. These 2 nations seem very equal in their talent and record.

Brazil also had a pay back game against Chile. That s right Brazil lost to Chile last year in Chile, 25-22. This year the game was played in Brazil where every team have a bit of an advantage playing at home.

The last game Argentina XV beat Canada in Canada 20-6. Last year Canada lost badly 54-21 in Argentina. This is a good sign that Canada had a closer game.


So my take is -- I wish the USA had a more convincing win. I am glad the Eagles won, against a good team. However I am hoping the USA will win this tournament. With only 2 games at home, this idea seems like a long shot unless someone can beat Argentina XV. I am hoping any all all teams can beat this Argentina B team just to show the sport is growing in popularity but also in talent.

anyway....see you next week. Go Eagles