2017 ARN Dream Team

With two weekends of international rugby already in the books for 2018 it’s time to revisit our best of 2017. The first of five awards still to come is our 2017 ARN Dream Team, a select XV made up our picks for the best Americas players over the course of the calendar year.

While performance in test rugby is given preference, those who did not make an international appearance in 2017 are not excluded from consideration. In fact four players who showed compelling form with their professional club sides have been included in this year’s team, all of whom we believe would make an impact at international level were they available and selected for their respective nations.

It’s important to note that this selection is based entirely on form, not on historic achievement. There are many outstanding players absent who, at their best, could rightfully be considered in an ‘Americas XV’. The players chosen below performed at a high level throughout 2017 and have thus earned their place in the ARN Dream Team.

1 – Mateo Sanguinetti (Los Cuervos & Uruguay) Perhaps a surprise choice given his amateur status but a unanimous selection in discussions. The 25-year-old won 13 caps as a starter for Los Teros in 2017, missing only the Nations Cup match against Emerging Italy. Sanguinetti is a throwback to a bygone era, one of the lightest front line props in the Americas who relies on work rate and technique rather than brute force. A plethora if injuries to other possible contenders opened the door for the man from Los Cuervos, but his outstanding efforts over the course of the year have earned our highest admiration.

2 – Agustín Creevy (Jaguares & Argentina) Still without equal in the Americas and a world class hooker who commands respect from any opponent. Creevy started all 12 of Argentina’s test matches in 2017 and while his team struggled badly, he was consistently among their best. This is especially impressive given he started all but one match for Los Jaguares in Super Rugby. Given the massive toll this must take on his body it’s amazing he hasn’t broken down yet, and fast approaching his 33rd birthday there are hints that he may be slowing down a step. His natural successor Julián Montoya continues to bide his time though it appears Creevy will carry on through the 2019 World Cup before calling it a day.

3 – Francisco Gómez Kodela (Lyon) Unavailable to the Pumas on account of his exile status and unwanted since 2013, the 32-year-old remains one of the most consistent scrum operators in Europe. He enjoyed a fine year in 2017, earning multiple Top 14 weekly selections. All this while the Pumas scrum was wavering badly. Other options across the Americas seemed to be injured, out of form, or past their best. A new generation of props is yet to make the break from acceptable to exceptional.

4 – Matías Alemanno (Jaguares & Argentina) Perhaps the unsung hero of the Pumas pack. A big body who fits in where required, be it on the right side beside the lighter Guido Petti or on the left of the giant Tomás Lavanini. It was Petti who stood out in Super Rugby but his form did not translate to the test season, while Lavanini struggled with both fitness and discipline. Nick Civetta enjoyed a breakthrough year with the Eagles and Evan Olmstead remains one of Canada’s best forwards. We’ve opted for Alemanno for his reliability both with the Jaguares and the Pumas.

5 – Rodrigo Capó Ortega (Castres) The old warhorse marched on in 2017, as much a pillar of strength in the Castres pack as he has been for the last 15 years. Despite his bulk he wins his fair share of possession at the front of the lineout and rarely if ever loses a collision in the loose. An anchor in the scrum and a physical force in the ruck and maul. The sight of him wearing a Teros jersey once again in recent weeks was a rare treat. At 37 he remains at the height of his powers and with just 20 months between now and RWC 2019, here’s hoping he holds on just a little bit longer.

6 – Pablo Matera (Jaguares & Argentina) Highly rated as a junior, at 24 years of age Matera has lived up to his promise. Injuries plagued the beginning of his senior career but he has now settled into his role as chief destroyer for both the Jaguares and Los Pumas. More often found on the blindside flank these days but used as openside to accommodate Marcos Kremer on the November tour, whichever side he starts on the result is the same. Already a punishing tackler and a menace at the breakdown, he has increased his ball carrying role following the departure of back row mate Facundo Isa to France. Newly appointed as captain of the Jaguares, Matera looks a future Pumas captain in waiting.

7 – Anton Petrowitsch (AA Coimbra & Chile) A surprise perhaps, but not to those who have observed his outstanding performances for Los Cóndores in the Americas Rugby Championship, the South American Championship, and the year-end tour. Indeed he has also been a presence with the Cóndores Sevens side. ‘The Pitbull’ has not earned his nickname through appearance, rather his tireless combativeness and impact which belies his rangy physique. Chile’s most influential player deserves a chance to test himself at the heights of European rugby. Others in contention included Tomás Lezana and Matt Heaton, but the claims of Petrowitsch could not be ignored.

