Team of the Week

That’s a wrap on the Major League Rugby season, and Super Rugby isn’t far behind now that the play-offs are imminent. At least this week we still have some decent matches to pick from, including the Rugby Americas North Championship decider as well! Tomorrow we name our 2018 MLR Dream Team – including some players who aren’t eligible for our weekly selections.

1 – Olive Kilifi (Seattle Seawolves) Closed out a strong season with another good game both in the scrum and in the loose. His 1-2 combination with Kellen Gordon proved a smash hit on Saturday as the Seawolves again got the best of the scrum in a memorable final with the Raptors.

2 – Agustín Creevy (Jaguares) A tough week to get in for hookers! Zach Fenoglio was excellent in a two-try effort for Glendale, while Seattle’s Ray Barkwill and USA South’s Alex Maughan also found the try-line. Our pick is Creevy who didn’t score but put in a massive effort with ball in hand in the loss to the Bulls.

3 – Kelepi Fifita (Glendale Raptors) Beaten by Kilifi in the scrum but his work rate in the loose is why he keeps getting picked every week. Fifita was strong in defense and very effective in Glendale’s driving maul. It’s rare to see a tighthead do 80 minutes these days in any much much less a Cup, er, Shield Final!

4 – Guido Petti (Jaguares) His tremendous form continues as he carried and tackled with endless energy against the Bulls. Also made a mess of their lineout, stealing three and making a nuisance of himself. The smallest of the Jaguares’ lock options, he has nonetheless been the most impressive this season.

5 – Tyler Ardron (Chiefs) Got back on the winning track against the Brumbies. He showed no signs of difficulty with numerous tackles and linked well on attack. Also his team’s primary lineout option. Seattle’s Cam Polson played well against the Raptors.

6 – Javier Ortega Desio (Jaguares) There were a few options in the back row. We’ve opted for bulk, meaning Ortega Desio shifts from No8 to the blindside flank. He continued his excellent form on attack against the Bulls. Defensively he wasn’t as sharp but made up for it with a good day in the lineout.

7 – Pablo Matera (Jaguares) Two tries and a number of bullocking runs. His quick turnaround from what sounded like a serious shoulder injury has been remarkable. Seattle’s Vili Toluta’u was strong again but loses a few points for his temporary insanity that led to a Glendale try.

8 – Hein Erasmus (USA South Panthers) The Panthers took out the Caymans in style with their venerable captain leading from the front once again. Two tries for the big man contributed to the win and made it back-to-back RAN Championships for his charges. We’ll excuse his yellow card this time!

9 – Gonzalo Bertranou (Jaguares) Arguably his best performance of the season, though sadly in a losing effort. His sniping runs earned him two tries and created two others, and as usual his service was top notch. Has surely cemented the starting role for Los Pumas in the Rugby Championship.

10 – Lucas Baistrocchi (USA South Panthers) With Erasmus the main man up front, it was the Argentine-born Baistrocchi who ran the show in the backs. The talented left-footed kicker landed seven of eight from the tee for 17 points. An All-American at Junior and Collegiate level, MLR teams would be well advised to add this one to their short list of recruits for next season.

11 – Ramiro Moyano (Jaguares) Meeting the challenge set forth by the youngsters Cancelliere and Delguy. Came off his wing looking for work and had countless positive impressions and a half-dozen defenders left for dead. Peter Tiberio also had a fine game for the Seawolves.

12 – Shalom Suniula (Seattle Seawolves) The captain stood tallest to cap what might be the finest season of his career. Put in some smashing hits in defense and kept the line guessing with his footwork and distribution going forward. His inside ball to Sequoyah Burke-Combs for Mat Turner’s try was perfection.

13 – Bryce Campbell (Glendale Raptors) Shifted to outside center when Chad London came off early in the second half. He played like an extra loose forward with his support lines and was on the spot to grab a try that might have been enough to win on another day. Now packs his bags for London and his first crack at European rugby.

14 – Harley Davidson (Glendale Raptors) A knock-on in-goal denied him a score though we would have liked to check with the TMO on that one! Played to his usual offensive standards throughout and also put in a great cover tackle in defense. The Eagles selectors will be keeping tabs on him from now on.

15 – Emiliano Boffelli (Jaguares) Seemed to beat defenders at will with his superb counter attacking. No tries but a handful of offloads and seemingly twice as many yards gained as anyone else. At this rate it might be difficult for Joaquín Tuculet to win his spot back with so many options in the outside backs.