Team of the Week

It was a good week for Americas rugby, with action all over the globe. Players involved in Asia, Europe, North and South America all vied for selection in one of the most contentious teams we’ve ever had to pick. Only 15 make the final cut, but many more were in the running. More of the same next week please!

1 – Marcos Ayerza (Leicester) His team came up short but the Pumas veteran can hold his head up high with a good effort throughout. Held firm in the scrum with his team struggling on the other side.

2 – Agustín Creevy (Jaguares) At the heart of most of his team’s positives. Carried well, won two turnovers at the breakdown, and scored a try while maintaining high standards at the set piece.

3 – Ben Tarr (Denver) A tip of the cap to Gastón Cortes, who scored a try in another strong performance for Bristol, but Tarr deserve his nomination. Absolutely anihiliated the San Francisco scrum in an impressive showing that will certainly do his international chances no harm.

4 – Tai Tuisamoa (San Diego) Replaced poor Brian Doyle in the second minute of the match and went on to gallop around the pitch like his best days in an Eagles shirt. Still has a spring in his step at the ripe old age of 35, though he might need to touch up on his passing game.

5 – Diego Magno (Uruguay) Carried on his fine Americas Rugby Championship form with another excellent match for Los Teros. Scored a first half try and powered the engine room in an impressive team performance in São Paulo.

6 – Gonzalo Campomar (Uruguay) Recalled after several years in the international wilderness and responded with a fine match. Scored two tries as part of a dominant back row in the big win over Brazil.

7 – Andrew Durutalo (Sunwolves) Moved between flanker and no8 during the match, he was outstanding with ball in hand in the first-ever win for the Japanese franchise. Tusi Pisi might have been man-of-the-match but Durutalo was certainly the best forward.

8 – Facundo Isa (Jaguares) Another difficult choice, with Uruguay skipper Alejandro Nieto equally worthy. Isa had another bullocking performance at the back of the scrum, beasting through tacklers and nabbing an intercept try.

9 – Agustín Ormaechea (Mont-de-Marsan) Once again steered the Montois to a resounding victory over Carcassonne. Played a crucial role in nearly every try and scored one of his own, finishing a superb length-of-the-field team effort.

10 – Ignacio Mieres (Dax) There were options here with Sebastián Poet of Tarbes and San Diego’s Kurt Morath both putting up their hand, but Mieres just edges them out. Kicked six penalties and one conversion for 20 points and played a starring role in a big win over Béziers.

11 – Tim Stanfill (San Diego) Didn’t get a score himself but played a role in others. Showed his trademark pace with every touch and his nifty offload put Phil Mackenzie over in the first half.

12 – Ata Malifa (Denver) Selection in the midfield raised eyebrows but he proved himself more than up to the task with a man-of-the-match effort against Sacramento. Played a 2nd five-eighth role by kicking and distributing, and slipped through for a try early in the second half.

13 – Matías Nordenflycht (Chile) Will be somewhat disappointed with his kicking accuracy but still came away with 17 points against Paraguay by virtue of a try, five conversions, and a penalty goal. A European contract cannot be far away for the 22-year-old.

14 – Federico Favaro (Uruguay) Played at fullback but his performance necessitated his selection in his more familiar position of wing. Showed excellent positioning and awareness and never put his team under pressure either by kicking or running out of danger.

15 – Emilano Boffelli (Jaguares) Replaced the desperately unlucky Joaquín Tuculet in the first minute and produced an excellent performance. Boffelli used his height to great effect under the high ball, and his leaping take of Ramiro Moyano’s chip kick ended with a top class spin and score in the first half.