8 – Facundo Isa (Lyon / Toulon) Sans doubt, as they say in France. One need only look at the gaping whole left in the Jaguares and Pumas lineups to understand his importance. The most prolific ball carrier in the Americas signed for Toulon and enjoyed a brief stay on Lyon on the way. For both he was simply immense, providing exactly the kind of go-forward they had hoped for. Meanwhile Argentine fans were left cursing a failed selection policy. With any luck Isa will be back on the international stage in 2018.

9 – Santiago Arata (Old Christians & Uruguay) A second amateur, though that status is certain to disappear now that Los Teros have earned their spot in Japan 2019. Arata overtook his mentor Agustín Ormaechea as first choice for his country in 2017, no small feat considering the class of his elder. His speed off the mark is unmatched in the Americas, and his tactical kicking skills have improved such that he cannot be left out of the lineup. Argentina have talent coming through such as Gonzalo Bertranou and Sebastián Cancelliere, the latter by our reckoning a star in the making, but 2017 unquestionably belonged to Arata.

10 – AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks & USA) It wasn’t a spectacular year for those in the pivot position across the Americas. Most contenders had dips in form or periods of inactivity. Across the Atlantic there was a stern challenge put forth by Castres starter Benjamín Urdapilleta, another Argentine exile prevented from challenging an out-of-sorts Nicolás Sánchez. MacGinty caught our eye and ultimately earned our vote for his game-changing presence for both club and country. The past year saw him find his groove with Sale with his end-of-year form earning plaudits across the Premiership. In the test arena he again proved his class leading the Eagles to Americas 1 glory over Canada and nearly upsetting Georgia in Tbilisi. There is room to grow in this position heading into 2018, with a number of players looking to raise their standards to match those of the Eagles talisman.

11 – Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares & Argentina) Somewhat of a surprise choice as the top Pumas player ahead of Matera by the Argentine press, Boffelli certainly earned his nomination and was a relatively straightforward selection for our year-end XV. It was just a matter of fitness before he forced his way into the team and once there he quickly established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet. He ticks virtually every box with the only question perhaps where he is best suited in the long-term. We see his future at outside center, where his pace and offloading would be highly effective. Whether the Argentine selectors agree is another matter.

12 – Juan Pablo Socino (Newcastle Falcons) Jerónimo de la Fuente, Moisés Duque, Bryce Campbell, Andrés Vilaseca. These were among the names considered at a position that required some discussion. When it came decision time none stood above Socino. With the body of a crash ball merchant and the skills of a halfback, the 29-year-old is an ideal protagonist at the inside center role who has been one of the key contributors in the rise of the Falcons. Our choice for 2017 Domestic Player of the Year simply outperformed all of his international competition.

13 – Juan Manuel Cat (Old Boys & Uruguay) Make it three amateurs in our Americas XV. Like the others his physical stature is not imposing, and despite having room to grow he will never approach the size of the mass monsters that seem to be preferred in modern Tier 1 backlines. What the 21-year-old does have is talent and courage. A flyhalf at age-grade level, his ability to spot a gap and speed off the mark makes him a very dangerous attacker. He also uses that speed to close down attackers with his low tackling style effective in bringing larger opponents to ground quickly. Cat is also a classy goal kicker who nearly kicked Los Teros to victory over the Argentina XV in the Sudamérica Rugby Cup final. He will feature in Uruguay’s backline for a long time to come.

14 – Taylor Paris (Agen / Castres & Canada) More comfortable in the No 11 jersey but Boffelli won the coin toss so it’s to the right wing for the Canadian flyer. It’s rare to find a winger that makes such an impact not just with ball in hand but across the field. Incredibly competitive and ferociously committed, whether chasing a kickoff or clearing a ruck Paris does what is required and does it to his utmost ability each and every time. Combined with his game breaking speed and penchant for being in the right place at the right time and you can see why Canada is a different team with him on the pitch.

15 – Joaquín Tuculet (Jaguares & Argentina) A close call, and probably closer than we expected it to be heading into 2017. Tuculet is one of Argentina’s most consistent and professional performers who even when off his best is a first class fullback. His steadying influence at the back has seen him elevated to a vice-captaincy role with Jaguares for the upcoming season, a recognition of his high regard among his peers. Knocking on the door, however, is Uruguay’s electric Rodrigo Silva. The 25-year-old enjoyed his finest year to date and was simply outstanding for Los Teros, showing exquisite footballing skills and audacious attacking flair. Silva will be among several exciting fullbacks across the Americas looking to unseat Tuculet in 2018.