As expected, Argentina were the pace-setters after round one with a strong victory over the Americans. Canada, on the other hand, looked well off it after scraping by against Uruguay.

UNITED STATES 9 vs 27 ARGENTINA
Friday, October 11, 18:00 PST, Langford

It was an ominous start for the Americans as the Jaguars were rampant for the first quarter of the match, but the Selects regrouped and managed to win the second twenty through a penalty goal for Adam Siddall. Criminally they leaked a try to Javier Rojas immediately after the start of the second half which effectively cost them the match. Siddall kicked two more penalties before a late individual effort from Facundo Barrea rounded off the match.

Though the Americans had a couple decent spells in possession, Argentina were comfortably the better side in nearly all facets of play. Their halfbacks controlled the game nicely and the pace of their attack was too much for the Selects. The Jaguars now play Uruguay on Wednesday evening while the Americans reprise their North American rivalry with hosts Canada.

SCORING
07 mins – S. Poet pen 0-3
10 mins – M. Chiappesoni try 0-8
18 mins – M. Orlando try 0-13
37 mins – A. Siddall pen 3-13
41 mins – J. Rojas try 3-18
42 mins – S. Poet con 3-20
47 mins – A. Siddall pen 6-20
54 mins – A. Siddall pen 9-20
73 mins – F. Barrea try 9-25
74 mins – P. Fernandez con 9-27

CARDS
68 mins – M. Diaz yellow (repeat team infringements)

UNITED STATES
A. Siddall; M. Roberts (T. Maupin 47), C. Chapman, M. Pulu (P. Moala 76), E. Mills; T. L’Estrange, S. Davies (C. Saint 79); T. Lamositele (N. Wallace 75), P. Thiel, S. Pittman (C. Sullivan 76); G. Harriman, W. Haydock (T. Tuisamoa 48); D. Barrett, L. Murphy (D. Asbun 14), C. Dolan (capt.).

ARGENTINA
J. Tuculet (capt.); F. Barrea (D. Isaack 75), J.I. Brex, J. Rojas, M. Orlando; S. Poet (P. Fernandez 61), P. Imhoff (G. Bertranou 75); B. Postiglioni (R. Tejerizo 47), M. Garcia Veiga (J. Montoya 66), M. Diaz (E. Viale 78); M. Alemanno (J.M. Guerineau 55), G. Petti; J. Camacho (F. Lamy 61), M. Chiappesoni, F. Panessi (E. Viale 70-78).

CANADA 17 vs 10 URUGUAY
Friday, October 11, 20:00 PST, Langford

The host team looked well off the pace as they stuttered to victory against a defiant Uruguayan side. On numerous occasions the defense was caught out of position, with tight forwards lining up against backs in the wide open spaces. The much smaller Uruguayan pack caused all kinds of problems with their scrum and rolling maul. Poor tactical kicking led to the Pablo Bueno try and numerous passing and handling errors riddled a disappointing performance.

Neither Jack Fitzpatrick nor Adam McQueen looked comfortable playing out of position, and one wonders what the selectors were thinking when they sent six possible outside halves to the Gold Coast leaving none for the ARC. Were it not for a late try by Mike Scholz it could have been a very dark beginning for the Canadians, who must now regroup before they face the USA Selects on Wednesday. Uruguay will take heart from their victory, but will have to weather the Argentine storm headed their way in a few short days.

SCORING
16 mins – A. McQueen pen 3-0
26 mins – J. Fitzpatrick try 8-0
27 mins – A. McQueen con 10-0
29 mins – J. Prada pen 10-3
47 mins – P. Bueno try 10-8
48 mins – J. Prada con 10-10
75 mins – M. Scholz try 15-10
76 mins – A. McQueen con 17-10

CANADA
A. McQueen; D. Maguire, C. Trainor (J. Wilson-Ross 67), M. Scholz, J. Dolesau; J. Fitzpatrick, J. Mackenzie; A. Tiedemann (capt.) (D. Wooldridge 36), M. Govorchin (R. Barkwill 60), J. Ilnicki; H. McQueen (K. Gilmour 58-67) (A. Clark 71), A. Flagg; C. Morrison, A. Kleeberger, Z. Coughlan (K. Gilmour 67).

URUGUAY
G. Mieres; S. Martinez, J. Prada, A. Vilaseca (S. Core 71), P. Bueno; R. Silva (J.A. Pena 79), A. Duran; R. De Mula (J. Etcheverria 66), A. Avalo (capt.) (J. Astigarraga 66), F. Jimenez (J. Rombys 49); A. Nieto (M. Beer 78), S. Vilaseca (F. Bascou 60), J. de Freitas, F. Lammana, D. Magno.