'South American teams are good for Rugby World Cup': Rugby's growth from the Americas

The growth of Chilean rugby seems unstoppable and securing another Rugby World Cup ticket beating Samoa 31-12 in a full, loud Sausalito Stadium clad in red, is part of the plan.

The buildup to the second of two South America/Pacific qualifying games had its fair share of drama. Chile is currently hosting the U20 FIFA World Cup, the government had decided to cut in half the tickets to be sold. The rugby community erupted in anger, politicians got involved and with a big investment in private security, Chile Rugby was given the green light to open the full stadium. This meant their first ever sell-out stadium with a bit over 20,000 spectators, their second biggest ever crowd at home. And this not even in Santiago, the country’s rugby hotbed.

“We were full of energy,” said tireless hooker Diego Escobar, who hours after the biggest Chilean win at home was en-route back to Paris to join Racing and a long Top 14 season ahead, his second with the French team.

Contepomi urges Los Pumas to fight harder

Contepomi urges Los Pumas to fight harder

“The year started with injuries, problems and even last week we lost Nico Garafulic (to a torn Achilles). Playing for our teammates that were unfit filled us with energy but walking into the stadium and with the support we had, it pushed us even more.”

Nestled in the last range of the Andes, a stone-throw away from the Pacific Ocean, and a straight line, albeit some 11,500 kilometres east of Sydney, the stadium only kept quiet respecting kickers from both sides.

Gone were the struggling days of Chilean rugby when they could not fill their own expectations.

Pablo Lemoine, the former Uruguayan captain who twice shone in consecutive Rugby World Cups in 1999 and 2003 and then coached Los Teros to England 2015, joined Chile Rugby at the end of 2018. One of Chile’s fiercest enemies turned into their saviour.

His first game in charge, against a Sudamérica XV almost seven years ago, was attended by a crowd that could be counted only by closing one eye and using the index finger.

Escobar’s older brother Alfonso played that day; together with ace goal kicker Santiago Videla the only survivors from that game in the 23 Chileans for the game against Samoa.

“Today was the result and reward of a very long process. It was the goal we had in mind; we wanted it earlier, but today we achieved it in a stadium full of people, with the support of all of Chile. Rugby is growing both on and off the field, and that’s what we’re looking for.”

In the reserves that day was injured skipper Martín Sigren, one of two notable players injured with ACL earlier in the year – the other, scrumhalf Marcelo Torrealba was also a reserve in 2018.

Admitting being on the sideline “is an emotional roller coaster,” added Sigren. “What we’re experiencing today is impressive: qualifying to another Rugby World Cup, the crowds in the stadium, what went on during the week. It’s a very important step we took.”

“Qualifying for the World Cup paves the way for the future and solidifies the road that we’ve taken.”

Chile Rugby Federation Chairman Christian Rudloff was overjoyed when speaking with RugbyPass.

“It’s been years of hard work, of effort, of willingness to work against all the obstacles that sometimes get in the way. But we showed that we’re destined for great things because we never gave up.”

The Chilean Rugby, with the support of Sudamérica Rugby, has shown enormous growth both on and off the field.

“This started long before, with the Superliga Americana de Rugby (renamed Super Rugby Americas in 2024), and the leadership of Agustín Pichot at the time to make this a reality… this is the result.”

All but two of the 23 players that took the field against Samoa first cut their HP teeth at the regional competition.

Pablo Lemoine is clear about the reasons for what is happening in Chile. “It is work; it is about making the High Performance structures grow being the motor of growth for the game. The key is not to become detached from the clubs, the local tournament, the rugby community. It is about being close and build together; people follow rugby because it is a tool, it is something good the chose to come to the game.”

A week earlier, a 19-points difference was lost in the last quarter of the game when Samoa snatched a draw. The experience Lemoine, who will be in his third RWC as a coach and fifth overall, thinks it played well for Los Cóndores.

“It was probably better this way because mentally you only prepare for a win. Even if we made a couple of mistakes, we had control of the game. Knockout matches are about winning your possession and having a solid defence.”

His caretaking captain doesn’t agree. “Obviously, the best thing would have been to come to this game with the 19-point lead, but the fact that we tied made us very focused this week,” explains captain Clemente Saavedra, sporting a blackening eye. “We talked about focusing on ourselves. In Salt Lake City it cost us dearly when we stopped playing our game; we never ceased to play our game in Sausalito.”

The Samoans continuously ran straight into constant double tackles. “We knew we had to cover from one 15-metre line to the other 15-metre line with players always on their feet; we did that very well, with our defence moving forward very well. Today’s defence took us to Australia.”

“We got goodwill messages from every nation in the region and as South Americans we will all be behind whomever goes to Dubai next November, Chile or Paraguay.”

The joy of Saavedra was double as he shared it with his twin brother Clemente. Injured in 2022 when USA was beaten to qualify to France, he recovered in time from another long-term injury to start his first test of the season in Sausalito, finally be involved in a qualifying game.

“It was a big surprise when I was named,” said centre Domingo. “I never thought of a return like this. I worked my butt off to be ready for this game, and to play it in such an atmosphere, in front of family and friends, with the fans giving everything was unbelievable. I believe things happen for a reason, and being here today is a dream come true.”

“Clemente is a part of me, and vice versa. For games I wasn’t there, I was calm because Clemente was there. He’s a tough guy, and I knew he was going to give his all. I take my hat off to the way he led. He inspires me a lot and helped me a lot to return, so I’m happy, very happy.”

Samoa will now have to face the win or you are out Final Qualifying Tournament in Dubai; thus, their November window has fallen. Chile needs competition and there is work already done behind the scenes to get them a fixture.

“It is about growth,” adds Lemoine. “I’m glad I have two years to prepare the team and build a number of areas we’re lacking, but we need competition.”

“By qualifying we took a place that should have been ours. The game has to understand that the colour of the fans and the passion players have is here…that South American teams are good for Rugby World Cup.”