Round Twelve of the Super Rugby Americas season began with a thumping 54-0 victory for Pampas against Selknam that all-but confirms the Argentine side will finish the regular season in first place.
The hosts breached the Selknam defence within the first minute and continued to apply pressure throughout the first twenty minutes, despite being repeatedly repelled. The Chilean side couldn't hold out forever though and Pampas took control as the half progressed, securing the bonus point before the break through Santiago Pernas' well-timed intercept.
The second half continued in the same vein as Pampas brutally capitalized on their dominance. Centre Bruno Heit scored the pick of the tries after a brilliant cross-field kick was tapped back into play by his teammate Jeronimo Ulloa. Pampas head coach Juan Manuel Leguizamón will be especially pleased to have kept Selknam scoreless as his team looks to carry their relentless form into the playoffs. Conversely, Selknam's defeat severely dents their chances of reaching the semifinals with two games still to play.
São Paulo played host to the weekend's best match despite Cobras and American Raptors being out of contention for the playoffs. The visitors started the game at a frenetic pace as second-row Michael Grandy found himself in acres of space and cantered over from 30 metres out. The hosts hit back within minutes through André Arruda as it became clear that the game would be a high-scoring affair. The Colorado-based franchise looked imperious at times and as fluent in attack as they have all season, unlocking the Cobras defence at will. Fullback Rufus McLean scored a sensational try from inside his own half to help his side to a 37-14 lead at halftime.
Cobras came out in the second half determined to give their home supporters something to cheer about for the final time this season. André Arruda's second score of the game and a brilliant counterattack finished by Ariel Rodrigues had alarms bell ringing in the Raptors' ranks. An excellent Thomas Morani try extended the visitor's lead and may have calmed some of their nerves but it was clear that a Cobras onslaught was coming. Two late tries raised hopes of a famous comeback but American Raptors managed to hold on and clinch a thrilling 45-40 victory that condemned their opponents to the bottom of the table come the end of the season.
Both Yacare and Peñarol were looking to capitalise on Selknam's defeat in the race for the semifinals in the final game of Round Twelve. Uruguayan No.8 Carlos Manuel Deus got the visitors off to the perfect start with a great individual try as he swatted away would-be tacklers to power over for the game's first try. The hosts simply couldn't get going in the first half, allowing teenage scrum half Pedro Hoblog to virtually dance his way to the tryline. A well-worked try from a lineout ensured the visitors took a commanding 25-3 lead into the break.
The second half was a far more closely contested affair but Yacare were ultimately unable to overcome the deficit. A penalty try and a deserved try for industrious winger Juan Daniel González made the scoreboard a little more respectable but the result never looked in doubt as Peñarol secured a 31-17 victory. The Uruguayan side will be delighted to have achieved back-to-back wins against their rivals for the semifinals but will rue their inability to secure the bonus point in the second half.
Round Thirteen sees Peñarol host Pampas on Friday night as they look to continue their good run of form against the league leaders. Selknam welcome Dogos to Santiago on Saturday knowing they cannot afford to lose any more ground in their pursuit of a semifinal. The weekend closes out in Asunción with Yacare knowing they need a win against American Raptors to be confident of reaching the knockout stage of the competition.
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