Team of the Week

With the Americas Rugby Championship over it’s back to our regularly scheduled programming. Where last week saw no Argentines selected, this week is a complete turnaround in fortunes with only two North Americans stopping the side from being a whitewash. It should be noted that the club schedule limited our options with only a handful of games in the UK and one exhibition fixture stateside for consideration.

1 – Eric Fry (Vannes) His first start since October was a good one. Lasted over an hour and performed well in all of his core roles. His opposite Carlos Muzzio got a try for Mont-de-Marsan but Vannes were the big winners and Fry was a key part of the pack that set the platform.

2 – Agustín Creevy (Jaguares) Honorable mention to Canadian international Benoît Pifféro who played a strong role in Blagnac’s one-sided win over Bagnères. Creevy is king once more, however, as he rolled through the Waratahs with a typical all-action performance. Dynamic with ball in hand and won at least two turnovers, making a mess of the breakdown whenever possible.

3 – Ramiro Herrera (Stade Français) Earned himself a spot in the Top 14 weekly selection with a powerful if somewhat truncated effort against Castres. Came off just a few minutes into the second half but by then had stamped his authority with a few carries into traffic and a couple thumping tackles on the fringes.

4 – Matías Alemanno (Jaguares) Looks to be in very good physical condition this season having shed a bit of excess weight. Followed up on a line break on the opening kickoff to put Boffelli into the clear. Carried well, excellent in defense, and a steady lineout target.

5 – Javier Lagioiosa (Vannes) The veteran has been in good form since his return from injury and once again controlled the lineouts. He also crossed the line for a second half try in the win over Stade Montois. Pumitas graduate Ignacio Calas played well and scored for La Tablada against Los Tarcos.

6 – Marcos Kremer (Jaguares) An aggressive, muscular performance that saw him come away as the game’s leading tackler. Several of those stopped Waratahs runners dead in their tracks. Also contributed a handful of effective carries. Martín Chiappesoni had a try-scoring effort in a losing cause for Dax, who now look in real danger of being relegated.

7 – Facundo Isa (Toulon) Just another day in the life. Numerous carries, territory gained, and a dozen-odd tackles. Two tries scored were the least impressive part of his game in the smashing win over Agen.

8 – Javier Ortega Desio (Jaguares) A rare start at the back of the scrum and he did not look at all out of place. Broke clear on the opening kickoff to create Boffelli’s first try and carried with purpose throughout. Linked well and was the primary target at the lineout. Rodrigo Bruni was also a notable, scoring a try for San Luis in the big win over Tala.

9 – Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares) Didn’t challenge the fringes much but didn’t have to. Delivered crisp and clean service to keep his team on the front foot. Also very keen in defense with a couple excellent cover tackles. Setting down the challenge for the incumbents.

10 – Domingo Miotti (Tucumán LT) We are spoiled for choice this week with numerous options – Nicolás Sánchez for the Jaguares and Felipe Campodónico of San Luis were particularly notable. Miotti didn’t score the points of the other two but his tactical awareness was superb as he led his team to a narrow win over a formidable CUBA side spearheaded by Argentina XV starter Juan Cruz González.

11 – Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs) Is there any team with a better recruitment record than the Chiefs? Cordero has fit in seamlessly and was the best player on the pitch in the win over Newcastle, creating one try and stepping past defenders at will. The question now is will Exeter get to keep him?

12 – Santiago González Iglesias (Jaguares) A very good performance as the fulcrum of the attack. His quick and flat passing put players into space, not least Boffelli for his second and the wonderful try scored by Tuculet. Took the ball on strongly when needed and defended well.

13 – Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares) Played on the wing but we’ve made no secret of our desire to see him shifted to the midfield and his performance against the Waratahs only strengthened the argument. Came infield looking for work on several occasions and also made some strong tackles. That was after scoring two tries in quick succession and nearly claiming a hat-trick inside the opening quarter.

14 – Harley Davidson (Glendale Raptors) Honorable mention to Gonzalo Molina who slipped in a pair of tries for Natación y Gimnasia. Our choice this week was Man of the Match for the Raptors as they overwhelmed NOLA at Infinity Park. Two tries and an impressive overall display for the man with the most marketable name in Major League Rugby.

15 – Joaquín Tuculet (Jaguares) We could have selected Cordero here, and Juan Bautista Daireaux was also a standout with two tries against a powerhouse Pucará side. We’ll take Tuculet this time for his classy performance against the Waratahs which included a cracking score from a clean line break and a few subtle interjections that helped his team get back on the winning side at last.