Team of the Week

What an interesting weekend! With Europe’s gaze squarely on the European finals our selections have come entirely from within the Americas this week – specifically via Major League Rugby and the Sudamericano 6 Naciones ‘A’.

Even those results, however, have left selection hazy. Brazil earned a famous win but were badly outplayed in the first half. Chile defeated Uruguay but were losing until the final minutes. Utah were the only convincing team over the course of 80 minutes in MLR. It makes for an eclectic team this week!

1 – Lucas Abud (Brazil) The Tupis won a famous victory against the Argentina XV – their first ever against an Argentine senior side – and a big part of that was from the work done by the forwards. Abud helped set the platform and drove straight through his opposite for a stunning pushover try in the second half.

2 – Jorge Álvarez (Colombia) Two tries from the lively hooker, one from a driving maul and another from a lineout move. He was prominent in the loose and also performed well in the set piece. Zach Fenoglio had a strong game for Glendale, once again splitting his time between flanker and the front row.

3 – Angus MacLellan (Utah Warriors) The Warriors are thanking their lucky stars that the Eagles selectors have left out MacLellan – for now at least. It was another 80 minute effort in the scrum and his usual work rate in the loose as Utah earned their first ever MLR victory.

4 – Matt Jensen (Utah Warriors) Key to the win was disrupting Austin’s throw-in and Jensen played a big role there. It wasn’t just his set piece work, however. The big fella had one memorable line break and produced a strong performance all around.

5 – Pablo Huete (Chile) Los Cóndores weren’t perfect – at times it felt like they were just hanging in there but they came good in the end. One of reasons they stayed in the game was Huete’s presence at the set piece and in the tight-loose. He ended up scoring the try to tie the game at full-time with the conversion sealing the win.

6 – João Luiz da Ros (Brazil) A little sentimental perhaps, but don’t let that get in the way of one more memorable performance. What a way for ‘Ige’ to close out his international career. He grabbed a try himself and his quick tap at the death set up Arthur Bergo for the match-winner. An inspired effort from one of Brazil’s all-time greatest players.

7 – Matt Hughston (New Orleans Gold) The Gold have their work cut out for them. Two-thirds of their star loose forward trio are now out for the season leaving Hughston as the last man standing. He did his best to drag his team along against Seattle and his late try at least secured a bonus point and made for a nervous ending. His commitment to the team was visually evident as he left the field with tape wrapped around his head and one eye completely covered.

8 – Leonardo Glizt (Paraguay) A powerful ball carrier who brings a bit of x-factor to the Yakarés forwards. He popped up repeatedly in the wide spaces to give Colombia problems and his try inspired the comeback in a memorable win. One of the standout players in the new South American competition.

9 – Shaun Davies (Glendale Raptors) The Raptors were not at their best against San Diego and will consider themselves a little fortunate to come away with the win. Their captain was in the middle of everything, almost willing them to win when the mistakes kept disrupting their progress.

10 – Sergio Alvarenga (Paraguay) Los Yakarés needed something special down 16 points in the first half. His 10-point salvo in a two-minute span just after the break all but erased the gap. Alvarenga’s try showed his pace and both his passing and kicking were absolutely vital to the win in Asunción.

11 – Seth Halliman (Glendale Raptors) Danced his way through San Diego tacklers on more than one occasion including an outstanding individual try in the second half. After missing the entire preseason he looks to be reaching top form. Blaine Scully’s timely score for Cardiff Blues in the Challenge Cup final earns him honorable mention.

12 – Paul Lasike (Utah Warriors) Austin’s defense was damn glad to see him take a rest at the hour mark, though his replacement did seem a little early given the result wasn’t quite a done deal. Lasike was a wrecking ball against the Elite, scoring once and attracting defenders with every carry. They’ll have to deal with him again in just a couple more weeks.

13 – Carlos Bareiro (Paraguay) Didn’t get on the scoreboard, what looked like a try ruled a knock-on, but he was immense for the Yakarés. His footwork and line breaks played a direct role in all three tries for his team, the offload to Alvarenga was a thing of beauty.

14 – Arley Urrutia (Colombia) A ball of lightning on the Tucanes wing. His pace is almost surreal. He scored two highlight-reel tries in a span of five minutes against Paraguay. The first chasing a kick ahead and the second a sensational 60 meter effort that saw him beat his opposite on the outside, step inside the next man, and outstrip the cover. A joy to watch.

15 – Dylan Audsley (San Diego Legion) It wasn’t the sharpest game in terms of execution but it sure was exciting. Audsley’s kicking and overall play at the back was a real positive for the Legion but his 12 points weren’t quite enough to get the win. Has proved a classy operator a fullback in the absence of Mike Te’o.