After a league-wide break for the Easter holiday, the American Raptors will kick off the second half of their Super Rugby Americas season on Sunday, April 16 against Pampas.
The American Raptors are still searching for their first victory since joining Super Rugby Americas as they head into Round 8. The Raptors didn’t envision an 0-6 record to start their SRA campaign, but things have been moving in a positive direction despite the rocky start. The Raptors have tallied 10 tries over their last two matches, which is more than double their offensive output through the first four matches of the season. That also coincides with their return to Infinity Park after starting the season with a five week roadtrip in South America.
The Raptors poured in six tries in their 43-40 loss to Cobras Brasil XV in Round 8. At the midway point of the season, three Raptors – Watson Filikitonga, Tommy Clark, and Diego Fortuny – lead the team in try scoring with two apiece. Round 8 also marked the first time this season that the Raptors weren’t administered a yellow card, which is certainly a welcome change for a team that has been handed 12 yellow cards through the first six matches of the season.
Pampas, the Raptors Round 8 opponent, has complied an impressive 4-2 record through the first half of the season. They entered the Easter break on a two-match winning streak, with the most recent victory coming over first-place Peñarol in a 20-19 thriller.
When the Raptors face off with Pampas in Round 8, it will mark the first time this season that the Raptors will see the same opponent for a second time. The first time the two teams played each other was back in Round 3, which saw Pampas defeat the Raptors 27-16 in Buenos Aires.
The Raptors are hoping to parlay the momentum they’ve generated over the previous two matches into their first win of the season at 3 PM on Sunday afternoon. Tickets for the match can be purchased at AmericanRaptors.com/Tickets and the match will be broadcast on ESPN+.
