MLR Team of the Week

Week 12 featured five games with three coming right down to the last play of the game. Austin, Utah, and San Diego each kept their Western Conference playoff hopes alive with bonus-point wins with New England hanging on by a thread in the East. Individually defense and set piece success contributed significantly to this week’s selection.

1 – Faka’osi Pifeleti (San Diego Legion) Enjoyed a fine game with ball in hand, with offloads to Ethan McVeigh and Joshua Furno both resulting in tries. Honorable mention to Austin sprinter LaRome White and Utah duo Franco van den Berg and Olive Kilifi.

2 – Pieter Jansen (New England Free Jacks) The lineout was the launching point for the first three New England tries, with Jansen getting credit for the first. He nearly had a couple on a short side attack finished by Erich de Jager. Austin’s Robbie Coetzee had a busy an unexpected day, starting in place of Hugh Roach and returning to the pitch when his backup Mason Koch went off after only nine minutes.

3 – Steven Longwell (Old Glory DC) Not the busiest day at the scrum but held his own when summoned. Played his part in Old Glory’s lineout moves and had a busy day defending the fringes.

4 – Joshua Furno (San Diego Legion) His best outing since returning from France. Two tries scored, multiple turnovers in defense, and a thorn in Toronto’s side at the lineout. Cam Dodson had a strong 80-minute shift for Austin.

5 – Stan South (Old Glory DC) The dominant figure in the lineout, won a couple turnovers, and provided go-forward with ball in hand. Also notably kept his discipline in check. Ben Landry is starting to find his feet again with Seattle.

6 – Lance Williams (Utah Warriors) ATL’s Vili Helu was a big part of the defensive effort that beat NOLA. Williams was a nuisance for the Warriors, winning two turnovers at the breakdown and bringing much-needed energy when it looked as though the game was slipping away.

7 – Maclean Jones (Austin Gilgronis) There were a half-dozen contenders this week, with Cory Daniel’s two-try effort for Old Glory notable. Jones was prevalent on both sides of the ball for Austin, scoring one try and a big part of the blanket defense that limited Houston to just three penalty goals.

8 – Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold) Eagles contenders Jason Damm of ATL and Riekert Hattingh from Seattle were in the picture. The incumbent gets the nod after his dismantling of the Ratlers lineout. Had a few good carries in the loose but his aerial effort was exceptional.

9 – John Poland (New England Free Jacks) Flew under the radar somewhat but played an integral role in New England’s bonus point win. Marshalled the pack and also provided some much-needed cover tackles. Ethan McVeigh had some nice touches and scored a try for San Diego.

10 – Jason Robertson (Old Glory DC) San Diego’s Joe Pietersen and ATL’s Adriaan Carelse earned Man of the Match honors for their respective teams, but Robertson simply cannot be left out. Seemed to be playing the game at a different speed than the rest and he was one one offload reception away from conjuring what would have been a remarkable comeback.

11 – Rory van Vugt (Rugby ATL) Old Glory’s Sam Cusano would not be out of place after his impressive two-try second half cameo. van Vugt skippered ATL to a superb victory with his defense at the forefront, not least some huge clearing kicks off his left boot.

12 – Bryce Campbell (Austin Gilgronis) His own line break created a try for Kurt Morath, and he would give the final pass for Jones to score after supporting another break. Also strong in defense. Aleki Morris-Lome of New England and Seattle’s AJ Alatimu each had moments of brilliance.

13 – Ross Neal (Seattle Seawolves) We must laud the stellar defensive effort of ATL’s Mark O’Keeffe, and some powerful running from Austin’s Frank Halai. Neal moved back to the midfield this week and scored two tries himself while setting up another for Naulia Dawai.

14 – Paula Balekana (Houston SaberCats) One of the bright spots in an underwhelming SaberCats effort. Threated with every touch of the ball. Both of Old Glory’s wing subs made an impact, with D’Montae Noble bouncing in for a try on the right side.

15 – Joaquín Tuculet (Toronto Arrows) A class act in a frustrated Arrows side. Tuculet started and finished his own try, always looking to add to the attack. Numerous kicks got Toronto out of danger to give them a fighting chance.