Team of the Week

It was back to domestic rugby this week and really only two competitions got our attention – Major League Rugby and Super Rugby. Los Jaguares won their 7th straight match while state-side saw two entertaining and decisive Semi Finals.

1 – Olive Kilifi (Seattle Seawolves) Ten weeks later and wouldn’t you know it, the result was the same. The Seawolves monstered the Legion in the scrum with Kilifi doing his part to soften them up before the cavalry arrived. Managed to get in a couple big tackles and showed nice hands on one attacking move.

2 – Agustín Creevy (Jaguares) After a poor game for Los Pumas he was back to his usual self against the Stormers. Was it intentional? We’ll never know. He carried strongly and was a menace at the breakdown winning at least three turnovers.

3 – Angus MacLellan (Utah Warriors) The Warriors couldn’t get much purchase from the Raptors but they did do a job in the set piece. MacLellan did a number on his opposite with Big Maka on the other side an immovable object. Ran hard and somehow lasted all 80 minutes in a Semi Final.

4 – Guido Petti (Jaguares) A marvelous performance, maybe his best of the season. Outstanding with ball in hand, racing away for a try in the first half. His lineout work was even better. Pinched four throws as the Jaguares beat the Stormers for the first time.

5 – Cam Dolan (San Diego Legion) Forced to play lock as needs must and probably didn’t enjoy himself in the scrum. At the lineout it was a different story. The Seawolves got next to no clean ball when they did win it the hand of Dolan simply reached in and plucked the ball from their grasp on two occasions. A strong all-around effort but it wasn’t enough to get his team through to the final.

6 – Devin Short (San Diego Legion) A young man with a bright future, he was everywhere against the Seawolves. When Tony Lamborn went off he did his best to pick up the slack. Determined with ball in hand and tireless in his pursuit on defense. One to watch next season.

7 – Vili Toluta’u (Seattle Seawolves) May have seemed a little quiet without his usual barnstorming runs and hordes of turnovers, but he was every bit as good as advertised. A limpet at the breakdown, it never took less than two Legion players to clear him off. Slowed down the ball incessantly and damn near lasted the whole match.

8 – David Tameilau (Utah Warriors) Saved his best MLR performance for last. Smashed through tacklers with some rampaging carries including one that gave him a try. Also put in a couple bone-rattling hits. Will now pack his backs for Glasgow with a place in the World Cup squad very much within his grasp.

9 – Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares) The toughest decision this week with Shaun Davies outstanding for the Raptors. Bertranou get the call for another impressive performance for Los Jaguares. It’s not just his distribution. His box kicks were spot on and gave his team vital territory under pressure.

10 – Peter Smith (Seattle Seawolves) Asked to step in and steer the ship with his boot, his team couldn’t have asked for any more. Continued his astounding goal kicking record with a perfect six-from-six and kicked from hand superbly as well, his penalty clearances gaining huge amounts of territory. Also put his body on the line in defense. Eagles-eligible on residency, there is growing list of classy players at the No10 position in the USA.

11 – Peter Tiberio (Seattle Seawolves) His interception for a try will have been the toast of the evening but there was much to celebrate. Few wingers chase down kicks with as much commitment, with one tackle in particular stopping the counter-attack dead. Jinked and jived with ball in hand.

12 – Shalom Suniula (Seattle Seawolves) The skipper made a welcome return after missing the previous game and his presence was felt on both sides of the ball. A shuddering tackle shut down one Legion attack, and he showed a bit of class to step inside the defense and skip through under the posts for a try.

13 – Chad London (Glendale Raptors) Bryce Campbell gets more of the plaudits these days but London is a key cog in the Raptors machine, particularly in defense. On Saturday he helped not only to mitigate the destructive Paul Lasike but also shut down the outside ball with Utah’s lethal back three given few opportunities to work in space.

14 – Mika Kruse (Glendale Raptors) Played on the left wing but we’ve drafted him to the right. Like Short, another set for stardom. Kruse was electric against the Warriors, combining with Sam Figg for an early score wreaking havoc with every touch of the ball.

15 – Bautista Delguy (Jaguares) We needed to fit in all three wingers so Delguy moves to fullback in our team. Not a problem, it’s arguably his best position after all. His sensational debut season continued against the Stormers with another display of bamboozling footwork that left half their side for dead.