Chilean Rugby is in a period of change that it hasn't experienced for many years. Erwin Rasmussen a development officer for the Chilean Rugby Union runs through the movement and new direction rugby in the South American country.

Erwin explained that after 12 years of stewardship the Chairman Mr. Miguel Ángel Mujica and his board of directors are stepping aside on Jan 2nd 2008.

The new board he continues, will have three important tasks to carry out in their first year in control. Firstly, the participation of our men’s and women’s seven-a-side national representative team in the South American Championship in Uruguay and in the IRB Sevens World Series, in Los Angeles (men). Secondly, the participation of our Senior and U20 National representative teams in the South American Championships. Thirdly, the organisation of the First IRB U20 Junior World Trophy, which will take place in Santiago, Chile, between April 11 and April 28, 2008. Five Teams have already qualified: Chile (the host), Uruguay, Jamaica, Georgia and Namibia. The other three teams will come from Asia (one), Europe (one) and Pacific Islands (one).

You mention the First IRB U20 Junior World Trophy to be held in Santiago, What programmes do you have in place to expand the game?

We have in place a "Talent Development Programme", for age grade players, (15 to 18 years old).

This Programme is taking place only in Santiago and Valparaíso. With the sponsorhip of the IRB, we have a "Cross Border Tournament", with Clubs and Regional Teams both from Chile and Argentina.

The main goal of this Tournament is to develop rugby skills at club level. As the players play with stronger teams, they will be able to improve their skills, preparing themselves for high performance.

 We also organise National Tournaments for Clubs, Regional Teams and seven-a-side. We have a national coaching programme for coaches and referees.  

 How many clubs and players do you have in Chile?

We have 114 Clubs and 16658 registered players. This includes Schools, Clubs, Universities and other Rugby Bodies as well  as male and female players (347 women)

Who are traditionally the strongest clubs and regions?

The main region has traditionally been Santiago, with 3 very strong sides: Universidad Católica, Stade Française and Prince of Wales Country Club. Then we have Valparaíso, with Old Mackayans RFC (www.oldmackayans.cl), and Concepción, with Troncos and Old John's. Universidad Católica has won most of the recent Championships, but this year, (10.11.2007) Troncos, from Concepción won for the first time the Central Tournament to Universidad Católica.

Each Region or Province has their own Association. The main Associations are: Asociación de Rugby de Santiago (Arusa), who organises the most important Tournament in Chile (www.arusa.cl), and the Associations of Valparaíso and Concepción.

Has the number of clubs grown recently?

Rugby is growing but not as fast as we would like. Female rugby has grown a lot. We had 6 Clubs in 2002, and now we have 17 Clubs. Women mostly play rugby sevens.

The strongest Club is Villa Alemana Rugby Club. For the second time they became the Campions of the Female Seven-a-Side National Circuit, First Division.

The last leg of this Tournament took place on Saturday 10 November, at Villa Alemana's City Stadium. They won the Tournament and the Circuit. These girls just got back from a Tournament in Uruguay, where they played against very strong teams from Uruguay and specially from Brazil. They obtained 3rd. place.
 
 Finally, how many test matches does Chile play per year and in what competitions?

Not too many. Last year we participated in the Qualifying Rounds for the IRB World Cup. Each year we participate in:

• South American Championship (Senior and U19)
• South America Sevens (men and women)
• IRB World Sevens Series
     
We do not have an International Schedule, and we play whenever we have a chance of receiving a foreign team.

The challenge that is now facing the new board has to be is to increase the Test matches and the iRB ranking of Chilean Rugby. Erwin, thanks very much for your time, best of luck for 2008.

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