Argentina XV secured the Americas Rugby Championship 2019 title with a round to play after beating Canada on a night when the home side made things very difficult for the would-be champions, while Uruguay move into second place after an historic away win against the USA.
By reclaiming the title they last won in its inaugural year in 2016, Argentina XV ended the USA’s two-year tenure as champions of a tournament that continues to grow each year.
Argentina XV ran out 39-23 winners over Canada on a cold Friday evening in Langford, the bonus point win ensuring that even were USA to finish their campaign with two similar wins the best they could do is match the current 20-point haul of Argentina XV and, in the event the South Americans lose their final match to Chile, their 45-14 loss in round two would be their undoing on the head-to-head rule.
Meanwhile, Uruguay leapfrogged the US Eagles into second after winning in the States for the first time. Los Teros triumphed 32-25 in Seattle, while an improving Brazil edged Chile 15-10 in the other game for their second win of the competition which moved them up to a record equalling 25th position in the World Rugby rankings.
The final round of the Americas Rugby Championship 2019 takes place this weekend with Rugby World Cup qualified nations USA and Canada finishing their campaigns in Seattle on Friday night before Chile host Argentina XV and Uruguay entertain Brazil on Saturday.