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It was an interesting week in the Americas Rugby Championship as Brazil nearly knocked-off the pre-tournament favorites USA. The now-favorite Argentina XV continued their march towards the title but didn’t look especially sharp in the second half against Uruguay. Canada meanwhile had some pep in their step against Chile and earned five selections in our best of Round 3.
1 – Lucas Abud (Brazil) Having studied the wreckage of the Canadian scrum from Round 2, we thought the USA might put up a better fight in the scrum. As it was any improvement was marginal at best. Aside from a yellow card Abud was excellent once again, smashing his opposite for 70 minute as the Tupis nearly caught the Eagles a second time.
2 – Wilton Rebolo (Brazil) Started the match at hooker and moved to tighthead part-way through the second half. The result was the same, a retreating USA scrum. If anything it became even more once-sided after the change. Rebolo also put in a couple big hits and carried well in heavy traffic.
3 – Jardel Vettorato (Brazil) For 50-odd minutes he was his usual self, abrasive in the loose and a powerhouse in the scrum. Vettorato has made our team each week and his only competition has been Uruguay’s Mario Sagario, who also fared well in the scrum against the Argentina XV.
4 – Kyle Baillie (Canada) Moved to lock this week but didn’t let that get in the way of his performance in the loose. Baillie’s try to open the game was outstanding and his work rate never let up until he come off early in the second half. By then he had already done enough.
5 – Nick Civetta (USA) The Eagles were decimated in the scrum but the lineout was theirs, in large part thanks to the ever-reliable Civetta. If we were to name an all-ARC team over the past four years the New York native would be one of the favorites to earn selection at lock.
6 – Justin Blanchet (Canada) Handed a first test start after his replacement effort against Brazil and made the most of it. Brought his trademark edge in defense but also contributed offensively including one clean break on a hard line off the ruck.
7 – Lautaro Bavaro (Argentina XV) A big game from the captain who led from the front once again. Scored two tries in the first half against Uruguay to secure the win and the bonus point. He also linked well in the backs, giving the scoring pass to Julián Domínguez.
8 – Hanco Germishuys (USA) We could have opted for a ‘proper’ eightman – André Arruda and Cam Dolan played well in Round Rock and Manuel Diana was prominent for Los Teros – but we couldn’t leave out Germishuys after his destructive performance against Brazil. Forgot to release the ball for what would have been his second try, otherwise he was unstoppable against the Tupis.
9 – Felipe Ezcurra (Argentina XV) The form halfback of the competition, he continues to impress and with Gonzalo Bertranou now out with a long-term injury, Ezcurra is next in line to get the call for Los Jaguares should Tomás Cubelli or Martín Landajo lose form. Against Uruguay he bossed the forwards well and even put in a choke tackle to win a turnover.
10 – Domingo Miotti (Argentina XV) As expected the 22-year-old was a commanding presence at Vélez Sarsfield. Didn’t challenge the line much but he didn’t have to as he continually plugged the corners to keep Los Teros on their heels in the rain. Landed all four shots at goal and distributed accurately.
11 – Kainoa Lloyd (Canada) Named the official ARC Player of the Week after his first half hat-trick against Chile. An automatic selection this week that forced another contender to switch shirts in our team.
12 – Paul Lasike (USA) As with Germishuys, Brazil had no answer for the strength of a charging Lasike. Every touch of the ball put him beyond the gainline or another player in space. Scored his own try to kick things off for the Eagles and put Mike Te’o into the corner with a back-handed offload before halftime.
13 – Ciaran Hearn (Canada) Actually played inside center but has traditionally played more at 13 so we doubt he’ll complain about making room for Lasike. Along with Baillie, Hearn has been Canada’s best in the ARC and he was near flawless in his 60 minutes against the Cóndores, with one missed conversion the only docked mark.
14 – Andrew Coe (Canada) It was a good day for Canada’s wingers who combined for five tries. Lloyd was the man in the first half, and Coe stepped it up in the second, eventually earning man of the match honors. Wing isn’t his ideal position but he made a pretty good fist of it on Friday.
15 – Mike Te’o (USA) Played on the left wing but there was no way we could leave him out after his memorable return after a year out. Scored one himself and popped up everywhere on the field and gave the inside pass to John Quill for the bonus-point try.
