2016 ARC Dream Team

We’ve debated and arm wrestled and thrown names in a hat, but finally decided on our top XV from the Americas Rugby Championship. Because of the nature of the inaugural tournament we had to lay down a couple stipulations – players had to have started a minimum of two matches to be eligible. That means top professionals like Takudzwa Ngwenya, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, and Mario Sagario were not in the equation. Hopefully in the future we’ll see more of their calibre included on a more frequent basis.

A number of choices were very close and came right down to the wire. In some cases we had to weigh whether two strong games warranted selection over a player who had appeared in the majority of the tournament, but in the end put more weight on quality than quantity. Here is our 2016 ARN Dream Team for the Americas Rugby Championship.

1 – Ramón Ayarza (Chile) One of the closest calls with several in contention, but we felt Ayarza’s impressive contribution in his two games merited recognition. He was excellent in the opener against Brazil and despite the team’s bashing against Canada he managed to stand out both in the scrum and with ball in hand. At just 22 his best years are head of him and he looks capable of playing well above his current home in Fédérale 1.

2 – Santiago Iglesias Valdez (Argentina XV) The captain of the winning side started four matches and looked top quality in each. Mobile and accurate in the set piece, his leadership qualities were also apparent. A good bet to see some Super Rugby action this season after a fine tournament. Canada’s Ray Barkwill was his closest challenger.

3 – Juan Echeverría (Uruguay) It seems strange that our choice was benched for the final game, but Los Teros won’t be complaining that their second choice tighthead was the best scrummager in the Championship. Others might have been more prominent in the loose but the stocky 24-year-old gave all of his opponents problems when it came to business time.

4 – Pedro Ortega (Argentina XV) Our top lineout specialist might be a little undersized for test rugby, but he makes up for it with an unrivaled workrate and unwavering commitment. Truth be told there are others who will go on to bigger things but over the course of the five weeks Ortega was good value. USA’s Ben Landry would not look out of place in the side but poor discipline in the last two matches cost his team and his chances too many points.

5 – Diego Magno (Uruguay) Moving up from the back row did nothing to quench the appetite for involvement of Los Teros’ most consistent forward. Another short of genuine international size in the second row but up to par by any other standard. He only made our weekly selections once but was in the discussion every time with his carrying and grunt work. Apparently he is now interested in trying his hand at PRO Rugby. Sounds like a good fit to us.

6 – José Deheza (Argentina XV) Wearing his familiar six but playing openside on our team, the 20-year-old with the distinctive red scrum cap formed an impressive flanker combination with Lautaro Bavaro, who himself came close to selection. Aggressive, relentless and dynamic, Deheza got better as the tournament went on and looks set to challenge for Pumas selection for a long time.

7 – Todd Clever (USA) It was great to see the captain wearing the Eagles shirt and even better to see him smiling, clearly enjoying his rugby again. Even his dealings with the officials seemed refreshingly cordial. Looked at home playing openside but we’re nudging him over to the blind to make room for the ball hunter Deheza. Will a strongly rumored move back home prolong his international career?

8 – David Tameilau (USA) Each team put forth an argument but this was a unanimous selection. We expected brutality from the Life West giant but were pleased to find subtlety and awareness as well. When the Eagles were sputtering somewhat, Tameilau was still one of the best players on the pitch. He looks like a certainty to join the full squad when they congregate for the June tests.

9 – Gordon McRorie (Canada) This might well have gone to another Canadian, the impressive newcomer Andrew Ferguson, or the feisty Brazilian dynamo Lucas Duque. The selection of McRorie was based on his presence in his three starts – in each he dictated tempo and territory, and kicked his points when on offer. Certainly seemed to enjoy a new game plan and must now rise to the challenge of Ferguson to keep his spot in the Canadian pecking order.

10 – Juan Cruz González (Argentina XV) Simply put, this was the least impressive position in the tournament. Eagles newcomer James Bird had his moments, both good and not-so-good. González meanwhile appeared only twice but was a star on both occasions, dancing through tacklers and showing an array of footballing skills that have previously seen him involved with the Pumas 7s side. It seems his diminutive size has held him back from selection in the wider game, but by our estimation he looks more than capable of handling himself.

11 – Luke Hume (USA) Returned from an extended absence from the side and showed the same attacking flair that got him there in the first place. Top class footwork and deceiving upper body strength, it’s a shame that he looks likely to miss out on PRO Rugby this year with no East Coast franchise. In any event, welcome back to test rugby, we hope he sticks around for a while longer.

