Team of the Week

We’re a little behind this week, but we haven’t forgotten! To be fair this proved a difficult week, more for lack of quality options than for an abundance. The Pumas had a shocker against France, Canada were only average against Italy, and even the Eagles didn’t look particularly sharp despite shutting out a poor Russian side. Ohio certainly had a few contenders after they rampaged over San Francisco, and both Denver and Sacramento had some solid if unspectacular individual efforts. Here’s our best effort at this week’s side.

1 – Eric Fry (Sacramento) Started at tighthead before shifting to loosehead for the second half. Maybe not quite the start he would have wanted in PRO, but for the best part of an hour the Sacramento pack went toe-to-toe with Denver with Fry adding significant physicality. No complaints about the scrum either.

2 – Zach Fenoglio (Denver) It’s a shame that the USA’s best hooker has made himself unavailable for the Eagles. John Mitchell doesn’t seem like the type to come begging either. Fenoglio has been outstanding all season for Denver and was again on Sunday.

3 – Demecus Beach (Ohio) Looks far more comfortable at loosehead but stepped in on the tight for Angus MacLellan and did the job against San Francisco. His greatest asset is his mobility, which he used to good effect as the Rush were obliterated by the Aviators in Obetz.

4 – Samu Manoa (Toulon) Didn’t get the win but put in a number of solid carries for a second straight week. Rumors of a return to Northampton have been circulating, but surely Mourad Boudjellal will not want to lose one of his prized signings so easily.

5 – Evan Olmstead (Canada) An excellent match in the red jersey, winning turnovers, lineouts, and generally smashing everything that looked Italian. His presence in the June tests only makes it more baffling how he was overlooked for a starting role by the previous coaching staff.

6 – Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (Toulon) Finished his season on a personal high, if not quite finding team success. Another excellent all-action game to end a marvelous season for the old warrior.

7 – Sebastián Kalm (Ohio) A mention to Tony Lamborn who was one of the better Eagles against Russia, but Kalm was absolutely everywhere for the Aviators. Scored two tries and yet another eye-catching display of constant motion.

8 – Langi Haupeakui (USA) Only played 20 minutes against Russia but his impact was such that he had to be included. It’s amazing to think that just a couple months ago he had never played anything higher than local club rugby. The concussive force he generates in the tackle is an awesome sight.

9 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Yes, you’re reading that right. Maxime Machenaud left his team in the worst kind of bind when he was sent off in the 18th minute against Toulon. With no other option, Imhoff stepped in to play the final hour as a scrumhalf and put in a fully commendable effort such that his team lifted the Bouclier de Brennus with only 14 men on the pitch. A match that will live long in his memory.

10 – AJ MacGinty (USA) Put in a professional performance and kicked 20 points to lead the Eagles past Russia. Well on his way to becoming the USA’s greatest ever international flyhalf.

11 – Taylor Paris (Canada) Arguably the best player on the pitch on Sunday, Paris looked absolutely class each and every time he came close to the ball. His kick-chase was superb, and a little grubber in behind the Russian defense could have yielded a try if the support was closer at hand.

12 – Ata Malifa (Denver) The surprise package of the year in the midfield continues to impress. His distribution and decision making give Denver a real edge, and his stepping ability is still surprisingly sharp. Roland Suniula was also in the picture for his contribution to Ohio’s cause.

13 – Ciaran Hearn (Canada) With no great options to choose from, Hearn gets the nod for winning his 50th cap and looking decent when he was on the pitch. We haven’t forgotten his needless yellow card, but it’s been forgiven. We’re just happy to see him back in a Canadian shirt.

14 – Spike Davis (Ohio) Make it three consecutive weeks the bulldozer has made the team! Two more tries and a host of new players terrified to tackle a fearsome physical specimen.

15 – Mike Te’o (USA) Started on the wing and moved to fullback when Will Holder went off. His footwork played its part one again as he landed the only try of the match, and looked dangerous with every touch of the ball. We reckon Holder could be worth a shout at no12, with Te’o starting in the future.