Team of the Week

After a week’s hiatus our select side returns in something of a special edition. The break wasn’t planned, rather it was forced. Poor form at the Summer Cup, a URBA Top 12 decimated by rain, and just one game in the Canadian Rugby Championship to watch on tape delay. As a result we opted to give everyone an extra week to impress, so this week’s selection is made up of players from both rounds of the Summer Cup, the CRC, and two weeks of URBA Top 12 action.

1 – Francisco Ferronato (Belgrano) An absurdly good player at domestic level, it seems likely that the 30-year-old will not win a test cap which seems a shame. He captained Belgrano to wins over Newman and Lomas over the past two weekends, scoring one try in the first match and three in the second.

2 – Gastón Giménez (San Luis) Slogged through torrential rain to score a try in the one-point loss to Hindú, then led the charge with an 80-minute effort against CUBA this past weekend. A mention for Noah Barker, the Canada prop who filled in at hooker for the Bears in both of their matches.

3 – Tom Dolezel (Ontario Blues) The Blues were surprisingly dominated in the scrum in Montreal. That changed dramatically in Burlington with the return of Big Tom, a mountain of a man who might have won many more than his 16 test caps were it not for injuries.

4 – Luiz Vieira (Brazil) Os Tupis missed their France-based lock badly in the Americas Rugby Championship. ‘Monstro’ returned to the side to great affect in the Summer Cup, putting in a typically muscular performance in the win over the Georgia XV. Also proved a significant factor at the lineout not least in defense.

5 – Riley Fahlman (Prairie Wolf Pack) Second rows of genuine international size are badly lacking in Canadian rugby. Still a relative newcomer to representative rugby, Fahlman’s fitness is improving and it showed against the Bears as he nearly reached double-digits in carries during the win at Calgary.

6 – Cléber Dias (Brazil) With the return of Vieira, ‘Gelado’ was allowed to play at his preferred position on the blindside flank. His work rate was outstanding in the win over the Georgians, exemplified by his lung-busting support on Daniel Sancery’s line break to win quick ball at the breakdown for the winning score.

7 – James O’Neill (Prairie Wolf Pack) Put in a tremendous performance against the Bears in Calgary, dominating the breakdown including two crucial turnovers deep in his own end. Also played well in the loss at Klahanie Park. Sadly he’ll miss the CRC finals but for a good reason – he’ll be captaining Canada at the World Rugby u20 Trophy in Romania.

8 – Grant Crowell (Prairie Wolf Pack) If any player has put their hand up for national selection thus far in the CRC it’s the 25-year-old Calgary resident. His rampaging carrying has seen him score two tries but he hasn’t just been a bull in a china shop. He’s won multiple restarts on his own ball, a very valuable skill in the modern game.

9 – James Pitblado (BC Bears) Come on as an impact sub in the first match and scored a wonderful breakaway try. Was rewarded with the start in the second match and his aggressive attacking game kept the Wolf Pack on the retreat, scoring one try himself and a quick tap giving one to Theo Sauder. Lucas Duque was also very influential for Brazil.

10 –Joaquín Díaz Luzzi (Alumni) Steered Alumni to back-to-back wins over CUBA and Pucará. Only six points in the first match but his tactical kicking in the rain was spot on, while he contributed 16 points including one try himself in the second match. Former Puma regular Santiago Fernandez was also in fine form for Hindú.

11 – Jake Bentley (Prairie Wolf Pack) A super match in Calgary with two tries of his own and another searing break to create one for Ben LeSage. Wasn’t quite as prevalent in Vancouver but still found the line once in support of Mark Discombe.

12 – Guiseppe du Toit (BC Bears) Had a challenging match against Canada incumbent Nick Blevins in Calgary but stepped up in Vancouver, playing a major role in the dominant win including a huge line break to put Pitblado away. The leading scorer in the CRC thus far with 26 points all from the boot.

13 – Felipe Sancery (Brazil) The twins were at it again in Tbilisi as both found the try-line in the memorable road win. Felipe was a threat all game and he followed his brother’s line break late in the game to pick and sprint over for the winning try.

14 – Luca Sábato (Alumni) Multiple tries scored in two consecutive weeks as the Tortuguitas jumped to the top of the URBA Top 12 table. Two tries in terrible conditions against CUBA, and he went one better with a hat-trick against Pucará.

15 – Daniel Sancery (Brazil) Perhaps even more influential than his brother. Scorched through the line for a try of his own and did it again late in the game, hauled down just short but he kept the ball alive for his brother to notch the game-winner.