This was a successful tournament. No one wanted to see the Argentina XV win for a 7th consecutive time. We also wanted to see the tournament grow and become more competitive. I do not about grow but it certainly got more competitive.
First there is a new champion in this tournament....the USA Eagles. They went undefeated and showed they are a force in the region for Rugby. After losing to both Brazil and Uruguay last year the Eagles did not overlook anyone.
Uruguay placed 3rd and gave the USA fits playing in the states. Uruguay did beat Canada. Uruguay has now taken over Canada in the standing for the first time ever. Uruguay now make 4 quality teams in the Americas.
Brazil also beat their Northern Rival-Canada in a squeaker. Canada was always been ranked above Brazil in Rugby. These victories has had an effect on the Americas Rugby Ranking.
Paraguay quality is lacking behind the top 6 and hopefully they can challenge next year and make promotion/regulation a reality.
The USA had their best result for for in the 2016-17 World rugby Seven Series. They placed 3rd after beating Argentine in the quarterfinals and nipping New Zealand 19-15 for 3rd place. This victory moves the USA up 8th place to 5th.
The USA was in a 3 way tie with Argentina and France with 35 points. This victory put a little distance between France who are now 10th and Argentina who have 52 points in 8th.
The USA leapfrogged Scotland who were in 5th, and Wales who were tied for 6th with Australia.
The European teams are expected to do well in the last two legs which are in Paris and London but we see how Scotland, Wales and France faltered here in North America.
The good news for the Eagles is the are playing with confidence and next weekend the games are in Vancouver. Their group is Australia, France and Japan. They are all beatable.
All the USA Eagles (15 per side) needed was a win (or a tie w/ bonus points) against the favorite Argentina XV in Argentina and that is just what they got. The USA tied Argentina 27-27 and got an extra bonus points to beat Argentina in the standing . The USA claimed the Championship because they scored 4 tries in the match. This Earned them extra point 22 to finally beat the dominant Rugby nation of the Americas.
This is the first time any nation besides Argentina has won the Americas Championship. This is the 7th competition of the top teams in the Americas.
This is the first time the USA has won a major Rugby Union tournament. This is great news not only for the USA but also the other countries in the Americas. Rugby seems to be getting better in the Americas. Last year Brazil and Uruguay beat the USA. This year Uruguay and Brazil both beat Canada.
USA v Argentina Priview preview
The Americas Rugby Championship will be determined in the Estadio Municipal de Comodoro Rivadavia. The stadium holds 10,000 which is perfect for Rugby attendance.
This link will do a much better job of the players that i ever could. IT sounds like the Argentina is still a much better team and they hardly lost at home. The Argentine coach is changing his players just because he can. The subs are as good as the starters. It seem like his is just getting them quality playing time and seeing who can make the jump to their top team.
This game is for the Championship so the stakes are high. The USA know that Argentina has won every Americas championship dating back to 2009, which is 6 in a row. This tournament would make 7.
The USA sure has gotten better over the years however every other country has also gotten better. Hopefully the top USA team (the Eagles) can beat the B team from Argentina. I think all American teams (Canada, Uruguay, Chili and Brazil) would want the USA to win. Who wants a B team slapping other countries best around.
Go Eagles
