Team of the Week

It’s been an interesting week. Our ‘international’ selections come from a Rugby Americas Select side that doubled up on the Glendale Raptors in a Major League Rugby scouting venture. Auckland won the Mitre 10 Cup with two Americas players very prominent while a third starred in the Heartland Championship. Other notables arrive from the URBA, the RFU, and the LNR.

1 – Mateo Sanguinetti (Americas Selects) It was tempting to go with Ramón Ayarza, who scored his second try for Bayonne as a replacement against Charente. Sanguinetti, however, dominated the scrum and put in a fine showing around the pitch in front of MLR selectors.

2 – Mike Sosene-Feagai (Auckland) No debates here, though Germán Kessler does deserve a mention for his impressive outing against Glendale. It’s the former (future?) Eagles cap who gets the plaudits for his outstanding try-scoring effort in the Cup Final against Canterbury. Surely an MLR side must come calling!

3 – Sergio de la Fuente (Thames Valley) The old warhorse rides again! One of Chile’s most experienced players rumbled over for a try to help Thames Valley claim New Zealand’s Heartland Championship, a wonderful accomplishment. Will he suit up against the Māori in Santiago? Wilton Rebolo also went well for the Selects at Infinity Park.

4 – Diego Magno (Americas Selects) Got his name on the scoring sheet and was all over the pitch. Uruguay’s all-time most-capped player has never let any side down, but will it be enough to earn a pro contract? His relative lack of size at lock may be a deterrent.

5 – Nick Civetta (Doncaster) Enjoyed the lineout battle against Namibian international Tjiuee Uanivi. Played an 80-minute role in Doncaster’s big win over London Scottish and got himself a try from close range. Next up, a few weeks on tour with the Eagles.

6 – Evan Olmstead (Auckland) Absolutely outstanding in what was the most memorable performance of his career. Smashed into rucks, made countless tackles and carries, won lineouts and turnovers, and came away with man-of-the-match honors in a Cup Final. The Blues selectors are surely regretting sewing up their Super Rugby roster so early.

7 – Arthur Bergo (Americas Selects) A close call with Uruguay’s Leandro Segredo also impressing with his physicality and a couple neat offloads. Brazil’s Bergo takes the decision by virtue of finding the try-line with a hard run that caught the defense flat-footed. All in all a good day for the South American flankers.

8 – Nicolás Menéndez (Lomas) A dual international having represented Los Pumas Sevens and also the Argentina XV, Menéndez is back full-time in XVs this season. Scored two tries and was the dominant forward on the field in the big win over San Martín.

9 – Tomás Passerotti (Alumni) No points but a commanding performance as captain in the narrow – and vital – win over CUBA that keeps Alumni in position to clinch fourth place. Germán Klubus went a perfect five-for-five from the tee and steered Pucará to a comfortable victory over Regatas.

10 – Shane O’Leary (Ealing) A nod to Rodrigo Silva, the Teros fullback who stood in at flyhalf for the Selects and picked up two second half tries. O’Leary is our man for his starring role in the stunning win over Trailfinders. He kicked 17 points with the boot and looked sharp with his distribution. Good signs for Canada heading into the Repechage competition.

11 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Picked up a pair of tries as the hosts blasted Pau at the shiny new Arena. It’s a tragedy that such a world class talent has been held back from international rugby since 2015 because of policy. Will he have to wait until the next World Cup to make his Pumas return?

12 – Moisés Duque (Americas Selects) One of the standouts among a number of fine performances at Infinity Park. A classy showing in the midfield with his lines of running and deft handling creating space for outside backs. Made it look easy when he sliced through and put Gastón Mieres away.

13 – Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton Treviso) His team were outclassed by Leinster but the Argentine midfielder held his own. Ran hard and put in a number of tackles. Felipe Sancery and Mika Kruse each played well against each other at Glendale.

14 – Nick Johnson (Glendale Raptors) Not the greatest day for the Raptors but they would be pleased with Johnson’s efforts on the wing. Powerful and direct, he looked hungry to see more MLR action and touched down for two tries, one in each half.

15 – Juan Bautista Daireaux (Newman) One of the hottest properties in Argentine domestic rugby at the moment. Two more tries in the win over Belgrano bringing his total to 12 on the season, second only to Pumas Sevens star Franco Sábato.