Published on : 17/07/2022 – 16:37
Chile qualified on Saturday for the first time in its history for the Rugby World Cup, which will be played in France in 2023, after a stunning away victory against the United States (31-29 ). The Condors, however poorly engaged in this meeting, were able to react and beat the American Eagles on the wire.
After Argentina and Uruguay, a new South American country will participate in the most prestigious rugby union competition, world Cupthe next edition of which will be organized in France in 2023. Chile obtained its ticket, Saturday July 16, after a breathless qualifying match in Glendale against the United States, however given the favourites, a single point separating the two teams after the two meetings.
During this return match played on July 16, a penalty from Santiago Videla in the 75th minute gave the Condors the advantage for the first time in the game (31-29). It thus sealed the qualification of the Chileans, after the small victory of the Americans (22-21) in Santiago, during the first leg.
“It’s so strong… the sacrifices this team made. There were times when it seemed impossible,” said Chile captain Martín Sigren.
Chile secures a place in Pool D of the French World Cup with England, Japan, Samoa and Argentina, a formidable South American rival that the Chileans will face on September 30, 2023 in Nantes.
Everything had started well for the Americans, however, who dominated on Saturday, 19-0 after 31 minutes of play, after two tries from Martin Iosefo, transformed by captain AJ MacGinty, who also scored a try.
But the Chileans took advantage of the temporary exclusion of Nick Civetta in the 32nd minute to score two tries (Marcelo Torrealba in the 35th and Matias Garafulic in the 39th), with conversions from Santiago Videla, to come back to 19-14 at the half time.
Another chance for the United States
Returning from the locker room, hooker Joe Taufete’e scored a try in the 48th, converted by MacGinty. The Condors responded in the wake of the 51st, with a try and a transformation from Videla, returning to 26-21.
MacGinty scored a penalty in the 58th minute, but Chile responded with a try from Matias Dittus in the 65th. Videla’s transformation saw the visitors close at 29-28. And Videla’s final penalty in the 75th minute then sent the Condors to France and the Eagles to the ground.
All is not lost for the “Eagles”, who can still travel to France in 2023 thanks to a final qualifying tournament to be played at the end of the year. Four teams (the United States, Portugal, Kenya and Hong Kong or Tonga) will compete for the last ticket to France. “We are down but not eliminated,” tweeted the United States Rugby Federation.
“It’s heartbreaking,” said USA captain AJ MacGinty. “We gave a lot (…), especially in the first half. (…) But the credit goes to Chile. We totally controlled them in the first half. I saw them under their posts, and their look was lost, but they fought and it’s to their credit.”
Qualification for the next Rugby World Cup is all the more important for the United States that they were recently entrusted with the 2031 edition of this competition. The United States see a strong development potential for this sport on their territory and they need the help of the Eagles and their presence among the 20 qualified teams in 2023.