Team of the Week

It was a great week of rugby but also a massively busy one, with seven games involving Americas teams requiring careful several hours of scrutiny. Add to that a plethora of games played earlier this week and it’s been a challenge to get all caught up! We’ve just about made it in time for yet another weekend filled to the brim with rugby action. Next week’s team will need to consider even more games than last week!

1 – Lucas Noguera Paz (Argentina) Showed no signs of trouble in the scrum despite giving up 25kg to the enormous Harry Williams. Maintained a high work rate right throughout his 70 minutes on the pitch. Big Joe Taufete’e sure looked handy when he entered the game for the USA, but why their best hooker was playing prop and not even starting at that is a question only John Mitchell can answer.

2 – Yan Rosetti (Brazil) Despite the miraculous ending it wasn’t a great match for the Tupis, but they can attribute much of their victory to their level-headed captain. Rosetti would be dismissed as too small by many countries but he is proving his worth at the front of the Brazilian pack.

3 – Juan Echeverría (Uruguay) Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro had a positive impact when he came on as second-half sub. Echeverría did it from the start for Los Teros, dominating the scrum and putting his body on the line on the fringes.

4 – Matías Alemanno (Argentina) Again asked to shoulder an increased workload with Tomás Lavanini still short of match fitness. Didn’t feature much with ball in hand but gave a rugged performance clearing the breakdown to allow his speedier mates to do the rest.

5 – Ignacio Larrague (Argentina XV) Provided all the muscle up front with some storming runs and heavy tackles in the tight-loose. Not a star athlete but a huge man who invariably wins the collisions.

6 – Francisco Gorrissen (Argentina XV) Tireless worker who is always in support going forward and always on his feet in defense. Showed his pace with an early try and seemed to be involved in everything positive during a turbulent match.

7 – Javier Ortega Desio (Argentina) His flanker partner Pablo Matera showed up more in the tackle and running stats but it was Ortega Desio who had some critical interventions. Stole two lineouts, made a try-saving cover tackle early, and was a primary ball winner on the restarts.

8 – Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Argentina) Didn’t get much purchase going forward but the venerable warrior defended superbly and made good decisions with ball in hand. There’s still some life left in those old legs, but how much more?

9 – Ryan Gonsalves (Guyana) A strong performance from their goal-kicking halfback led Guyana past a determined Trinidad & Tobago side in Georgetown. Two conversions and good skills all-around helped his team book their spot in the Rugby Americas North final.

10 – Germán Albanell (Uruguay) Shane O’Leary gets some credit for coming through his tumultuous first cap with a passing grade but it’s hard to justify picking a goal kicker from a team that was shut out. Albanell played very well for Los Teros, kicking his goals and performing his role admirably until being forced off with a broken jaw in the 50th minute against Emerging Italy.

11 – Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina) It was not a surprise to see the hugely exciting prospect excel in his test debut. Just eight minutes in he had his first try in the books. What was a surprise was Daniel Hourcade taking him out of the game. One of a few bizarre replacements made by the Pumas coach. Avery Corbin was also in top form for Guyana with two tries to his name.

12 – Jerónimo de la Fuente (Argentina) A couple unfortunate handling errors that were partly a result of bad passes but his hard-line running caused big problems for the English defense and earned him a try early in the second half. Offers a refreshing contrast to the traditional 2nd 5/8 style inside center that Hourcade has until now preferred.

13 – Juan Cappiello (Argentina XV) The best back on the field, powerful and direct but with a good appreciation of space. Scored two tries against Russia, one an excellent solo effort from a quick tap that should have spurred his less impressive teammates to victory.

14 – Mike Te’o (USA) If we’re honest there wasn’t much to cheer about from an Eagles perspective but the razzle dazzle from Te’o was at least something. Doesn’t quite seem happy on the wing, however, and a return to fullback looks on the cards.

15 – Joaquín Tuculet (Argentina) Excellent on the counter attack, he landed a score just moments after de la Fuente. Challenged the English defense at every opportunity.