12 – Joaquín Paz (Argentina XV) A close call with five top contenders for only two available spots. Only played in the first two matches but was so impressive on attack he was hauled up into the Super Rugby squad. His four tries against Chile have set a new standard that will be difficult to match. Chad London settled into the Eagles side and had a strong back end to the tournament.

13 – Matías Nordenflycht (Chile) The leading points scorer in the Championship earned his place with his all-round game, not just his boot. Ran powerfully throughout and tackled with venom, and like his teammate Ayarza he stood out even when things were going badly for Los Cóndores. Juan Cappiello of the Argentina XV was within a whisker of selection, while Canada’s Phil Mackenzie was in contention both at centre and on the wing.

14 – Juan Pablo Estellés (Argentina XV) Made us all wonder why he wasn’t starting in the first place with two superb matches at the tail end of the Championship. Normally a centre, the rangy runner is another who could possibly see Super Rugby action given his form and versatility. As it was, he was the standout wing and one of the first names on our tournament selection.

15 – Daniel Sancery (Brazil) Came just a couple metres short of scoring in all five matches of the competition, the Sancery twins proved a revelation for Os Tupis, with Daniel just ahead of brother Felipe. Such was his class as a counter-attacker that you have to wonder why he isn’t getting game time with Albi. It’s beyond explanation from our point of view, but perhaps his outstanding tournament will put him in the mix going forward.

 

WEEKLY SELECTIONS

Week 1
1 Eric Fry (USA) 2 Joseph Taufete’e (USA) 3 Chris Baumann (USA) 4 Marcos Kremer (Argentina XV) 5 Callum Morrison (Canada) 6 Rodrigo Báez (Argentina XV) 7 Juan Manuel Gaminara (Uruguay) 8 David Tameilau (USA) 9 Gonzalo Bertranou (Argentina XV) 10 James Bird (USA) 11 Dan Moor (Canada) 12 Matías Nordenflycht (Chile) 13 Mozac Samson (Canada) 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya (USA) 15 Daniel Sancery (Brazil)

Week 2
1 Claudio Zamorano (Chile) 2 Axel Zapata (Argentina XV) 3 Luis Sepúlveda (Chile) 4 Franco Lamanna (Uruguay) 5 Ben Landry (USA) 6 Lucas Rumball (Canada) 7 Todd Clever (USA) 8 Alejandro Nieto (Uruguay) 9 Gordon McRorie (Canada) 10 David Harvey (Brazil) 11 Segundo Tuculet (Argentina XV) 12 Joaquín Paz (Argentina XV) 13 Chad London (USA) 14 Luke Hume (USA) 15 Pedro Mercerat (Argentina XV)

Week 3
1 Djustice Sears-Duru (Canada) 2 Ray Barkwill (Canada) 3 Juan Echeverría (Uruguay) 4 Paul Ciulini (Canada) 5 Ben Landry (USA) 6 Lucas Rumball (Canada) 7 Lautaro Bavaro (Argentina XV) 8 Clay Panga (Canada) 9 Andrew Ferguson (Canada) 10 JP Eloff (USA) 11 Franco Cuaranta (Argentina XV) 12 Juan Cappiello (Argentina XV) 13 Lorenzo Thomas (USA) 14 Luke Hume (USA) 15 Mike Te’o (USA)

Week 4
1 Lucas Abud (Brazil) 2 Santiago Iglesias Valdez (Argentina XV) 3 Juan Echeverría (Uruguay) 4 Kyle Baillie (Canada) 5 Luiz Vieira (Brazil) 6 Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Argentina XV) 7 Javier Richard (Chile) 8 David Tameilau (USA) 9 Lucas Duque (Brazil) 10 Moisés Duque (Brazil) 11 Federico Favaro (Uruguay) 12 Matías Nordenflycht (Chile) 13 Juan Cappiello (Argentina) 14 Juan Pablo Estellés (Argentina XV) 15 Daniel Sancery (Brazil)

Week 5
1 Ramón Ayarza (Chile) 2 Germán Kessler (Uruguay) 3 Enrique Pieretto (Argentina XV) 4 Cameron Pierce (Canada) 5 Diego Magno (Uruguay) 6 Kyle Baillie (Canada) 7 José Deheza (Argentina XV) 8 Santiago Portillo (Argentina XV) 9 Gordon McRorie (Canada) 10 Juan Cruz González (Argentina XV) 11 Pedro Mercerat (Argentina XV) 12 Chad London (USA) 13 Phil Mackenzie (Canada) 14 Juan Pablo Estellés (Argentina XV) 15 Daniel Sancery (Brazil)