Team of the Week

International rugby returned this weekend with Los Pumas having some success against the Springboks but also letting themselves down at key moments. The Mitre 10 Cup in New Zealand and French Top 14 also got underway giving us a few more Americas players to look out for, while the URBA Top 14 continues to provide a few standout individuals.

1 – Francisco Ferronato (Belgrano) The 28-year-old is in the form of his life, scoring a try in his fifth consecutive game. He now leads the division with an astonishing 11 tries in 10 games. All this while part of the best scrum in the URBA Top 14.

2 – Augusto Faraone (Hindú) His club smashed Regatas on the weekend, with the stocky hooker contributing his first score of the season in the first half. Linked well to create the bonus point try and on target in his core role of throwing at the lineout.

3 – Chris Baumann (Wellington) A great start for the Colorado native in his Mitre 10 Cup debut. Rock solid in the scrum and put in a huge number of carries in heavy traffic to suck in the Hawke’s Bay defense.

4 – Pablo Huete (Bayonne) The Chilean’s Top 14 debut was a memorable one as Bayonne stunned Toulon 28-23 in their return to the top flight. Got a rest after 50 minutes of hard work, particularly in defense around the fringes.

5 – Rodrigo Capó Ortega (Castres) A successful start to the new season as Pau were made to suffer at Stade Pierre Antoine. Led his side to a dominant victory despite playing a man down for 60+ minutes after Rory Kockott was sent off for stamping.

6 – Pablo Matera (Argentina) Just another typical bruising effort from the big man whose numerous carries were more impressive than his tackles for one. One overzealous penalty early at the breakdown but otherwise a top performance.

7 – Tony Lamborn (Hawke’s Bay) Didn’t get many opportunities to carry the ball but had one clear burst through the line. Put in a shift in defense as his team’s leading tackler. Will be disappointed to let his Eagles teammate Baumann get one up on him early.

8 – Facundo Isa (Argentina) Gets in ahead of Sergio Parisse who also had a great game for Stade Français, which says something about Isa’s effort. A monster with ball in hand against the Mighty Boks, bumping off would-be tacklers and winning a key turnover at the breakdown in defense.

9 – Agustín Figuerola (Lyon) Didn’t quite get the win against his former club Brive, but played all 80 minutes in the draw as LOU marked their own return to the Top 14. Bossed his forwards well, and has carried over his strong play from last season.

10 – Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres) Had to take on more responsibility when Kockott went off and responded brilliantly with another class performance. Added 13 points with the boot and a cross-kick that put Thomas Combezou over in the corner.

11 – Franco Sábato (Alumni) Didn’t take long to find his feet in the XVs game again after returning from the Olympic Games. Often moved in-field looking for work and showed tremendous pace to gather and score on a chip ahead that should have won the game were it not for a late score from San Luis.

12 – Juan Martín Hernandez (Argentina) A good match, if perhaps not quite at El Mago standard. Used variety well t keep the Springboks guessing whether he would run, pass or kick. Held his own in defense.

13 – Severiano Escobio (Hindú) His terrific club form continues with two more tries against Regatas. His first was opportunist, diving on a nice grubber through, his second was a brilliant line back on the inside. Will he get a chance at the Argentina XV or Pumas 7s in the near future?

14 – Santiago Cordero (Argentina) Very good outing for the sprightly winger. His wide ball put Matías Orlando over for the first try and he popped up in the midfield to take the nudge ahead from Nicolás Sánchez over the line himself.

15 – Martín Bustos Moyano (Bayonne) Had to come off at the break but what an impact he made! Searing line break opened the door for Gregory Arganese to score and added five points via the boot.