Team of the Week

It was knock-out weekend in European rugby but few Americas players had a say, so it’s the South American World Cup qualifiers that instead get the bulk of the attention. A ‘sneak preview’ of what might be headed our way in Major League Rugby was also worth noting as the Ontario Blues put in a impressive performance at Sherwood Forest Park.

1 – Rob Brouwer (Ontario Blues) Set the standard as any good captain should in the big win over Glendale at Burlington. Started at loosehead and switched to tighthead near the half-hour mark but the result was the same – complete domination in the scrum. Now set to take part in the June test series.

2 – Martín Espiga (Uruguay) His influence in the team continues to grow after ending his international exile. Played the full 80 minutes against Brazil and gave everything in what proved a very difficult match. Effort exemplified when the ball was hammered downfield with nobody at home it was the veteran hooker who got their first to save the day.

3 – Jose Tomás Munita (Chile) This week it’s another Cóndores prop who earns plaudits. Looks to have established himself as a long-term successor to Sergio de la Fuente and at 24 years old has plenty of room to grow. His mobility in the loose produced a try in the huge win over Paraguay. Uruguay’s Juan Echeverría also deserves a mention for his destruction of the Brazilian scrum in Montevideo.

4 – Mike Sheppard (Ontario Blues) The type of player every team needs but one that rarely gets recognition beyond regional level. Looks to be locked into the second row this season and had no trouble making an impact against the Raptors, powering the scrum from the engine room and even getting himself on the scoreboard with a hard-earned try from close range. Might not be on Canada’s radar this June but the Blues are happy to have him in their side.

5 – Manuel Leindekar (Uruguay) His first test start was a good one as the towering youngster completely dominated the airways in Montevideo. A key cog in a completely dominant scrum and used his strength to good effect in the loose. A very promising beginning in what should be a long career in the Teros lineup.

6 – João Luiz da Ros (Brazil) Turned back the clock with a superb performance, his best in recent memory, as the Tupis gave Los Teros a scare on their home turf. Put in several crunching tackles, carried strongly, even got up for a couple lineout takes. Assumed the captaincy with Nick Smith went off early in the second half and even scored a try. Approaching his 35th birthday his days in test rugby are numbered but ‘Ige’ showed he still has some life left in the old legs.

7 – Ignacio Silva (Chile) A standout in the open spaces of sevens, the classic link-man reveled in the sensational opening in Santiago that put more than 50 points up on Paraguay before the half. Notched a try and was omnipresent throughout as Los Cóndores now take aim at Uruguay for a spot in the repechage rounds of the World Cup qualifiers. Brian Wanless was the pick of the Raptors forwards with some enterprising attacking play against the Blues.

8 – Benjamín Soto (Chile) Veteran hard-man helped himself to a pair of tries in the blowout victory, part of a dominant loose forward trio with Silva and Anton Petrowitsch. Now has a chance to be part of history if he can inspire his team to a win against the odds in Montevideo this weekend.

9 – Andrew Ferguson (Ontario Blues) Needed to make a statement in front of Canadian supremo Mark Anscombe and he delivered with a sparkling performance. A couple missteps early on were erased with his outstanding attacking play, exploiting any opening left by the Glendale fringe defense. Scored one opportunist try himself and landed four conversions, two from bad angles in difficult windy conditions.

10 – Felipe Berchesi (Uruguay) Returned to action for Los Teros and showed his class with perfect six-from-six shots at goal and multiple line breaks. Distributed well and even put in a couple solid tackles. Honorable mention goes to Benjamín Urdapilleta who tried his best to help Castres beat Toulon in the Top 14 barrages but couldn’t quite do enough despite scoring 17 points with the boot.

11 – Taylor Paris (Agen) His last game in the club’s colors was a memorable one, scoring a try and playing a key role in the big win over Montauban to earn promotion to the Top 14. It will be in Castres colors, however, that he will make his top division debut next season, but not before wearing the Maple Leaf in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

12 – Moisés Duque (Brazil) Once again led the way in the midfield for the Tupis as they surprised Uruguay in Montevideo, staying within one score until the final play of the match. Contributed a try himself and 14 points in all as he showed his class in attack and defense. Ata Malifa was the best of the Raptors backs with a couple huge line breaks and the biggest hit of the game before coming off in the second half.

13 – José Ignacio Larenas (Chile) Lined up on the wing but often plays centre and with too many standouts out wide we’ve pulled him inside one spot. The beneficiary of dominant work from the big men up front but still gets credit for scoring an impressive three tries in the first half against Paraguay in Chile’s best performance of the year by some distance.

14 – Kainoa Lloyd (Ontario Blues) Slides over to the right wing after starring on the left side against the Raptors. Scored two outstanding individual tries to show off his undoubted attacking talents in front of national selectors. With a log-jam on the wing however he could find it tough to get a look-in come June.

15 – Chris Wyles (Saracens) Another winger who we’ve drafted in elsewhere. Closed out his season with a try-scoring performance against Exeter but could only watch as the Chiefs pulled out a miracle at Sandy Park. One does wonder if John Mitchell thought about calling him with Blaine Scully out of the June tests.