Argentina Pumas 29, USA Classic Eagles 14
On Thursday evening, The Classic Eagles kicked off, with the wind behind them at the start of the second Plate semi final. The early exchanges were fairly even, with perhaps the USA gaining some advantage over the Argentinians and placing them under pressure. Multiple phases had them camped in the Argentina 22, a lineout led to a scrum in front of the post and suddenly an interception and Argentina scored a breathtaking breakaway try against the run of play, Martin Murgier the scorer.
The Eagles played with great athleticism and consistently placed the Pumas on the defensive and equalised , Ryan Rebell scoring. The try was converted giving The Eagles a fair 7-5 lead. This seemed to give the Eagles confidence, they ran from deep in their own half and moved the ball around. However, it was Argentina who went into the lead with Crisitan Mendy scoring under the posts, the try was converted but the U.S. came right back with a converted try of their own to hold on to a narrow 14-12 lead at half time. The second half started with great passion, both teams playing with 14 men after each had players sin binned. Argentina regained the lead with another try from Martin Murgier and then a simply brilliant try in the corner after a kick over the Eagles line and a chase by Sebastian Crispo. These two quick tries knocked the stuffing out of The Eagles who by now were limiting the loss. A final converted try from Argentina booked their place in The Plate Final against France with a final score of Argentina 29, Classic Eagles 14.
The Classic Pumas (Argentina)
Name Position Number Honours Club
Mariano Bosch Hooker 2 4 caps Olivos
Roberto Grau Prop 1 48 caps Liceo Rugby Club
Diego Cash Prop 3 42 caps SIC
Damian Rodriguez Prop 16 5 caps Hurling
Pedro Sporleder Lock 5 78 caps Curupayti
Jorge Lerga Lock 4 3 caps Pucara
Luis Coliqueo Lock 20 Lomas Athletic
German Llanes Lock 19 43 caps La Plata
Juan Pablo Angelillo Flanker 6 A Team SIC
Julio Brolese Flanker 7 2 caps La Plata
Frederico Bock Flanker 18 A team CASI
Cristian Enrique Viel No.8 8 26 caps Newman
Alejandro Galli No.8 17 Belgrano Athletic
Leandro Lobrauco Scrumhalf 9 5 caps Rosario Athletic
Fernando Alonso Scrumhalf 21 A Team Rosario Athletico
Lisandro Arbizu Outhalf 10 86 caps Belgrano Athletic
Matias Zuchcheri Outhalf 22 A Team La Plata
Cristian Mendy Centre 23 17 caps La Plata
Gonzalo Camardon Centre 12 41 caps Alumni
Eduardo Laborde Centre 13 3 caps Pucara
Facundo Soler Centre 24 26 caps Tala Rugby Club
Frederico Schacht Wing 14 6 caps Alumni
Martin Murgier Wing 11 CASI
Diego Cuesta Silva Full Back 15 65 caps SIC
Sebastian Crispo Full Back 25 San Luis
Mario Botta Coach Alumni
Matias Corral Coach 17 caps SIC
Rodolfo Ventura Manager 13 caps Newman
Guillermo Ugartemendia Official 16 caps Los Matreros
Sebastian Salvat Official 27 caps Alumni
Martin Yanguela Official 1 cap Pueyrredon
Matias Allen Official 5 caps Casi
Diego Sola Doctor
The Classic Eagles (U.S.A.)
Name Position Number Honours Club
Spencer Maggard Prop 16 US Trials (2) Atlanta Renegades
Tony Nash Prop 1 US Trials (4) NYAC
Mike French Prop 3 8 caps OMBAC
Mike Nelson Hooker 17 US Trials 3 Denver Barbarians
Mark Griffin Hooker 2 9 caps Old Blue
Corne Cronje Lock 18 A Caps (2) Dallas Harlequins
Jason Rogers Lock 5 A Caps (3) Dallas Harlequins
Hal Struckman Lock 4 US Trials (2) Shreveport RFC
David Care Flanker 7 4 caps Dallas Harlequins
Scott Yungling Flanker 6 3 caps OMBAC
Ryan ReBell No 8 19 A Caps (3) OMBAC
Henry Bloomfield No 8 8 18 caps Belmont Shore
John McGeachy Scrumhalf 21 USA 7’s (12) NYAC
Jack Wilfley No 8 20 US Trials (2) Aspen
Isaac Mbereko Scrumhalf 9 A Caps (6) Aspen
Eric Masterson Outhalf 10 A Caps (4) Kansas City Blues
Link Wilfley Outhalf 22 22 caps Denver Barbarians
Karl Thomson Centre 12 2 caps SF Golden Gate
Juan Grobler Centre 13 34 caps Aspen
Brendon Brown Centre 23 USA 7’s (18) Chicago Griffins
David Fee Wing 11 11 caps South Side Irish
Mike Farris Wing 24 A Caps (3) Back Bay RFC
Lance Vesley Wing 25 US Trials (4) Scioto Valley RFC
Louis Tulio Fullback 15 13 caps Aston Bulls
Doug Brown Fullback 14 USA 7’s (25) Denver Barbarians
Tim Kluempers Manager 5 caps Kansas City Blues
Tony Flay Coach 8 caps Jersey Shore
Dr. Atlee Wampler Chiropractor US Trials (2) Life University
Dr. Jack McCloskey Team Doctor 2 caps Jersey Shore
Dr. Stephen Zabinski Team Doctor Jersey Shore
