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It was a poor week for the Pumas in the Rugby Championship leading to only one player earning selection in our team. Instead we looked to domestic rugby – the French Top 14 and Pro D2, the English Premiership and Championship, New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup, and Spain’s División de Honor.
1 – Eric Fry (Vannes) It was a good day at the office for the Eagles incumbent. His work rate was at its usual high standards but it was the scrum that really caught the eye. Fry smashed his opposite and even earned a penalty try early in the match.
2 – Mike Sosene-Feagai (Auckland) Handed his second start of the campaign and played well despite his team ultimately coming up short. Carried with purpose and hit his jumpers in the lineout. Martín García Veiga grabbed a try for Barcelona against UE Santboiana.
3 – Titi Lamositele (Saracens) An all-Eagles front row? A rare treat. Lamositele was the best of the trio putting in possibly his best performance in a Saracens shirt. Rock solid in the scrum and his line-break and offload to Liam Williams showed his class with ball in hand.
4 – Evan Olmstead (Auckland) His team finally tasted defeat in a thrilling contest against Otago, but the Canadian second row gave everything to the cause. Only rising All Blacks prospect Dalton Papali’i put in more tackles than Olmstead.
5 – Ben Landry (Ealing) Another 80 minute effort from the big man as Trailfinders brought the Cornish Pirates’ 11-game Championship winning streak to a halt. Landry won the collisions and was particularly dominant on the post in defense.
6 – Pablo Matera (Argentina) It was a disappointing day for the Pumas on the whole but their star flanker could not be faulted. Matera was their most effective forward both with ball in hand and in the tackle.
7 – Facundo Bosch (Agen) Continues to be used on the flank of Agen, though the Pumas will consider him as a hooker heading towards the World Cup. Came on just a couple minutes into the second half and made a mighty impact on both sides of the ball in the narrow loss to Pau.
8 – Andrew Durutalo (Ealing) Played on the openside but played like a rampaging No8. The Eagles retiree has been in blistering form to start the season, and he had another stormer for the Trailfinders on the weekend. Made up for a yellow card with several powerful carries including one barging run that put him over the tryline.
9 – Nicolás Herreros (Aparejadores) Condores fans would have been keen to watch the game against Independiente with three Chileans on the pitch including both starting scrumhalves. Normally a sevens specialist, Herreros showed his skills with a quick tap and right foot step to score his team’s first try that ultimately proved vital in the three-point win.
10 – Benjamín Urdapilleta (Castres) Shane O’Leary kicked Nottingham to their third win in a row, while Nicolás Sánchez was the pick of the Pumas backs. Urdapilleta is our pick, however, after a commanding performance against Toulouse that included 16 points from the kicking tee.
11 – Lucas Martín Caneda (Charente) Put down a marker in just his first appearance of the Pro D2 season. Defended well and finished off a flowing team try as his team came from behind to defeat Mont-de-Marsan.
12 – Ronnie McLean (Richmond) Hartpury were blown off the park by an impressive Richmond side. The one-cap Eagle was outstanding in the midfield, giving his team constant go-forward and wreaking havoc with ball in hand.
13 – Martín Vershae (Independiente) In his first season of European rugby, the Chilean three-quarter was a battering ram against Aparejadores but couldn’t quite lead the team to a win. Took out three defenders before offloading to create the opening score.
14 – Taylor Paris (Castres) Canadian fans will be pleased to see one of their star players looking sharp ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers. Paris had several strong carries for Castres including one clean break.
15 – Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs) His brilliant form continues and this time he did it at fullback against Worcester. Cordero beat a half-dozen defenders and gained hordes of territory with virtually every touch. It will be very difficult for the Pumas to ignore him if this carries into World Cup year.
