2016 ARN Club Player of the Year

Americas players have long been forced to balance their professional club careers with international availability, with test rugby often coming second in terms of priority, at least outside of the World Cup. Things have been further complicated with the UAR’s new policy of excluding European-based professionals from Pumas selection. There are also those who have opted out or retired from international consideration, and others overlooked for political reasons or simply unappreciated by the selectors. Because of this our award for Club Player of the Year takes on special meaning, with four out of five nominees absent from test rugby entirely during the 2016 calendar year.

HONOURABLE MENTION

It may have taken some time, but when AJ MacGinty finally got his opportunity with Connacht he took it with both hands. It was injury to first-choice flyhalf Jack Carty that handed MacGinty his chance. By the end of the season he had steered Connacht to their first ever Pro 12 title, an amazing feat given that the west country province had long been treated as a development side by the IRFU. The victory also meant that Connacht had qualified for the European Champions Cup, the first time they had ever done so on individual merit, the previous two times coming on the back of Leinster’s automatic placement. Irish regulations meant that MacGinty could not stay in Connacht this season, and he is now at Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership.

Last year’s winner, Chris Wyles, is a contender once again for another stellar year with Saracens. Not only did they repeat as Aviva Premiership champions, they went one better and claimed the biggest prize in Europe – the Champions Cup. In doing so he became just the second USA international to achieve that distinction, following in the footsteps of the great Bath no8 Dan Lyle. Wyles was a mainstay on the left wing for Saracens throughout the 2015-16 season and has carried his fine form over into the first half of the current campaign.

While its stature has since faded, PRO Rugby was a great treat to American fans during its inaugural season. There was plenty of exciting rugby and top talent to follow. At the top of the heap by out estimation was Ohio Aviators loose forward Sebastián Kalm. Game in, game out, he was inevitably in the discussion for man-of-the-match, and often won. When it came time to choose a Dream Team, there was never any question that Kalm would be included, only which jersey to choose him in. His tremendous work rate and offloading ability made him a key component to the Aviators attack whether on the flank or at no8. The former Chilean u20 star has yet to make his test debut and recent rumors suggest he may opt to play for the Eagles, perhaps with an eye to playing in the World Cup. It would be a great shame for Los Cóndores to lose such a talented player if so.

The best loosehead prop in Argentina last year did not play for the Pumas, or even the Argentina XV. Nor did he have a professional contract overseas. Francisco Ferronato was instead enjoying a remarkable season for Belgrano. The club took home their first URBA Top 14 title since 1968, and Ferronato’s contribution was not just the typical heavy lifting required of a front row forward. Two tries in a game is an impressive feat for a forward, and a special day for a prop. Ferronato scored an unbelievable 17 tries in 15 games during the tournament. The feat is made more impressive given he was at the forefront of the best scrum in the competition. He then went on to win the Campeonato Argentino provincial competition with Buenos Aires, and the 29-year-old will finally get his chance to wear the Argentine jersey in the upcoming ARC.

THE WINNER

It seems ironic that our choice for the best performer in club rugby from the Americas happens to be one that has been frozen out of international duty despite being among the very best in his position in European rugby. Juan Imhoff enjoyed a spectacular season with Racing 92. The Argentine World Cup star produced some magnificent individual performances, including scoring the winning try in the semi final and playing the majority of the final filling in at scrumhalf when Maxime Machenaud was sent off. Racing 92 lifted the Bouclier de Brennus for the first time since 1990. They also reached the Champions Cup final, only to lose out to Saracens. Imhoff is among the most prolific try scorers in Europe and his world class form continues during the current season, possibly the finest of his career. It’s a terrible shame that policy, not performance, is keeping him from sharing his talents in test rugby at the height of his career.

The 2016 ARN Club Player of the Year is Juan Imhoff.