Brazil and Paraguay set for showdown
By Frankie Deges
From Asuncion, Paraguay
By Frankie Deges, in Asuncion, Paraguay
The stage is set for what promises to be a pulsating final of the Confederación Sudamericana de Rugby (CONSUR) B section championship.
When Paraguay hosts Brazil on Sunday not only will the five-nation tournament be at stake, but also progression in qualifying for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
In order to finish the qualifying process at least a year before kick-off in New Zealand the road to the next World Cup started in the Cayman Islands last May, where Trinidad & Tobago took the NAWIRA Championship. They are expectant as they will then play against the winner of this CONSUR B final.
Held in Asunción, Paraguay, with each nation playing four games over the 10 days, it has not been an easy ride for the five participating teams. This CONSUR B Championship, which doubles as RWC qualifying, has seen the Colombian Tucanes, Venezuela, the Peruvian Tumis, Brazil and the Paraguayan Yacarés competing to decide who is the best of the rest in the American subcontinent.
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As expected, Paraguay and the up-and-coming Brazilians have shone, with a huge gap between them and the rest. After the fourth round was completed late on Thursday, both teams were still unbeaten and had seldom been challenged in their three matches.
Brazil expects
Two-time CONSUR B winners Brazil, under the coaching reigns of Pierre Paparemborde and with the assistance of former captain Mario Domingues, have made their intentions clear. Players were put through a long preparation process that included trials and friendly matches against Argentine opposition. French-born Paparemborde, son of the great Pierre and married to a Brazilian, has been with the team since 2006.
They opened with a 34-6 win against Colombia followed by a 56-8 drubbing of Venezuela. Forty-eight hours later they beat Perú 59-0 and now await, anxious and confident ahead of their Sunday match-up against Paraguay.
The Yacarés, coached by Raúl “Piraña” González, had not played international rugby for a tad over three years before opening this tournament. Reasons that are too many to mention contrived to remove them from both the B and A sections in South America. Beating Brazil would mean they have not lost their control of the B section.
Paraguay make international comeback
They dominated the Venezuelans (44-7), Peruvians (71-0) and Colombians (60-7) and their home advantage could prove vital. Fitness is also crucial – three matches in such a short period of time is a huge ask for amateur teams. All the matches have been played at the Rakiura Resort in the outskirts of Asunción and the big crowds have surprised many.
Peru will play Venezuela in the curtain-raiser on the final day. If the Peruvians win they could force a three-way tie for third place. If Venezuela wins, third place will be theirs whilst the Colombians take fourth place and the Peruvians the wooden spoon.
When it comes to matches between Paraguay and Brazil, the former has the upper hand; the last time they met it was a clear 45-8 win. The visitors have a number of players that were well beaten that day 37 months ago. Having worked so hard over the last couple of years and more so in the last few months, the Brazilians believe the wind is on their back. Paraguay will try to ensure it doesn’t happen.
19 June 2008
Brazil 34 - Colombia 6
Paraguay 44 - Venezuela 7
Bye: Peru
21 June 2008
Venezuela 32 - Colombia 15
Paraguay 71 - Peru 0
Bye: Brazil
23 June 2008
Colombia 25 – Peru 20
Brazil 56 – Venezuela 8
Bye: Paraguay
26 June 2008
Brazil 59 – Peru 0
Paraguay 60 – Colombia 7
Bye: Venezuela
29 June 2008
Venezuela v Peru
Paraguay v Brazil
Bye: Colombia