Argentina 111-0 Brazil

Brasil reflects on loss (portalderugby)

Eighteen years after the previous clash between Argentina and Brazil Los Pumas completed a massive win over their soccer rivals. The result was never in doubt as it was a clash between two contrasting rugby experiences. In Argentina the players start at a young age and there is an excellent infrastructure for the development of players. The result is clear as Argentina are a Tier One side and others need to replicate Argentina if they are to ever challenge Los Pumas. Argentina has players who started at a young age while in Brazil many only start playing after highschool. The CBRu appreciate this and are actively trying to change this by making it compluslosry for clubs in some regions to have junior teams or not be allowed to play in senior level competitions. 

In defeating Brazil, Argentina scored 17 tries and landing 13 conversions. Of the try scorers two players are strong contenders to play for Los Pumas this year in the June internationals vs Italy and / or France. Los Pampas XV winger, Manuel Montero scored a hatrick while scrumhalf  Tomás Cubelli scored a double. 

Argentina will face hosts, Chile on Saturday while Brazil will face Uruguay. Brazil now need to defeat Uruguay to avoid finishing bottom of the table while Argentina face Chile also on Saturday. The complaints made by teams at Rugby World Cup 2011 over the short turn-arounds were big news with Samoa, in particular, voicinig opposition to the four day gap between facing Namibia and Wales. Perhaps the players should spare a thought for the players in the South American Championship with Brazil facing two superior teams in the form of Chile and Argentina just three days apart.