By JOE SANTAMARIA
The new Super Rugby Americas season roared into life last weekend with three thrilling matches that featured some stunning scores and historic wins.
Last season’s runners-up, Dogos, announced their intention to go one step further in 2024 with a crushing victory over the Colorado-based American Raptors on the opening night.
The Argentinian side ran out resounding 56-8 winners with the opposition unable to cope with their relentless attack. Inside center, Leonardo Gea Salim scored the pick of the tries after twelve minutes but it was teenage No.8 Efrain Elias who stole the show with a dominant performance.
The American side will have to lick their wounds ahead of next week’s clash with Argentina’s second franchise, Pampas, knowing they can ill afford to defend so poorly again.
The weekend’s biggest shock was still to come as Brazilian side, Cobras, defeated two-time champions, Peñarol, for the first time in their history. Cobras hooker, Endy Pinhheiro, was his side’s hero, scoring both tries as the hosts edged out their Uruguayan visitors 15-13.
Peñarol will be frustrated at having to wait until Round Three before they can right the wrongs of this performance as they have a bye week in the next round. Meanwhile, Cobras, who have never previously finished higher than fifth, will be full of confidence that this is the year they can challenge higher up the table.
The opening round concluded with an eighty-point thriller in Paraguay as the hosts, Yacare, saw their valiant comeback fall short as they succumbed to a 48-32 defeat at the hands of Pampas. Both sides demonstrated attacking flair but will be concerned by their fragile set-piece, with Yacare’s scrum coming under pressure throughout.
Pampas will similarly look to sure up their defensive lineout before their next match after Yacare scored twice from driving mauls. Pampas winger, Santiago Pernas, stole the show with a try-assist in the first half and a brilliant score in the second to extinguish the prospect of a famous comeback win for Yacare.
The season continues this weekend as Chile’s franchise, Selknam, make their first appearance of the year against Yacare while Cobras host Dogos knowing the winner will top the table heading into March.
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