Earlier today, the selection team for the USA Rugby Men’s team found out that there is still a large gulf separating team USA from the more powerful forces in the Rugby Universe, as the USA Select XV (a team not quite made up of the best U.S. players, but the best players available who still reside in the U.S.) fell to the eighth-ranked Jaguars of Argentina 45-10 in the second round of matches in the Americas Rugby Championship in Cordoba, Argentina.

The Select XVs, riding high after beating the Tonga “A” squad (again, made up of up-and-coming players) 20-15, were on the ropes through much of the first half, as the home squad racked up 30 points by halftime.

The second half saw a match that was more equal, as the Select XVs held Argentina to 15 points, while U.S. hooker Chris Biller and lock Samu Manoa, both heralding from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Rugby Club, each scored one try for the U.S., and reserve player Nese Malifa made it onto the field, replacing starting fly-half Volney Rouse, and converted Manoa’s try in the final play of the match

The Select XVs will spend the rest of the week in Argentina resting up, studying and preparing for their final match of the Americas Rugby Championship, against our neighbor to the north, Canada, on Friday.