2016 PRO Rugby Dream Team

The first professional rugby competition contained entirely within the Americas has completed and for the first time Americas Rugby News chooses a select team including players from other nations. PRO Rugby might have been short on world class stars, but there were some veterans who showed they were here for more than just a paycheck and a number of new names who thrust themselves into the limelight with eye-catching performances.

A half-dozen or so selections needed no discussion, but happily there were several positions that required some thought and careful consideration. Individual excellence was the primary factor but contribution to the season as a whole was also important. For example a player who maintained a high standard throughout the season was given the edge over one who had two or three outstanding games.

Happily players from all five franchises made the team. This was entirely on merit, not by design. Champions Denver led the way with five selections, followed by runners-up Ohio with four. A number of players from each were in contention elsewhere. San Francisco is perhaps a surprise with three to San Diego’s two, and Sacramento has earned just one selection. As always we hope this spurs healthy debate.

1 – Jamie Mackintosh (Ohio) The former All Black was the first name on the team sheet for the Aviators and the first for us. Starting in all 12 games at loosehead, ‘Whoppa’ might not be the most technical scrummager out there but he held his own and more than made up for any deficiencies in the loose. Savvy at the breakdown and with a work rate well beyond what one would expect for such a giant of a man. Notched an impressive five tries and also collected four yellow cards, a result of taking ‘professional’ penalties to frustrate the opposition. Now playing in France, one hopes PRO hasn’t seen the last of him but if so he has made a lasting impression.

2 – Zach Fenoglio (Denver) An automatic selection after a brilliant season. The fulcrum of the Denver scrum and the best lineout thrower in the competition, Fenoglio gave all that could be asked of a hooker and then some. Third in the league with an incredible eight tries scored, his mobility allowed him to close out a couple games in the back row. It’s a shame the USA’s best rake has taken himself out of Eagles contention while in the prime of his career. Can John Mitchell tempt him back to the international arena?

3 – Olive Kilifi (Sacramento) Not quite a set-in-stone choice but not far off. Injuries restricted him to an impact sub role for the second half of the season and an impact he certainly made each and every outing. Has improved both his set piece and fitness considerably over the past 12 months and is now clearly among the best props available to the Eagles. His surprising mobility and leg drive in the tackle earned him four tries and gave his team a significant amount of front-foot ball.

4 – Brendan Daly (San Francisco) Second row proved a troublesome area with just about every team chopping and changing on a weekly basis and very few players of genuine international ability. Daly joined the team in Week 6 after his obligations to SFGG were completed and proved one of the most important parts of San Francisco’s turnaround from pushovers to genuine competitors. His efforts clearing rucks and securing possession allowed his other forwards to execute their carry and offload game. Pierce Dargan played a similar role for Ohio and was Daly’s closest competitor at decision time.

5 – Tai Tuisamoa (San Diego) Where Daly plays the workhorse role, Tuisamoa is our impact man in the engine room. There was a question whether the 35-year-old would play at all this season but that was put to bed quickly and when Brian Doyle went down injured in game one, Tuisamoa stepped in and led the charge. His almost trademark gallops through the line were a key feature of San Diego’s offense all season, and he also kept opponents on their toes at the lineout. The pick of the Breakers pack gets in ahead of the likes of Sacramento’s Robert Meeson and Ohio’s Kyle Baillie.

6 – Sam Finau (San Francisco) Hanco Germishuys impressed in every outing with Denver and with a full season behind him might well have earned a spot, but the consistent excellence of Finau from Week 1 through Week 16 cannot be ignored. One of only two players to start every game for the Rush, the Auckland native split his time between blind and openside flank after the injury to Alec Gletzer and seemed to cover every blade of grass week in, week out. Storming runs, big hits, and deft handling skills marked him as a danger man on both sides of the ball. Even managed to look good behind a beaten pack in the opening weeks, which further underlines his value.

7 – Sebastián Kalm (Ohio) A shoe-in for the team, the only question was where? Arguably the league’s best no8 for the first half of the season, he switched to openside when Riekert Hattingh showed up and Matt Hughston went down injured. Hughston himself was worthy of consideration despite missing the second half. Kalm filled the role superbly, with his marauding running style and remarkable work rate making him a contender for man-of-the-match honors virtually every week. His nine tries were second only to teammate Spike Davis. One hopes that international recognition with Chile in the Americas Rugby Championship will follow. Kalm fends off the challenges of a handful of others, not least Denver’s breakdown menace Peter Dahl.

