A thrown together USA Select XV will take on an impressive Argentina Jaguars selection to kick off the 2014 Americas Rugby Championship. The southerners have never been beaten in this competition so it will be a tall order for their northern opponents, even more so given that five of the Argentine forwards were part of the senior squad that just finished an impressive Rugby Championship campaign against the strongest teams in the world. A brief run out against the Seattle Saracens earlier in the week is the only warmup the United States was afforded, and there’s a sneaking suspicion that it won’t nearly be enough.
Louis Stanfill leads the side with nearly a decade of service to the national program, and will be ably supported by Saracens triallist Phil Thiel. The two head up a relatively experienced pack at this level, with Matt Trouville the only newcomer, but there are real concerns about the scrum and their cohesiveness will be tested early. Olive Kilifi has been tasked with holding down the tighthead side and though he will significantly outweigh his opposite, his technique will most certainly be under scrutiny.
The strength of this American side is undoubtedly in the midfield, where Andrew Suniula and Chad London offer hard running options for Adam Siddall. Lemoto Filikitonga is the only debutant among the backs, but is another physically imposing attacker. With so much size there’s little question to what the game plan will be. Whether they can stay with the rapid fire phase play of the Argentineans is a different matter.
Aside from battle hardened hooker Matías Cortese it’s a young Jaguars pack and not overloaded with muscle, but they will be fast, strong in contact, and accurate at the set piece. Second row Matías Alemanno has genuine international size and ability, and the back row led by captain Rodrigo Báez are all highly rated within Argentine circles. Both flankers featured heavily in the Pumas victory over the Wallabies in Mendoza.
A clear advantage for Argentina should be at the halfbacks, where Felipe Ezcurra and Patricio Fernández have future stars written all over them. They have come up together through the junior system and move the ball quickly. Brian Ormson is the polar opposite of Suniula in the midfield, a 2nd 5/8 style capable of kicking and passing effectively, and allowing Fernández the option of taking on the line himself, which he is very adept at doing.
The weather reports are calling for a mild afternoon in Langford, which should provide ideal conditions for running rugby. That most certainly favours the Jaguars, who will move the ball wide and attack systematically. The Americans will have to grind away and take their points on offer, but it won’t be enough against their classy opposites. Expect Argentina to put them under pressure early and often, and slide away to a 20-odd point victory come the final whistle.
USA SELECT XV vs ARGENTINA JAGUARS
Saturday, October 11, 14:30 PST, Langford
ENGLISH STREAM: http://www.sportscanada.tv/rugbycanada/index.php/watch-live/english
SPANISH STREAM: http://www.sportscanada.tv/rugbycanada/index.php/watch-live/espanol
