Team of the Week

This week we had a fine game in Colonia to provide some options as Uruguay very nearly got the best of the Argentina XV in the Sudamérica Rugby Cup final. The senior Pumas were no match for New Zealand and contribute only two players, while a handful of others come from Europe.

1 – Mateo Sanguinetti (Uruguay) Continues to build up his reputation as one of the best props in South America. Not a mass monster like most modern props, but he is effective in the scrum and excellent around the pitch.

2 – Santiago Socino (Newcastle) Two starts, two thumbs up for the top success story thus far in the new Premiership season. Showed his wide array of skills in the dominant win over London Irish. Carried, linked well, and tackled his way into another weekly selection.

3 – Mario Sagario (Uruguay) Looks to have enough in the tank for one more World Cup run. Strong in the scrum and prominent in the tight-loose. Not ready to give up his spot to Juan Echeverría just yet.

4 – Guido Petti (Argentina) The smallest lock in the Rugby Championship continues to find ways to get the job done. His mobility gets him to places other second rows can’t reach and pure athleticism allows him to get up quickly in the lineout. A decent effort in a team that looks very much out of sorts at the moment.

5 – Jerónimo Ureta (Argentina XV) This spot could have gone to his opposite Ignacio Dotti but the 20-year-old from Newman deserves his place after helping his team escape an historic loss. Like Petti he is smaller than most test locks but makes up for it with an engine that never seems to stop.

6 – Pablo Matera (Argentina) The Pumas’ best player against the All Blacks. Gave as much as he could, winning three turnovers in defense. Deserves a break but it looks like he’ll be full-on until December.

7 – Lautaro Bavaro (Argentina XV) Doesn’t win the accolades of his teammates despite being the captain and a constant presence across the field. His offload from the deck kept an attacking move alive late in the game for a vital score in the win over Los Teros.

8 – Santiago Montagner (Argentina XV) Once again showed what an explosive athlete he is as he burst through the line and stepped the last defender to score a cracking in individual try. When will he get his chance with the senior side?

9 – Santiago Arata (Uruguay) Continues to press his claims as the best scrumhalf available to Los Teros. A constant threat to the defense with his electric pace giving him a try from a quick tap. Agustín Ormaechea has a fight on his hands.

10 – Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres) It was impossible to choose between he an AJ MacGinty so we compromised by picking them both. Urdapilleta will claim the preferred No 10 shirt for guiding Castres to victory over Clermont and contributing 19 points with the boot.

11 – Chris Wyles (Saracens) Two tries against Worcester and a strong game defensively secures his place in the team. At 34 years old he remains a quality performer in a position often dominated by men 10 years younger.

12 – Juan Pablo Socino (Newcastle) The other Socino brother won’t be left out, in fact getting the edge this week with a top class performance in the midfield. Scored one try and consistently threatened the gainline, varying between running and passing to keep the defense guessing.

13 – Juan Manuel Cat (Uruguay) In a performance that will raise Canadian eyebrows ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers, the 21-year-old was outstanding against Argentina in all facets. His 18 points with the boot very nearly led his team to an upset win over Argentina.

14 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Once again used at fullback but we’ll have him on the wing in our side. Superb counter-attacking skills and one try in the shock defeat to Lyon. The freedom of fullback seems to make him even more effective with the entire field in front of him and options in all directions.

15 – AJ MacGinty (Sale) Had to fit in somewhere so it’s fullback this week, even though we’re not sure he’s ever started a top class game in the position. Has begun the Premiership season in top form and this past weekend led the Sharks to a blowout win over Gloucester with the Eagles flyhalf landing seven kicks at goal for a total of 15 points.