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Another victory for the Jaguares certainly caught our eye and there was a full slate of Major League Rugby matches to consider. Then, of course, there were the big games in Europe, an English Premiership final and the Top 14 Semi Finals. Overall there was enough out there to put together a respectable side this week while still leaving out a few unlucky names.
1 – Alex Tucci (Utah Warriors) Typically we look for set piece dominance from the front row first and foremost but with no obvious eligible candidates this week we switched our criteria to impact in the loose – inspired by the Barbarians perhaps? Tucci is still learning the wicked ways of proppery but in the loose he has certainly made his mark with his powerful running game and offloading ability. He helped spark the Warriors to victory over the SaberCats on Saturday.
2 – Lindsey Stevens (Houston SaberCats) We liked his work rate in the loose where he is like an extra flanker around the pitch. Newly revealed as Canadian-eligible, the selectors will be keeping an eye on the 22-year-old with most senior options now north of 30. Another promising youngster Steve Ng showed well in 80 minutes for the Canada Selects against the Arrows.
3 – Juan Figallo (Saracens) Didn’t get the start but came on early in the second half and made an impact, particularly in defense. Claimed his third Premiership title against Exeter and will now enjoy a break with the Pumas happy to keep selections in-country for the June test series.
4 – Matt Jensen (Utah Warriors) Another strong outing both in the lineout and the loose. He showed his mobility with a line break and try in the first half. The Eagles have a strong pool of locks to choose from, so much so that he is merely on standby for June. Guido Petti also impressed for the Jaguares.
5 – Rodrigo Capó Ortega (Castres) Came on earlier than expected with a first half injury necessitating his arrival from the bench. Delivered with a number of powerful carries against an imposing Racing 92 defense, and will now lead his team to the Top 14 Final. Austin Elite’s win came in large part due to their excellent second row with US-eligible Victor Comptat one half of the equation.
6 – Eric Duechle (Seattle Seawolves) It was very tempting to pick Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe for sentimental reasons but the great man would be the first to insist that players should be rewarded for good form in meaningful fixtures. Duechle got his first start for the Seawolves against New Orleans and scored a memorable try in the opening minutes. After a good shift on the flank he switched to the engine room before getting a rest with job done as the clock wound down to full time.
7 – Hanco Germishuys (Austin Elite) Part of an all-South African back row unit that got the better of San Diego in a comprehensive victory at Round Rock. ‘The Terminator’ was at his ball-carrying best once again and notched his sixth try of the MLR season.
8 – Javier Ortega Desio (Jaguares) Has looked very much at home since moving from the flank to No8, so much so that it seems odd he wasn’t tried there before. Carried well in the win over the Sharks and was a strong secondary lineout target behind Guido Petti.
9 – Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares) We had to include at least one of the starting halfbacks for the Jags and this week it’s Bertranou who gets the nod. Looks to have leap-frogged Martín Landajo in the pecking order with Tomás Cubelli just coming back into full fitness. Bertranou’s distribution was once again top drawer against the Sharks. Phil Mack will have to settle for honorable mention this week after his Seawolves thumped the Gold.
10 – Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres) Nicolás Sánchez can’t feel too hard done by with Bertranou’s inclusion. He was excellent once again for the Jaguares but so was Urdapilleta for Castres. In terms of match importance the Top 14 Semi Final trumps a regular season Super Rugby match. If Daniel Hourcade doesn’t want overseas players for June he might want to start thinking about the likes of Urdapilleta for the Rugby Championship. Gordon McRorie was the dominant player on the field for the Canada Selects in their win over the Ontario Arrows, starting at flyhalf and switching to scrumhalf later in the game.
11 – Chris Wyles (Saracens) Make it four Premiership titles for the USA’s greatest European export. That claim is hard to argue now after yet another stellar season with Saracens. He brought down the curtains on his magnificent career with two tries against Exeter. A champion to the end.
12 – Shalom Suniula (Seattle Seawolves) Came back into the squad after a week off and provided a real spark in the midfield alongside Willy Rasileka. A couple cracking tackles in defense were just as impressive as his decision making going forward.
13 – Brock Staller (Seattle Seawolves) Actually played on the wing but with so many outside backs in contention this week we’re drafting him into a position he’s played at test level. One yellow card aside he was in top form, scoring 14 points within minutes of kickoff and finishing with 25 including seven of eight from the tee.
14 – Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares) Three tries in a brilliant performance that saw him tear up and down the pitch, leaving the Sharks defense in tatters. Argentina’s wing stocks are the envy of the world rugby now. Once of those excluded from the June squad – Juan Imhoff – was a standout for Racing 92 against Castres.
15 – Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares) As good a stand-in as one could hope to have for the injured Joaquín Tuculet. Boffelli seems comfortable anywhere on the pitch, just give him the ball and watch him make things happen. Yet another class outing from a player fast approaching world class territory – if he’s not already there.
