SALTA, Argentina – The USA Rugby Selects lost to the Argentina Jaguars 28-23 on Saturday in the final match of their South American Tour. Head Coach Mike Tolkin’s team showed major improvement on the pitch, after losing to the Jaguars earlier in the week by a score of 54-6.
Manuel Montero opened the scoring just as he did in Tuesday’s match, but the Selects responded midway through the first frame with a John Quill try. AJ MacGinty later gave Mike Tolkin’s developmental side their first lead against the Jaguars with a penalty goal near the end of the half.
Argentine Hooker Santiago Iglesias Valdez gave the hosts at Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena a 14-10 lead at the break, but MacGinty again restored the Selects’ advantage with two penalties within five minutes.
The Selects could not hold off the Jaguars, however, as Pablo Matera and Tomás Cubelli each scored tries in the second half, giving the Jaguars a 28-16 lead. MacGinty dotted down a try in the final 10 minutes and the Selects pushed to overtake their opponent, but Argentina controlled the pitch and kicked the ball into touch, drawing the referee’s whistle.
The Selects went 1-2 on their South American Tour, with the coaching staff using the assembly to evaluate the talent in the domestic player pool. Less than five months remain until the Men’s Eagles’ Rugby World Cup campaign begins against Samoa. The World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and additional fixtures on the U.S. schedule will give Tolkin even more time to nail down his travel roster.
Tickets are still available for both of the Eagles’ matches in San Jose and Sacramento, while tickets for the match against Harlequins Football Club at PPL Park in Philadelphia August 30 will be released to the general public at 10 a.m. ET Monday, May 4.
USA Rugby Selects | v. Argentina
1. Zach Fenoglio
3. Chris Baumann
4. Louis Stanfill
5. John Quill
8. Shalom Suniula
10. AJ MacGinty
11. Ronald McLean
13. Zach Pangelinan
15. Phil Thiel
17. Mike Shepherd
18. Nick Wallace
19. Ben Landry
20. Nicholas Barrett
21. Niku Kruger
22. Lemoto Filikitonga
23. Colton Cariaga
Argentina | v. USA Rugby Selects
1. Lucas Noguera Paz
2. Santiago Iglesias Valdez
3. Matías Díaz
4. Guido Petti Pagadizabal
5. Matías Alemanno
6. Tomás Lezana
7. Javier Ortega Desio
8. Lisandro Ahualli de Chazal
9. Martín Landajo (C)
10. Santiago Iglesias Valdez
11. Manuel Montero
12. Gabriel Ascárate
13. Matías Moroni
14. Matías Orlando
15. Ramiro Moyano
Argentina | Reserves
16. Matías Cortese
17. Bruno Postiglioni
18. Roberto Tejerizo
19. Facundo Isa
20. Pablo Matera
21. Tomás Cubelli
22. Bautista Ezcurra
23. Jerónimo De la Fuente
USA Rugby Selects | Coaching Staff
Mike Tolkin - Head Coach
Justin Fitzpatrick - Assistant Coach (Forwards)
Nate Osborne - Assistant Coach (Backs/Attack)
Phil Bailey - Assistant Coach (Defense)
David Williams - Strength and Conditioning Coach
Chris O'Brien - Assistant Coach (Video Analysis)
Richard Quincy - Physiotherapist
Zach Vyhnanek - Physiotherapist
Sarah Sall - Massage Therapist
Sam Akhavan - Doctor
Tristan Lewis - Team Manager
USA Rugby Selects | South American Tour
v Uruguay - W 13-3
v Argentina Jaguars - L 54-6
v Argentina Jaguars - L 28-23
