The French rugby team faces Uruguay for the first time in its history, Thursday in Lille, for its second match in this World Cup.
In an elitist sport that continues to cultivate its roots, curiosity is obvious. For the first time in its history, this year’s Rugby World Cup has three South American representatives. We obviously knew Argentina, a local juggernaut that has systematically qualified since 1987 with its best performances in two semi-finals (2007 and 2015). Much less Uruguay, France’s opponent, Thursday September 14 in Lille (9 p.m.), for its fourth participation. And in fact, almost nothing from Chile, a newcomer in this edition.
More than a happy alignment of the planets, these joint successes are the effects of a new structure. “In 2018, Sudamérica Rugby [instance en charge du rugby local] incorporated high-level rugby, whereas before we were talking mainly about development”, engages Daniel Hourcade. The former coach of the Pumas – from 2013 to 2018 – took a step back and became one of the instigators of Super Rugby Americas, an ambitious project for a continental professional championship between franchises, modeled on the Oceanian model, which brings together neo teams -Zealand, Australian, South African and until recently Argentinian.
“We determined that six countries could reach the level: Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil and Colombia in addition to Argentina”, remembers Hourcade, who gives very specific objectives to each of them. The idea of this league initially raised eyebrows – “They thought I was crazy!”, notes the instigator – in a continent with significant disparities, and in amateur championships. With “120,000 players in Argentina compared to 1,900 in Paraguay”the challenge is risky but inaugurated in March 2020. “And after three matches, we had to stop everything because of the pandemic”regrets Daniel Hourcade.
Argentina as a driving nation
Three and a half years later, the relevance of Super Rugby Americas is no longer a subject. The championship has been marginally adjusted – the Colombian franchise has disappeared and a US team was invited last year – but is a success. Covid-19 has even, paradoxically, served its development. As a direct consequence of the closing of the borders, the Jaguares franchise in Super Rugby, standard bearer of Argentinian success until the final of this elite competition in 2019, has disappeared. Deprived of its best players, exiled in Europe for lack of high level in their country, and in decline at world level (its 10-27 defeat against England on Saturday demonstrates this), Argentina has retreated towards its continent.
“South Africa helped us [en intégrant l’Argentine au Rugby Championship puis au Super Rugby]. Now it’s up to us to help Chile and Uruguay.” summarizes Jorge Ciccodicola, specialist journalist for the Argentinian media Rugby Champagne. “It’s a bit like the third or fourth team from Argentina, especially young ones, which is playing in Super Rugby Americas, because all the other players have left,” he continues. The leak is continuous (“81 players left in two years”, regrets Hourcade), but this situation allows us to at least balance the level. And the influence of the Pumas does not stop there.
“The majority of coaches or trainers in other countries are from here”, explains Ignacio Saint-Bonnet, former Pumas physical trainer. This expertise makes it possible to structure Paraguayan or Brazilian franchises, countries where the practice remains embryonic. Many Argentine players also bring their knowledge of the game to the locals and, in the process, glean an impossible nest egg in their entirely amateur championship. “The franchises of Chile and Uruguay are rather reluctant and are fielding local players”shade Jorge Ciccodicola.
Impressive Chilean growth
The Chilean Selknam team thus provides 90% of the players in the selection. These automatisms acquired throughout the year “necessarily give an advantage” to Condores, admits Inaki Ayarza. This versatile three-quarter from the Condores is however one of the rare expatriates in Soyaux-Angoulême (Pro D2).
“The overall level has increased, and with professionalism, everyone is now 100% focused on rugby”
Inaki Ayarza, Chilean international three-quarterat franceinfo: sport
Since 2019, the selection has climbed seven places in the World Rugby rankings and is currently 22nd. “It’s no surprise to see Chile at the World Cupcontinues the journalist. But it is a real achievement to eliminate Canada and the United States. It’s a real leap for rugby in the region.” Far from being ridiculous for its world baptism (12-42 defeat against Japan on Sunday), Chile will face Samoa, England and Argentina, in an unprecedented South American duel at this level. “Their growth has been very rapidpraises Daniel Hourcade. We were rather expecting qualification for 2027.”
In the same way, the Uruguayan Teros rely on a solid backbone formed by the Penarol franchise, double champion of Super Rugby Americas. “Uruguay is doing very important work, we saw it during the last World Cup”, continues journalist Jorge Ciccodicola. In Japan in 2019, they had indeed accomplished a resounding feat by beating Fiji (30-27). For their third participation in a row in a World Cup, Castres Santiago Arata and his friends will go up against the Blues and the All Blacks. And hope that the experience acquired trickles down to their neighbors, in a cycle of permanent mutual aid.
And now, progress by facing the best
Despite everything, this confrontation with the best remains exceptional. The eternal problem of conservative rugby always pitting the same nations against each other, the other selections quickly plateau. The observation, also applicable to Georgia or the Pacific teams, is frustrating. Snubbed by the all-powerful, the nations of this “third way” of international rugby pull each other up.
“The Georgian Black Lions played five matches with us and lost three timesexplains Daniel Hourcade. They had a few internationals, it’s very educational to confront another rugby.” This is about “the only reference” against a team that the latter judges, in full, “at Pro D2 level”. With this external help, the South American nations are continuing their progress and dreaming, in the medium term, of placing other representatives in the World Cup. With unparalleled demographic potential in the region, Brazil could be next.