Eagles Defeat Uruguay in Americas Rugby Championship Opener

Bryce Campbell, a newly capped Eagle in June, will be the outside center, with captain Blaine Scully and Zack Test at the wings and Mikey Te’o at fullback.

All-Americans Will Magie, Alex Maughan and Matt Jensen may also debut should they enter the match.

Uruguay Head Coach Esteban Meneses squad for the match against the USA Men’s Eagles has Alejandro Nieto captaining the side at 8 man. He played for the Teros at the Rugby World Cup, however missed recent 2016 tests due to injury. Other forwards into
experienced props, Mateo Sanguinetti and Juan Echeverría with Facundo Gattas at hooker. The locks will be Diego Ayala and Ignacio Dotti with Franco Lamanna and Rodolfo Garese at flanker, with the later making his first test.

Germán Albanell, who played scrumhalf last year, will beat flyhalf, with Santiago Arata at scrumhalf. The centers will be Juan de Freitas and Juan Manuel Cat. The veteran Leandro Leivas will be at wing along with Andrés Rocco and Rodrigo Silva will be at fullback.

Other uncapped players on their squad as reserves are hooker Diego Pombo, props Matías Benítez and Felipe Inciarte and back Francisco Berchesi.

The introduction of a centralized program based at the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo and the addition of the Americas Rugby Championship has had the team develop players quicker.

USA v Uruguay Recap

A clearing kick from Ben Cima behind the USA 22 meters was brought back after the referee ruled that the team brought the ball back inside the 22 prior to the kick. This set up a lineout by Uruguay, which turned into a maul. A side entry by the USA had Uruguay electing to kick for points. German Albanell slotted the penalty kick and they took a 3-0 lead 4 minutes into the match.

The Eagles struck back after a dangerous tackle (high) on Peter Malcolm two minutes later as Ben Cima tied the match at 3 all after a long penalty kick.

Nate Brakeley gathered the restart and the Eagles attacked going through several phases. This threat ended with a penalty to the USA for a high tackle. Urugauy kicked into touch and then the lineout was won by the USA and swung wide. Cima cleared inside the Uruguay 22 meters and Todd Clever went flying in making a over the shoulder tackle. He was issued a yellow card for this infraction. (12′)

Uruguay advanced the ball inside the USA 40 meter line and Al McFarland was penalized for a side entry at the breakdown. Uruguay kicked for touch and had a 5 meter lineout. Alejandro Nieto popped the ball weak to the hooker, Facundo Gattas and went in for a try in the corner. Albanell slotted the conversion from touch and Uruguay reclaimed the lead 10-3. (15′)

The USA had another scoring opportunity four minutes later, as Ben Cima pushed a 40 meter penalty kick wide right. (19′) After a scrum infraction by Uruguay for boring in, Cima slotted a penalty and narrowed the lead to 10-6. (23′)

The USA also would go for points at the 30th minute after a Cima clearance kick and a Uruguay penalty at the breakdown. Cima slotted a third long kick and the lead by Uruguay was cut to 10-9.

After some back and forth attacks by both sides, the USA took advantage of a scrum infraction by Juan Echeverría. Cima kicked for touch and Nate Brakeley controlled the lineout. Nate Augspurger got quick ball to AJ MacGinty who offloaded to Bryce Campbell for a try. Cima converted and the USA had its first lead 16-10.

In the 39th minute there was a stoppage in play as Zack Test was removed from the pitch with an ankle injury and a concussion protocol. Thoughts are with him for a speedy recovery! JP Eloff came as a replacement going to fullback with Mike Te’o moving to wing.

In the waning seconds of the half, Uruguay won a scrum and went through at least 11 pick and goes. The referee played a penalty advantage on John Quill before awarding the penalty with no time on the clock. Albanell once again was perfect with the kick and at halftime the USA has a narrow 16-13 lead.

The first half saw the USA forwards holding their own against an experienced Uruguay pack. Both sides lost the ball forward too many times and the new law to reduce concussions was evident with many high tackles that resulted in penalties. The USA would need to spend more time attacking in Uruguay territory as well.

Uruguay reclaimed the lead at the 46th minute from a try by Alejandro Nieto from a lineout turned into a maul. Albanell converted for a 20-16 lead.

The Eagles then went on the attack through multiple phases and at a breakdown center Juan Manuel was sent to the bin for not retreating and impacting the Eagles attacking opportunities.

At the 51st minute, the USA began to go to their replacements as Will Magie came in a flyhalf for Ben Cima and James Hilterbrand for Peter Malcolm at hooker. Uruguay also began going to their reserves.

Men’s Eagles v. Uruguay