ARC Team of the Week

Round 4 of the Americas Rugby Championship is in the books and the results were rather lopsided. Los Teros, the Eagles, and the Argentina XV all achieved convincing wins and as such only two players in this week’s team come from losing sides. With fatigue setting in after weeks of training it will take extra effort from the players to put their hands up during the final round of action this coming weekend.

1 – Huluholo Mo’ungaloa (USA) Still has work to do in the set piece but his loose play was very good. Scored a try from close range and contributed a few strong carries. A significant improvement from his rather ordinary game against Chile a week before.

2 – Germán Kessler (Uruguay) Fudged his first lineout throw but settled in after that. The fulcrum of the scrum and heavily involved around the pitch. Los Teros were glad to see him back in the lineup after missing the Argentina match.

3 – Santiago Medrano (Argentina XV) Absolutely rock-solid in the scrum on his own ball, and won a tighthead in an impressive set piece display. Content to smash into rucks elsewhere. Jardel Vettorato had a solid game for Brazil again, though he’s likely still wondering why he was yellow carded late in the game.

4 – Ben Landry (USA) Whenever the Eagles needed some go-forward the big man from Wisconsin was there. Didn’t bust many but made it over the gainline every time and created quick ball for the backs to run onto. Also grabbed a couple lineouts at the front.

5 – Ignacio Larrague (Argentina XV) Once again he imposed his physicality at the set piece and the breakdown. Tackled well and showed surprising pace to support a line break and capture more territory. Nick Civetta played well but discipline let him down, particularly on his yellow card offense.

6 – Mariano Romanini (Argentina XV) Just one of numerous loose forwards knocking on the door for Jaguares selection. Carried very strongly and impressed as a link man. It was great to see Anton Petrowitsch back in Chilean colors, though he still has another gear to reach this weekend.

7 – Hanco Germishuys (USA) Never in doubt. Two tries and it looked like a third until the replay revealed a knock-on in the buildup. At only 21 Germishuys is already a wrecking ball and is now very much in the mix for a spot in the June test side.

8 – Manuel Diana (Uruguay) Not a bad day at the office for Alejandro Nieto’s understudy. Three tries, one from a maul and two on the back of the scrum. It was his carrying elsewhere that puts him in the side. Esteban Meneses will have been very pleased with what he saw from the youngster.

9 – Domingo Saavedra (Chile) Speaking of youth, the 20-year-old turned some heads in only his second test start, and did so in a team that was badly outmatched against a rampant Teros side. Accurate service, a willingness to take on the line, and some nifty skills including a chip over the top that would have been a try had it been a winger running onto the ball instead of an aging loose forward.

10 – Will Magie (USA) A better week for flyhalves and a bit of a dilemma with Lucas Mensa impressing for Argentina with his strong running game. Magie distributed well and recovered from a wonky first shot at goal to land three good conversions. Can he take it one step further against Uruguay this weekend?

11 – Federico Favaro (Uruguay) His first match for the Teros in 2018 was a good one. Reminded the selectors of his speed and footwork. Two tries and one conversion are a good return and one that will give Meneses pause for thought when considering his team to face the Eagles.

12 – Joaquín Prada (Uruguay) Played at outside center but he could not be left out after his outstanding performance. He made multiple line breaks using both his strength and footwork to beat defenders almost at will. What a treat to have Juan Manuel Cat and Prada fighting for a spot in the senior side.

13 – Santiago Resino (Argentina XV) Could not be denied this week. Outclassed his opposition in every department. Scored two tries himself and played a hand in a couple others. Not the biggest or fastest but he looks a very solid player, arguably the find of the ARC for the Argentines.

14 – Kainoa Lloyd (Canada) Only played the last half-hour after coming in as an impact sub but boy did he make an impact. Looked to be playing at a different speed to his teammates, tearing through the line with ball in hand and showing tremendous determination to deny Rodrigo Etchart a certain try. Has surely earned himself a starting role for this coming weekend.

15 – Mike Te’o (USA) Another close call with Juan Cruz Mallía enjoying another strong game for Argentina. Te’o has crept under the radar during the tournament but more for lack of opportunity rather than effort. Grabbed his second try of the ARC against Brazil and was a menace with every touch of the ball.