Team of the Week

The European divisions were back in full swing on the weekend and once again it was a good week for the Jaguares in Super Rugby, so there were plenty of players to consider for this week’s selection. We don’t normally spend much time considering amateurs when the professionals are available but two international players had exceptional weeks in their respective domestic leagues and have forced their way in between the full-timers.

1 – Lucas Noguera Paz (Jaguares) Make it three wins in a row for Los Jaguares as they outplayed the Reds in Buenos Aires. Noguera Paz got the shove on at the scrum to set up the opening score and played an important supporting role for an hour, a decent shift for the mobile loosehead.

2 – Ray Barkwill (Castaway Wanderers) Under pressure to keep his spot in the Canadian team after a disappointing Americas Rugby Championship, the veteran put in a shift against UBC with a hat-trick of tries, a rarity for any player never mind a hooker. Barkwill also nailed his lineout throws and even won a key turnover in the midfield.

3 – Francisco Gómez Kodela (Lyon) Another strong effort at the coalface for the former Pumas tighthead. Won the battle in the scrum and worked hard in the loose. Latched on to Carl Fearns to drive the big man over the line for an early second half score in the blowout win over Bayonne.

4 – Javier Lagioiosa (Vannes) In awful weather at Narbonne the Pro D2 newcomers secured a vital win on the road thanks in large part to their set piece. At the forefront of the lineout was the towering Argentine who was a banker on their own ball and disrupted the opposition.

5 – Jamie Cudmore (Oyonnax) Rumors of retirement at the end of the season have crept in but the big man looked as sharp as ever as he led his side to a critical road win over rivals Agen. Cudmore was like an extra flanker, always close in support and was the first man at the ruck in the 70th minute to secure the ball for Dug Codjo’s winning score. Not bad for a 38-year-old second row.

6 – Pablo Matera (Jaguares) Another strong outing on both sides of the ball. The leading carrier among the forwards was also physical in defense and even got up for a couple lineouts.

7 – Facundo Isa (Lyon) Ripped through the line in the opening minute to touch down under the posts and start the rout of Bayonne. Played more of a supporting role following but it’s exactly what was required with his teammates having their way with the opposition.

8 – Robert Barbieri (Benetton Treviso) Spearheaded a massive upset over a complacent Ospreys side at Stadio Monigo. The Toronto native carried the ball into heavy traffic on countless occasions to get his team on the front foot in his best performance of an injury-plagued season.

9 – Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares) His best match in Super Rugby in his young career. Starting to see the gaps on the fringes and broke free while threatening on a handful of occasions. Flat pass put Jerónimo de la Fuente in for his second try.

10 – AJ MacGinty (Sale) Finally starting to fit into the game plan at Sharks, the Eagles star very nearly led them to an upset win over Exeter at the fortress that is Sandy Park. Came away with 20 points from the boot but it wasn’t quite enough with the Chiefs escaping by a 30-25 score.

11 – Blaine Scully (Cardiff Blues) Captained the Blues for the first time and gave everything in the narrowest of defeats at the RDS. Long breakout down the left lank created a try for Tomos Williams in the first half, then another in the second opened the door for Sion Bennett to race away untouched.

12 – Jerónimo de la Fuente (Jaguares) Loving life in the Jaguares midfield and making a case for first choice Pumas selection. His outside-in angled running continues to catch the defense off guard and landed him a pair of tries in the win over the Reds. Mixed his game well with strong distribution and even had a couple decent kicks.

13 – Matías Orlando (Jaguares) Another good game in defense, which has become his staple, but added considerable offensive output against the Reds. Effective as a strike runner to give the Jaguares two dynamic attackers in the midfield.

14 – Facundo Panceyra Garrido (Charente) Scored his fifth try of the season in fine fashion at the end of a long breakout early in the second half. Powerful running continues to attract defenders and open space elsewhere. It would not be a surprise to see him in the Top 14 next season.

15 – Agustín Sánchez (Hammerheads) It was a monster day for the Mexican international who led his Cancún club side to a 29-17 win over the Wallabies from Mexico City. Sánchez scored 24 points in all to show his class both on attack and off the kicking tee.