While the Africa Nations Cup will determine this weekend which nation will play in pool A (that of the Blues) at the next World Cup, the Americas zone has not yet given its verdict on the qualified. Uruguay has already secured its place last November at the expense of the Americans, qualifying for Pool A. The latter must therefore face in a round trip Chile, surprise winner of Canada in the play-off. The Canadians were surprisingly eliminated from qualifying, when they were expected at least to join the Repechage Tournament. the condors, nickname of the Chilean team, will be keen to create another surprise in the home and away match this Saturday at midnight in Santiago, and on July 16 in Glendale, Colorado (kick-off 10 p.m.).
But can they do it? Against Canada, the Chileans showed strategically that they were able to adapt to their opponent and thus evolve from one week to another. With a very defensive approach during the first leg in Toronto and a lot of physical commitment on the tackles, the men of Pablo Lemoine, coach of the country, opted for more play on the return. In the wake of their number 10 Rodrigo Fernandez, full of talent, with monstrous support, the South Americans showed all their offensive potential. In addition, they knew how to use the kicking game wonderfully through their hinge, constantly exploiting the opposing rearguard and putting it under pressure. With an average age of 24, this team has real arguments to make to beat the Americans.
The latter will undoubtedly have a physical superiority. But Chile prepared as it should for this double confrontation. Simon Bienvenu, globe-trotting player who played in the new South American Rugby Super Liga in the Cobras team in Brazil, knows Chilean rugby well and detailed their ambitions and how they wanted to qualify. for the World Cup.
The Selknam team (Santiago in the Super Liga), which is almost the national team, was very well developed this season, as they play to prepare for the play-off against the United States. The Chilean federation is doing everything to take advantage of this opportunity. We felt that the whole team, all the guys were motivated and trained for that.
For example, in terms of managing their workforce, they put the best team at the start of the championship, then rested their executives for two games, before putting them back in, etc. Their objective, beyond the championship, was to prepare for the jump-off.
Rugby in Chile is very elite. It’s not like football at all. All these guys are currently not paid, because the federation invested in the development of infrastructure and the promotion of rugby in the country. The players have the financial support of their parents and therefore bet everything on a potential qualification to be able to receive funds from World Rugby. The players gave their all behind the project with the aim of gaining visibility and exposing themselves to why not join the European championships. The World Cup is a great showcase for that.
A risky investment where players “sacrifice” themselves to be able to develop rugby in their country. The federation thus makes every effort to offer them the best conditions of preparation to the detriment of their payslip. But it could pay off if they win.
The winner of the play-off between Chile and the United States will join Pool D where there are England, Argentina, Japan and Samoa. Will a new surprise from South America be added to that of Uruguay previously?
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