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It was an exciting weekend of action with two razor-thin results and an improved performance from the winless Austin. New Orleans ran through Houston with a few players putting their hand up. After a second watch of each we’ve finally come up with what we think is a reasonable select side.
1 – Faka’osi Pifeleti (San Diego Legion) Pulverised the Glendale scrum at the first hit for a walkover try and kept them under pressure throughout. The older Pifeleti showed his strength with ball in hand by carrying two players with him for a try, and threw in a thumping tackle on Luke White.
2 – Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York) Gave away possession twice which he will not be happy with, but he made up for it over the course of his 80 minutes in the must-win game. Scored two tries from lineout drives, an area of strength all game for New York.
3 – Morgan Mitchell (Toronto Arrows) It was another good afternoon for Paddy Ryan, San Diego version, but our vote goes to the effervescent Mitchell. Won his battle in the scrum and carried strongly all game including getting over the line once though it was ultimately held up. His open-field tackle on Luke Hume was one of the highlights of the weekend.
4 – Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York) In the middle of the meat-eaters who brought New York back into the game when it looked like they were down and out. Picked up a crucial try from in close after repeatedly knocking on the door and was in the trenches when the game winner was touched down.
5 – Brad Tucker (Seattle Seawolves) Grabbed his first try of the season in support of Stephan Coetzee but it was the rest of his game that earned him the nod. Powerful in the contact area with numerous dominant tackles and a repeat target in the lineout.
6 – Kyle Baillie (NOLA Gold) Put in some fierce tackles, notably on Josua Vici and Max Tacket. His leg drive on contact kept the defense back-peddling and he picked a perfect line to score, using a big fend to swat away two en route.
7 – Zack Stryffeler (NOLA Gold) It was a dominant showing all-around for the Gold, with continuity key to racking up the points. Stryffeler kept the machine rolling with his support play and was rewarded with two line breaks, one putting Tristan Blewett clear for his hat trick. Moe Abdelmonem was again a standout for Austin though he will be disappointed with his late yellow card.
8 – Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves) The target at numerous lineouts and scorer of two tries, both off the back of an advancing scrum. Gave Seattle much-needed go forward in the final hour after they were stunned in the opening quarter. Ross Deacon had a similar performance for New York minus the tries.
9 – Holden Yungert (NOLA Gold) Absolutely central to the huge win over the SaberCats. Distributed well, sniped on the fringes, and his box kick pinned Houston deep in their own end in the second half. Defensively he was superb with two try-saving tackles, one clean turnover at the breakdown, and a big hit on Connor Murphy to halt another attack.
10 – Sam Malcolm (Toronto Arrows) A steadying influence who never looks under pressure. Distributed with laser-like accuracy and put both his midfielders through gaps with subtle offloads. His kicking in general play was good. Off the tee he was immaculate.
11 – John Ryberg (Glendale Raptors) Another excellent performance, his selections are starting to stack up. Showed good hands to haul in Mika Kruse’s pass and then the strength to finish in the corner. Came in off his wing to burst up the middle for Shaun Davies’ try, and his big hit on Jordan Manihera dislodged the ball late in the game.
12 – JP Aguirre (Austin Elite) This week it was another who shone for Austin on debut. Showed his confidence with a sneaky grubber kick into the corner that resulted in a try from the lineout pressure. He then picked a line outside some lazy defenders to break through and offload to Soheyl Jaoudat for a try. The Elite will soon be a respectable side when all their late arrivals settle in.
13 – Tristan Blewett (NOLA Gold) Made the headlines for his hat trick and deservedly so. The first saw all angle and speed, the second an opportunistic intercept, the third a throwback to the first. Also put in a tackle behind the gainline on Sam Windsor in the first half that resulted in a turnover. Mika Kruse picked the wrong week to have his best game of the season for Glendale.
14 – Mike Te’o (San Diego Legion) Outstanding game in his return from Eagles duty. Relentless on the kick chase that put huge pressure on the Raptors cover, and he raced across the field from his opposite wing to save a dangerous kick into space. Somehow kept his feet in-field to put Dylan Audsley in for a try, and his step and offload created the game-tying score from JP du Plessis.
15 – Ben Foden (Rugby United New York) Didn’t get a chance to attack as much with the forwards doing the vast majority of the heavy lifting, but Foden did get counter well when presented with opportunities including one that nearly resulted in a score. His kicking from hand was top notch and integral to gaining field position particularly in the second half.
