Team of the Week

Another week of European rugby is on the books and again a week that saw limited success from Americas players. As last week we’ve also been fortunate to have the California Cup in full swing and the Italian Eccellenza to draw from, and thankfully we’ll soon be full-on with the Americas Rugby Championship. Here are our choices from the best of the weekend past.

1 – Romulo Acosta (Petrarca) Two tries for the former Los Tarcos and Benetton Treviso loosehead in the lopsided win over Mogliano. Has now tallied an impressive four tries in four games this season as he looks to re-establish his credentials for a Pro 12 contract.

2 – Joe Taufete’e (Worcester) His first game as a full-time European professional could not have gone much better, though he comes away somewhat heartbroken after a penalty goal in stoppage time stole the result for Brive. Carried strongly throughout and did well in the set piece with only one lineout throw failing to find its mark.

3 – Juan Figallo (Saracens) Not the greatest game ever in the scrum but did well enough in a support role for his 50-odd minutes on the pitch. Put in a number of tackles and got into his fair share of work in the tight-loose where he is as good as any prop in Europe.

4 – Brett Beukeboom (Cornish Pirates) It was a good day at the office for the Canadian second row as the Pirates made short work of the Ospreys Selects in the mud at Maestag. Beukeboom was in the middle of everything and came away with two tries from short range and bragging rights for at least a week.

5 – Leandro Cedaro (La Rochelle) The beefy Resistencia native also got his name on the score sheets as the Rochelais defeated Bayonne at Stade Jean Dauger. A number of carries and strong presence at the lineout helped his side improve their chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages.

6 – Opeti Okusi (SFGG) Will have been gutted to see the game slip away after putting in so much work around the pitch. Smashed into tackles and burst through the line in an all-action man-of-the-match performance against Life West.

7 – Zach Bonte (Life West) Another impressive outing from the 22-year-old, whose aerial acrobatics were very much on display on restarts and lineouts. A little light for test rugby in XVs but has an ideal physique and skill-set for sevens. One to keep an eye on for future honors.

8 – Siupeli Sakalia (Life West) Lined up on the blindside but played like an eightman. A force with ball in hand and came away with two tries including the last that put the Gladiators into the California Cup final. A bit lucky not to be shown yellow for a reckless high shot on Okusi earlier in the game.

9 – Agustín Ormaechea (Mont-de-Marsan) Perhaps not a stirring performance but a solid one amidst a sea of average from his side against Agen. Can’t be faulted for the poor decision making and woeful tackling of his teammates. Will be hopeful of a better effort from his teammates this coming weekend.

10 – Brian Ormson (Viadana) It was a good day at the office for Sebastián Poet as he directed Charente to their decisive win over Albi, but our choice is a second selection for another Argentine. Ormson collected 16 points including a try as Viadana held out a desperate comeback from Lazio to win by two points at the Stadio Zaffanella.

11 – Taylor Paris (Agen) No points on the board but the Canadian star did all the little things that often go unnoticed when adjudicating a winger’s worth. Chasing high balls, sticking tackles, directing the defense, and running smart support lines were all of the highest order in the win over Stade Montois.

12 – Connor Braid (Worcester) His best match in a Warriors jersey and it came in his first start in the midfield. Mixed up his play well, kicked a conversion, and looked more than happy to be in what is surely his best position. If only Canada could find a first class no10 to fill the gap.

13 – Conor Trainor (Vannes) Like a thief in the night. The master-poacher picked off not one but two passes to run clear to the line, with his seven scores on the season now putting him in a three-way tie for top of the Pro D2. A late penalty goal from Maxime Lucu denied Vannes the win but Trainor’s list of exploits grows by the day.

14 – Boomer Roller (Old Aztecs) It’s never fun to be on the wrong end of a hiding but to his credit Roller never waved the white flag and finally got a try on the board against the overwhelming Old Mission Beach tide. That makes it three tries for the outside back on the season, not a bad effort considering the odds stacked against his improving but outgunned side.

15 – Zach Pangelinan (OMBAC) An easy choice after his three-try effort in the opening 25 minutes against Old Aztecs. One of the most skillful players in American rugby over the past few years who can consider himself unlucky to only have two caps to his name.