8 – Pedrie Wannenburg (Denver) While the people’s choice might be the formidable Langi Haupeakui of Sacramento, the argument falls short when you consider their respective contributions over the course of the season. Wannenburg led by deed and word each and every week straight through to the title. Whether roping in a lineout, controlling the ball at the base of the scrum, or linking with the backs, the former Springbok was an exemplary professional for his team at every moment of asking.

9 – Shaun Davies (Ohio) Has earned has way back into international contention after a terrific season steering the Aviators to a second place finish. Wastes no time moving the ball from the breakdown and his kicking abilities keep the defense checked, opening space on the outside for the lethal Ohio wingers on quick ball. Doesn’t challenge the fringes as much as others, but he doesn’t have to. Played his role to perfection and a relatively easy choice as the standout halfback in the competition.

10 – Will Magie (Denver) The most difficult spot in the team to choose, with three players putting both hands up for selection. Kurt Morath delivered exactly what we expected for San Diego, with tidy passing skills added to his first class kicking performance. Volney Rouse was brilliant for the Rush and once he finally locked down the no10 spot he showed what a class act he is in all facets of his game. When it came to controlling tempo and field position, however, the nod had to go to Magie, with the title of champion just tipping the scale in his favor. His goal kicking could perhaps be a little sharper, but it’s still a mystery why he isn’t at least in the Eagles Elite Development Squad.

11 – Timana Tahu (Denver) Most observers marked the announcement of his signing curiosity rather than outright excitement, but full credit to the man, he played some cracking rugby this season. While he has clearly lost a step or two from his glory days his strength and ability to sniff out a gap remain, and his underrated passing game created more than the four tries he scored himself. His tackling was up among the most ferocious in the league. Sneaks in ahead of San Francisco speed merchant Pila Iongi and the versatile Phil Mackenzie of San Diego, with Ohio’s Alex Elkins also making his presence felt.

12 – Orene Ai’i (San Francisco) Two Suniulas, one Bergamasco, and Ata Malifa were thrown in the pile but it was the smallest – and oldest – of the bunch that stood tallest at season’s end. Like Malifa, Ai’i was a surprise selection in the midfield, with all of his previous rugby coming as a half or outside back. The pocket dynamo proved a revelation using footwork and speed of through to dance through much bigger men, and his sharp passing skills opened doors for those outside him. Ai’i never shied away from tackles either. In fact his shoulder sent ambitious challengers reeling on more than a few occasions over the season. Top marks for the ageless veteran.

13 – Chad London (Denver) When Dom Waldouck announced his arrival for Ohio with a hat-trick against San Diego we knew this might be close. In the end we let the final game of the season make the decision for us, and though the Aviators stole the result at the death, London’s individual performance was enough to push him past a worthy competitor. Denver’s attack depended heavily on their hard-running outside center whose distribution skills put his wingers in space and kept the defense from doubling up on him with ball in hand. His influence continues to grow this season and he must be inching closer to a starting role with the senior Eagles side.

14 – Spike Davis (Ohio) An easy choice that required no second thoughts, Davis came out of seemingly nowhere to contribute dozens of highlights in a breakthrough season, figuratively and literally. Previously looked at as a loose forward on account of his size and power, it’s not inconceivable that he could end up there again in the future but for now he is hugely effective as a rampaging winger with surprising speed. The rough edges in the his game – and there are many – are easily excusable with the 14 tries he scored, his big hits in defense, turnovers won at the breakdown, and sheer terror he strikes in the opposition.

15 – Mike Te’o (San Diego) A rare talent who seems to have found his best position at fullback after getting a look as both a scrumhalf and midfielder in the past. That said his second half cameo at halfback against Sacramento to end the season was excellent, so who knows in the future. What we know now is that his ability to beat the first defender and create something out of nothing was unmatched this season, and that x-factor makes him an obvious choice in our first ever PRO Rugby Dream Team.