There was actually other rugby to watch this past weekend. For example the Premier 15s where a dozen of North America’s finest were suiting up. Tony Lamborn and Jordan Olsen were try-scorers in the Mitre 10 Cup and Joe Johnston got the start in Bay of Plenty’s win over North Harbour.
Let’s not kid ourselves, however. There was one show in town that stood head and shoulders above the rest. The only question was who to pick? Julián Montoya doing his best Gus Creevy impression at the breakdown? Marcos Kremer who sent the All Blacks reeling at every collision? Tomás Cubelli for his outstanding work rate on both sides of the ball? Pablo Matera for his superb leadership?
All worthy candidates, but there can be only one. Nicolás Sánchez looked flat and uninspired at Rugby World Cup 2019 but produced an absolutely vintage performance on Saturday. His 25 points were a Pumas record against the All Blacks, beating the legendary Hugo Porta, and it wasn’t just his kicking game that excelled. Sánchez won Man of the Match and we can hardly disagree with that sentiment.
Bravo Nico, and Vamos Los Pumas!