Team of the Week

To say it was a slow weekend for the European pros might be an understatement. It was also a struggle to pick names out of the Pumas match against the Barbarians on Saturday, but we’ve been generous in our assessments this week. Seven players come from the historic friendly between Boston… er… New England and New York. It left plenty of room for improvement in terms of professional standards but in entertainment value it certainly delivered.

1 – Anthony Parry (RU New York) Gave Tony Purpura a rough ride at the scrum and played well in the loose. Having suited up for three ‘MLR’ sides this year, Parry looks to be in very good physical condition as he finds a permanent home with New York. Expect him to be a regular in the side this season.

2 – Bruno Mercanti (Gernika) His team weren’t up to much but the Argentine veteran put himself about as much as possible and was rewarded with a try at the end of the first half. Mike Brown of New York was the only front rower to go the full 80 in Boston.

3 – Francisco Gómez Kodela (Lyon) A nod to Paddy Ryan who made his New York debut a memorable one with a try in his 20 minute cameo. Our first choice is the former Pumas tighthead who must have been having a laugh watching the Argentine scrum get crushed by the Barbarians while helping Lyon put one over Pau.

4 – Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York) Captain for the day in the absence of Dylan Fawsitt, the Eagles lock put in an assured performance in the engine room as the New York pack got the better of their newest rivals. Pablo Huete played well for Charente in the win over Colomiers. Will we see him in the Americas Rugby Championship with Chile?

5 – Andrés Zafra (Agen) Came on as a second half replacement but such was the historic nature of his impact he could not be ignored. His charge down and match-winning try made him the most first Colombian to score in the Top 14. A great moment for rugby in the Americas.

6 – Samu Manoa (Cardiff Blues) His first start for the Blues came not at No8 but on the blindside flank. Ulster were winners in a tight game, but a pair of Eagles showed well for Cardiff including Manoa whose carrying put his team on the front foot.

7 – Pablo Matera (Argentina) To be fair the Pumas captain should have been in the sin bin on two occasions but at the same time we have to applaud his competitiveness in a friendly against the Barbarians. This year has been a roller coaster for Argentina and their new captain has a massive task ahead in the coming months.

8 – Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Barbarians) A slightly sentimental selection given he was forced to leave the pitch in only the 30th minute. If this is the last time we see the great man on the international stage, he at least gave us a lasting memory with a superb finish just a couple minutes into the match.

9 – Erik Thompson (New England Free Jacks) One half of a very effective partnership that steered the Free Jacks around the park. The former Junior All-American has been quiet for a couple years but is now taking his chance to test himself against a higher level of competition.

10 – Tadhg Leader (New England Free Jacks) He’s US-eligible now which means he’s also eligible for our weekly selections. Led the team out in their first ever home match and nearly inspired them to a famous victory. Perfect off the kicking tee and his cross-kicks gave New York all kinds of problems.

11 – Ramiro Moyano (Argentina) The best Pumas player at Twickenham ended a strong November tour on a high despite the result. He put Matías Orlando in for the first try, scored the second himself, and then kicked ahead for Sebastián Cancelliere to score all in the first half.

12 – Peter Lupton (New England Free Jacks) Another expat who is US-eligible though the 36-year-old isn’t going to be appearing on an Eagles radar. The former Wales league international helped himself to a pair of tries against New York with some strong running and a handy fend.

13 – Seimou Smith (Rugby United New York) Saturday was an opportunity for some new names to put their hands up and nobody did so more than Smith. An impressive athlete with a season of collegiate football behind him, he scored a fine individual try and was New York’s most dangerous attacker. One to watch.

14 – Blaine Scully (Cardiff Blues) Along with Manoa was one of Cardiff’s best performers against Ulster, both in attack and defense. Christian Adams also went well for the Free Jacks as a replacement with one try and a few good carries.

15 – Danny Collins (New England Free Jacks) One of the smaller figures on the pitch but not afraid to put his body in the way of the big men, even if it didn’t work out so well. Covered plenty of ground and his support lines put him in position score a try from a Stephen Dazzo offload.