MLR Team of the Week

This past weekend saw 306 points go up on the board in only 4 Major League Rugby matches. Those numbers might make defensive coaches cringe but it certainly made for some compelling viewing. Consistency was the most difficult thing to find with every team bar San Diego going through large periods of indifference. That inability to put an 80-minute performance together will ultimately cost someone their spot in the post-season. Until we find out who, we’ll just sit back and enjoy the ride.

1 – Mateo Sanguinetti (Houston SaberCats) ‘To scrum or not to scrum’. In the case of the Raptors on Saturday, the answer was a definitive ‘No sir!’ Sanguinetti and his Houston mates didn’t just highlight Glendale’s inadequacy there, they dressed it up in Christmas lights and a shiny red nose. As he so often does with Los Teros, the Uruguayan was also a strong contributor in the loose and must have been horrified to see his efforts unrewarded.

2 – Jeremy Leber (Utah Warriors) Easily overlooked considering his opposites number outweighed him by 50 lbs, but the diminutive Australian was a vital part of Utah’s temporary resurgence against Seattle. Brad Tucker interjected once but otherwise Leber hit his targets at the lineout, and he managed to hook the ball back at every scrum while often under pressure. He had a couple decent carries but it was his defense that stood tallest. Two breakdown interventions won crucial turnovers deep in Warriors territory that kept his team in the game.

3 – Charlie Connolly (Houston SaberCats) When he left the field in the 49th minute Houston were still in the lead, though tenuously. You can’t ask for much more from your front row than to decimate their opposites at the set piece. It’s a shame the SaberCats defense fell to pieces after so much hard work had been done by the men up front.

4 – Mike Sheppard (Toronto Arrows) After a slow start to the year the veteran is returning to the form that earned him a starting role in Canada’s team for the Repechage. He was in the middle of a staunch Arrows defense that were harshly treated by the officials on more than one occasion. Sheppard’s carrying over the gainline was also a positive for Toronto. Houston’s Diego Magno might have been closer to selection were it not for his cynical yellow card to end the first half.

5 – Brad Tucker (Seattle Seawolves) A towering, maniacal performance from a figure who has been among the league’s very best this season. Seems to put every ounce of energy in every collision, and then comes again. He scored two tries against Utah, made an incisive carry and offload to create another, and yet another line break set up the Riekert Hattingh try. Also stole a lineout to break up Utah’s momentum.

6 – Psalm Wooching (San Diego Legion) After what was effectively a lost year in 2018, the ferocious Hawaiian is doing his best to make up for it. His role on the blindside flank is to seek and destroy and he was doing exactly that against Austin on Sunday. His discipline was not an issue as it was just a week ago, and his determination with ball in hand has been there for all to see. Add his athleticism in the lineout and you have the exciting prospect were were all hoping to see.

7 – Lance Williams (Utah Warriors) It was a surprise to see Williams named in the team after being carried off in the final moments against Toronto the week before. His knee seemed to be held together by tape and by the end it wasn’t working at all, but still he went forward and hurled his body in front of any Seawolves player within range. A truly inspirational figure for the Warriors. Arrows loose forwards Lucas Rumball and Peter Milazzo also impressed, the former finishing at flanker after starting at No8.

8 – Murphy Taramai (Glendale Raptors) There was no announcement from Glendale of his impending – or indeed actual – arrival. He just magically showed up on the team sheet. MLR might want to review their communications strategy going forward, as the former Blues man was certainly worthy of a press release. His first game in a new blue jersey was outstanding, giving the Raptors huge go-forward from the back of the scrum to open up space for the finishers out wide. The tries from Peter Dahl and Robbie Petzer were a direct result of his impetus.

9 – Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion) Another making up for lost time after struggling with injury. Augspurger’s value to the Eagles for the World Cup is versatility but he is working hard to earn his spot outright as one of the top scrumhalves in the country. He’s worn the No9 shirt for the past five games but it’s the last two that have stood out with his improved decision making helping to fire the Legion’s offense. Quick feet got him a try from close range and he showed his leadership when Joe Pietersen left the field.

10 – Scott Gale (NOLA Gold) The Gold weren’t at their best in Toronto and frankly might consider themselves a bit fortunate to get the win. Good teams pull games from the fire and a big part of that success was the calming presence of their flyhalf. Gale directed NOLA’s attack and his sharp passing kept the Arrows under pressure. He also defended well with a couple tackles sending ball carriers backwards in his own end. His left-footed line kicking earned them territory when they needed it most.

11 – John Ryberg (Glendale Raptors) Can he pack down in a scrum? Glendale might be wondering that given the state of affairs in their front row and the superhuman abilities of their virulent winger. The thing of it is, everyone knows he’s coming, but they still can’t figure out how to stop him. Ryberg’s hat trick against Houston gives him nine tries on the season, two ahead of Tristan Blewett. The commentators of the Toronto game might wish to note that ahead of their next assignment.

12 – Robbie Petzer (Glendale Raptors) The Raptors likely signed him primarily as a flyhalf to cover Will Magie’s absences, but Petzer has looked more effective at inside center. His distribution allowed Ryberg and Harley Davidson more time on the ball and his hard running and support lines earned him a try early in the second half. Took over the kicking duties when Magie went off to land two important conversions.

13 – Gannon Moore (Utah Warriors) An immense performance from the Eagles flyer. The game plan seemed to be ‘get the ball to Gannon’ and it worked a charm until Seattle’s forwards found another gear. Moore seemed to beat defenders at will and his line breaks created four of the five Utah tries. It’s that type of impact the selectors will be hoping to see more of as they start to whittle down their contender list for the World Cup.

14 – Brock Staller (Seattle Seawolves) To be fair his game wasn’t without its flaws. He dropped a scoring pass cold (hello Johnny Ika) and was tossed into touch on another occasion. He did score one try and took the ball over the gainline on a few strong carries. A significant aspect of his selection was the 6-from-8 performance off the tee in swirling, windy conditions that get Seattle more breathing room than they perhaps deserved.

15 – Mat Turner (Seattle Seawolves) His first start since February reminded Seattle fans the difference he makes to the side. Turner’s coverage was outstanding and he must have been cursing the number of times his teammates let Moore et al slice through the line. The incredible cover tackle on Williams late in the second half saved a certain try… or at the very least delayed the inevitable. Just when it looked like the Warriors might draw scores level Turner decided to go for a run – of the 90-meters-untouched variety.