Uruguay 27-15 Brazil

Juan Ormaechea

Los Teros of Uruguay complered a hard fought victory over os Tupis of Brazil earlier this afternoon in Santiago del Chile. It was the third and final match of both countries in the 2012 South American Championship. Brazil went into the match as major underdogs following the teams 11-0 hammering at the hands of Argentina on Wednesday. Uruguay had lost by half as many points against the same team on Sunday and had clawed its way to a 27-26 victory over Chile on Wednesday. Uruguay´s win continues the pecking order of CONSUR rugby with Los Teros number two to Argentina ahead of Chile in third and Brazil in fourth. For Brazil the loss against Argentina will be what the country´s media take in but the real story is the teams competitiveness against both Chile and Uruguay. Three years ago both sides were defeating Brazil by over 60 points.  But today´s match was a sign that the extent of Brazil´s loss vs Argentina has more to do with the schedule, of playing three tests in six days, than the teams actual ability. 

Uruguay scored first with a try and looked like it would be the first of many, however it was not to be as Brazil played the best rugby of the first half and went into the interval leading the match 12-8. Uruguay came back in the second half but were made to battle it out hard by the Tupis and it took a penalty try to give Uruguay the lead. As the second half progressed Uruguay´s superior fitness was evident and it worked out to the advantage of the favorites as they closed out the game to win by 12 points.

Los Teros scored four tries to two with fullback Jerónimo Etcheverry scoring the first of the match. Backrower Juan Ormaechea scored Los Teros´ second try while the penalty try was followed by a try to Diego Magno. Etcheverry converted two of Uruguay´s tries and also kicked a penalty. Brazil´s two tries went to Daniel Danielewicz and Daniel Gregg. The French bound Moisés Duque kicked a conversion and Gregg scored a second half penalty. Gregg´s try was the highlight of the match with the Niteroi flyhalf underlining why he has been moved from wing to flyhalf for the national side.