Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It’s been one heckuva busy week already and there’s so much more to get to, but we still have enough time to fit in our picks from the past weekend’s action. A couple big finals in the UK, two matches in the USA, Pro D2 semi-finals in France and a crazy Super Rugby match at Nelson Mandela Bay…
1 – Santiago García Botta (Jaguares) You had to feel a little bit for the Argentines, who had two red cards in the first half but still held the lead until the final minutes. García Botta gave his best in a 6-man pack before coming off just before the hour mark.
2 – Agustín Creevy (Jaguares) Put in his usual workrate and then some. Must be frustrated with his team’s discipline, which has been a weak point all season.
3 – Olive Kilifi (Sacramento) Another who rolled up his sleeves when the chips were down. Held strong in the scrum and carried superbly, including another try from close range.
4 – Brendan Daly (San Francisco) While his teammates were having a glory day, and his fellow forwards dancing and offloading like backs, Daly was doing the dirty work, doing all the things locks are supposed to be doing. The SFGG captain has made a noticeable impact since joining the PRO franchise.
5 – Rodrigo Capó Ortega (Castres) Led his team to a come-from-behind victory over Oyonnax in a good old fashioned arm wrestle at the Stade Charles Mathon. It was a massive result for the club that puts them just one game away from qualifying for the 2016/17 Champions Cup.
6 – Tomás Lezana (Jaguares) Up until his yellow card that left his team with only 12 men on the pitch, the flanker was having a storming game. Carried and tackled his heart out against nearly impossible odds.
7 – Matt Hughston (Ohio) Continues to set the standard for loose forwards in PRO. Yet another top effort to remind the Eagles selectors that they forgot someone in their June plans.
8 – Facundo Isa (Jaguares) Another rampaging man-of-the-match performance at the back of the scrum, he also scored his team’s only try. Set to feature prominently for Los Pumas in their June test series.
9 – Martín Landajo (Jaguares) Didn’t threaten quite as much on the fringes but moved the ball quickly and marshaled his forwards well. It will be interesting to see who gets the first shot for the Jaguares between Landajo and Brumbies standout Tomás Cubelli.
10 – AJ MacGinty (Connacht) Not the easiest day off the kicking tee, but otherwise he had an excellent game to steer his team to their first ever Guinness Pro 12 title. Left-footed grubber to Matt Healy sealed the victory just before the hour mark.
11 – Chris Wyles (Saracens) What a season it’s been for the Eagles star. Already a Champions Cup winner, he made it a double with an Aviva Premiership win over the Exeter Chiefs. Scored an outstanding individual try in the first half that ultimately proved to be the difference.
12 – Andrew Suniula (San Diego) In a team filled with flash and dash, Suniula provides crucial go-forward in the midfield, but also showed some nice hands with a huge pass to set up a try out wide. Scored one of his own later on as he caught the Sacramento defense unawares.
13 – Segundo Tuculet (Jaguares) His first ever Super Rugby match and it came in the unusual position of midfield. The younger Tuculet played well in front of his brother Joaquín, making one line break and winning a couple turnovers in defense.
14 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Two tries in the big win over La Rochelle. The Pumas star won’t be wearing his country’s colours in June, but looks to be in contention for the Rio Olympics.
15 – Martín Bustos Moyano (Bayonne) A masterful performance in the Pro D2 semi-final, kicking 23 points with the boot and setting up Kade Poki for the only try in the win over Colomiers. Next up, the final against Aurillac.
