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It was an interesting week in Major League Rugby that saw the lines in the sand increase in clarity. Toronto, San Diego, and Seattle were a step ahead of their opposition and the Utah-Glendale match displayed the vulnerability of each side. Individually there were some fine efforts which required some healthy with hooker particularly well represented this week.
1 – Rob Brouwer (Toronto Arrows) Back from suspension, the veteran got right back to the grindstone and gave some much-needed gusto to an Arrows pack weary from travel. Brouwer was dominant on the loosehead side then switched to tighthead and didn’t skip a beat. Second best was likely the other Arrows loosehead Pat Lynott who tortured the Houston scrum for nearly 30 minutes after he replaced Tom Dolezel early in the second half.
2 – AJ Quattrin (Toronto Arrows) The picture of his blood-stained jersey has been making the rounds and his battle scars were well-earned. ‘Q’ made the gainline with every carry and won every collision, often against two defenders. His set piece was also high quality with the scrum giving Houston fits by the end. Other contenders included San Diego’s Dean Muir and Seattle’s Stephan Coetzee, while Chad Gough gets a mention for his stunning try cameo for Glendale.
3 – Paddy Ryan (San Diego Legion) You can almost pencil this guy in every week. This was the fourth time this season he has made our team, and the other props will be thankful he finally has a week off coming up. Against Austin it was his ball carrying that took center stage with several charges into heavy traffic.
4 – Brad Turner (Seattle Seawolves) Plays each week as if he has something to prove, and doesn’t seem to care what number is on his back. Pinched one key lineout throw and a physical force throughout. Many of his tackles were of the bone-jarring variety and every run with purpose.
5 – Luke White (Glendale Raptors) Has been there or thereabouts every game though his team continues to struggle. This week he gets in ahead of the competition for keeping his composure and inspiring his charges to a bonus-point draw rather than the loss that was planted firmly on the table. Has an impressive engine for a tight forward.
6 – Psalm Wooching (San Diego Legion) Still a work in progress but the potential is definitely there. Got the start against Austin and was a prominent figure as a lineout target and roaming about in the loose. Had several effective carries and one ferocious tackle in particular jarred the ball loose in Austin territory and eventually led to a San Diego score.
7 – Eric Duechle (Seattle Seawolves) Last week he was our blindside selection, this week he spent 50-odd minutes on the openside so that’s where we’ll have him. Playing the best rugby of his career at the moment. He scored the first try from close range and at the end of the game was still covering every blade of grass in defense.
8 – Ross Deacon (Rugby United New York) Has been quietly doing the hard yards for New York, playing every minute of their season so far. On Sunday he showed his strength to drive through two tacklers and score from close range. Doesn’t make a lot of line breaks but never takes a backward step.
9 – Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion) Stepped in for with Nick Boyer away on Eagles duty and kept the Legion’s motor running smoothly. Provided good service, picked off his opposite’s pass for a try, and his tackle on Rikus Zwart stopped the big man in his tracks. Toronto’s Andrew Ferguson was also a worthy contender after his best match of the season against Houston.
10 – Sam Malcolm (Toronto Arrows) A perfect 8-from-8 off the tee saw helped the Arrows to their second win, and this time in convincing fashion. Malcolm mixed his general play nicely with an array of kicks while also defending well. Joe Pietersen was again top man for San Diego.
11 – John Ryberg (Glendale Raptors) The human wrecking ball was at it again at Zions Bank Stadium. It took multiple defenders to stop him with even carry. On two occasions they couldn’t stop him at all. Also applied pressure on the kick-chase, timing one to perfection.
12 – Gannon Moore (Utah Warriors) A straight decision between Moore and Toronto’s Spencer Jones, who was outstanding again for the Arrows. We opted for Moore’s big plays on this occasion. He was deadly on attack, scoring two himself and offloading to create another. Also earned a big turnover in his end.
13 – Ben Foden (Rugby United New York) He doesn’t look entirely comfortable in the midfield, and his best interventions came from inserting himself in the attack as if he were at his traditional fullback spot. No one doubts his rugby ability, however, and Foden was certainly an influential figure against Seattle. The inside line off Will Leonard and offload to create a try was all class.
14 – Brock Staller (Seattle Seawolves) Canada are blessed with strength in depth at hooker but as each week passes the case for Staller’s inclusion grows. This time it was an 18-point haul against New York that puts him well ahead in the overall scoring table.
15 – Mat Turner (Seattle Seawolves) Not much to be said here. An automatic selection after his brilliant performance against New York. Took out two defenders to put Duechle over and countered everything thrown at him. One cover tackle denied Mark O’Keeffe and another chopped down Derek Lipscomb.
