Argentina thrashed Uruguay in Buenos Aires on Wednesday to win the Pan American rugby crown for the fifth successive time.

The hosts beat United States 42-8 in their opening game and can complete a clean sweep in the championship by beating Canada on Saturday.

Argentina 57 Tries: Rimas Alvarez 2, Ignacio Corleto 2, Mauricio Reggiardo, Martin Scelzo, Jose Maria Nunez Piossek, Federico Mendez, Agustin Pichot Cons: Gonzalo Quesada 6 Uruguay 0 United States 35 Tries: Mike Hercus, Riaan van Zyl, Kevin Dalzell, Dan Dorsey Cons: Hercus 3 Pens: Hercus 2 Drop goal: Hercus Canada 20 Tries: Mark Lawson, Morgan Williams Cons: James Pritchard 2 Pens: Pritchard 2

United States beat Canada 35-20 in the other match on Wednesday.

The Pumas have never lost in the Pan American event, and won the four previous tournaments in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2001.

They welcomed back scrum-half Agustin Pichot from an ankle injury for the nine-try defeat of Uruguay.

Pichot scored a try before being replaced in the second-half by Nicolas Fernandez Miranda.

"I felt very good. I didn't even notice that it's been nine months since I've played with the Pumas," Pichot told La Nacion.