Uruguay confirmed their position in the region by winning Sudaméricano 2025 after defeating Chile 46-37 on aggregate to secure their place at Men's Rugby World Cup 2027.
The 12-point lead from the first leg in Santiago a week ago was crucial in preparing for a match at the Estadio Charrúa, where the team qualified for the 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions of Rugby World Cups, with a different mentality.
Their maturity, experience, and a strong performance from their forwards, well-led by Santiago Arata, were enough to see Los Teros complete the job. In addition, fly-half Felipe Etcheverry contributed 13 points.
Chile will draw confidence from their victory in Montevideo as they bid to join Uruguay at Australia 2027, but they now have to wait a week to find out their next opponent in the South America/Pacific play-off.
They will face either Samoa, Canada or USA in that two-legged play-off, which takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 20 September and at home in Santiago on 27 September, with the winner qualifying for RWC 2027 and the loser entering the Final Qualification Tournament in November for one final chance to qualify.
The first half, slow and uneventful, ended with Uruguay extending their lead to seven points with a try scored and converted by fly-half Felipe Etcheverry who found a tiny opening in the 25th minute.
At the start of the match, Uruguay created the first opportunity when the backs broke and winger Ignacio Álvarez, with a clear path to the line, was well stopped by full-back Cristobal Game inside the in-goal. There wasn't much else to come in the first 40 minutes.
Chile came close to the try-line a couple of times, but the experience and patience of Los Teros, with the composure of defending a result, allowed them to go into half-time with a 19-point lead on aggregate.
Seeking to impose themselves with their forwards, a series of attacks close to Uruguay's line ended with prop Matías Dittus, who had just come on, pinned between the posts. Santiago Videla's conversion brought Los Cóndores closer, with the added bonus of playing the next 10 minutes with an extra player due to a yellow card for substitute Juan Manuel Alonso with 32 minutes remaining.
An unprecedented situation came later. While Uruguay besieged the Chile try-line and were stopped inches short, a second ball entered the in-goal area and scrum-half Santiago Arata dove on it, celebrating the try.
However, after review, French referee Jeremy Rozier did not award the try, instead setting a scrum, which Chile then controlled. Etcheverry's boot soon put his team back in front on the day with two penalties in the 54th and 59th minutes, stretching the aggregate lead.
But Chile refused to give up and pressured the Uruguayans. Replacement Augusto Bohme created a turnover, and with the forwards attacking, Dittus again imposed his weight to score underneath several opposing defenders. Chile thus took the lead for the first time, moving within 12 points of a second consecutive Rugby World Cup appearance.
Their hopes were short-lived, however, as from a goal-line drop out, Uruguay launched a deep attack, and a precise pass from captain Manuel Leindaker created space for replacement prop Francisco Suárez Soto to run nearly 25 metres to put Los Teros in a clear try position. Etcheverry's two-step pass created space for Manuel Diana, who scored by dropping over the line.
The final 10 minutes were filled with nerves, with Chile looking to score a try and Uruguay defending with passion and disarray. First, Arata received a yellow card and then the efficient Manual Ardao with six minutes remaining.
The numerical advantage allowed Dittus to complete his hat-trick after the TMO was involved. The 21-18 scoreline left Chile needing nine points to tie the series and go to sudden death, or 10 to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2027.
A turnover by centre Felipe Arcos Pérez sealed the match with seconds remaining, ensuring Uruguayan celebrations even in defeat, in an Estadio Charrúa packed with more than 5,000 spectators. The regional title added to Peñarol Rugby's 2025 Super Rugby Americas title, making for a positive year for Uruguayan rugby.
Uruguay are the 20th team to qualify for RWC 2027, with four more nations yet to be confirmed through the remaining regional and global qualification processes. Following historic victories in previous tournaments, including their famous upset victory over Fiji at RWC 2019, Los Teros will be eager to make their mark once again on the global stage.
