Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The turning point of the Americas Rugby Championship saw the teams break into three distinct groups. As expected the Argentina XV and USA are tied for the lead after convincing wins, while Uruguay is now level with Canada after getting past a tricky Brazilian side. A number of players put their hands up this week, particularly in the second row where the competition was hot.
1 – Nicolás Solveyra (Argentina XV) Dominant in the scrum against two much bigger men and prominent in the loose with a couple strong carries. Rewarded with a try while masquerading as a winger. Can’t ask for much more than that.
2 – Martín Espiga (Uruguay) Some pause for thought was given after Peter Malcolm’s impressive display against Canada, but we felt Espiga was was just a little bit better. A perfect display of throwing in the lineout and very active around the pitch. His textbook two-on-one pass to Ignacio Dotti for a try was a front rower’s dream.
3 – Mario Sagario (Uruguay) No obvious choices, though three youngsters caught the eye. Eduardo Bello impressed for Argentina, Matt Tierney went well for Canada, and Matheus Rocha looks a good prospect for Brazil after his cameo on debut against Uruguay. We’ll give this one to the hardened veteran, however, who powered the Teros scrum ahead en route to a pushover try for Alejandro Nieto.
4 – Nate Brakeley (USA) Try-scorer Dotti played well, as did Mario Mayol for Chile. The best, however, was Brakeley. After adding bulk to his frame he has been arguably the standout player for the Eagles in the ARC. His lineout steal created the opening try and his work rate around the pitch was outstanding including two turnovers at the tackle. A real loss for the Eagles as he returns to work commitments instead of traveling south.
5 – Ignacio Larrague (Argentina XV) Brakeley’s running mate Nick Civetta was also excellent and has proven the lineout jumper in the competition. Diego Ayala also had a strong game for Uruguay, scoring a try and nearly grabbing a second. Larrague gets the gong for his rampaging performance against Chile, heaving his massive frame into defenders and clearing rucks like a trojan.
6 – Francisco Gorrissen (Argentina XV) An all-action display from the newcomer before he was sadly felled by a lower leg injury late in the game. Provided guaranteed lineout possession and linked with the backs superbly. Looks unlikely to feature in the last two games but he looks yet another impressive loose forward talent in the Argentine stables.
7 – Juan Manuel Gaminara (Uruguay) In his first game back from injury and only lasted 50 minutes but he was the most influential forward while he was out there. Numerous carries into heavy traffic put Los Teros on the front foot. Anton Petrowitsch was also a class act once more for Chile.
8 – Admir Cejvanovic (Canada) His best performance in a Canadian jersey, appropriately on his home turf. Ran with real purpose, breaking the gain line repeatedly, and one of few Canadians to win the collisions. His leg-pumping drive straight through a fresh David Tameilau in the 78th minute was equal parts power and determination.
9 – Santiago Arata (Uruguay) Seems to be improving from minute to minute. Teros coach Esteban Meneses put his faith in the 20-year-old and he has been repaid. Arata put in a man-of-the-match performance against Brazil with his snappy distribution and lightning breaks around the fringes. Followed up his pass to Gonzalo Soto to take a return in for a try. A real talent.
10 – Will Magie (USA) Left the goal kicking duties to Shaun Davies and looked more relaxed as a result. Distributed well and again showed off his arsenal of tactical kicking skills, including what is becoming a trademark cross-kick to the corner. Another good game should cement his name on the June roster.
11 – Taylor Paris (Canada) On the losing side but undoubtedly the class player on the pitch in Burnaby, if not across the entire competition. Puts maximal effort into everything he does, whether chasing a kickoff or flying past despairing defenders. Two tries puts him on the top of the ARC scoring list as he returns to France, much to the chagrin of Canadian supporters.
12 – Moisés Duque (Brazil) One of a few frustrated bodies in the Brazilian backline. Aside from an uncharacteristic knock-on from a kick, Duque was his country’s best with smashing defense and hard running through the midfield. Scored all 12 of his team’s points from the kicking tee.
13 – Bruno Devoto (Argentina XV) An excellent performance in the midfield with two tries and only a knock-on as he was reaching over the line preventing a third. Offload from the deck created a score for Fernando Luna and a crisp pass put Solveyra away. Bryce Campbell also looked good going forward for the Eagles, and just needs to shore up his defensively alignment.
14 – Fernando Luna (Argentina XV) Started at fullback but shifted to the wing in the second half. Caused problems with every touch, and finished off a sweeping move at the end of the first half. A perfect three-for-three after he took over the goal kicking duties when Juan Cruz González departed.
15 – Mike Te’o (USA) Three tries gets your application rubber stamped in this team. Frustrated defenders all game with his goose step hiding rapid acceleration. His third try might have looked opportunistic, but being in the right place at the right time is the mark of all good finishers. Rodrigo Fernández landed a brilliant solo try for Chile and had at least one try-saving tackle.
