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This past weekend was a bit of a slog for Major League Rugby. Extreme heat had a dramatic effect on the standard of play and the officiating also suffered. That won’t stop us from picking a pretty decent XV all things considered, with some raising their hand despite being on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
1 – Jamie Mackintosh (Austin Gilgronis) It was a big shift from the ‘Whoppa’, with several carries into traffic and a good day at the set piece. The cagey veteran caught the Legion napping as he astutely pounced over a ruck to steal the weirdest try of his career.
2 – Diego Fortuny (Houston SaberCats) Nearly got the nod a week ago, this week he had to be in. Since returning from injury he has brought much-needed steel to the forward pack. Has to be the strongest scrummaging hooker in MLR.
3 – Wikus Groenewald (Rugby ATL) Strong in the set piece and busy doing the donkey-work at the breakdown. He smashed over for a try in the first half that contributed to the bonus-point win for the Ratlers over Old Glory.
4 – Jackson Thiebes (New England Free Jacks) His team faded badly in the second half but Thiebes had a fine all-around performance. Won a turnover at the breakdown, picked off a NOLA lineout, and put up double digits in both carries and tackles.
5 – Matt Jensen (Utah Warriors) Has quietly put together another excellent season for the Warriors. As usual a big target in the lineout, he had a half-dozen carries including one line break and twice as many tackles against the SaberCats.
6 – Connor Cook (Rugby ATL) Covered every blade of grass against DC, his dreadlocks impossible to miss. Had at least three – or was it four? – turnovers at the breakdown and about as many lineout steals. After an injury hiatus has returned to the Ratlers at just the right time.
7 – Hanco Germishuys (Rugby United New York) His two tries scored weren’t exactly highlight reel efforts but they still count. Hanco had a slow start to the season but is trending in the right direction at the business end. He had a strong effort on both sides of the ball against the Arrows.
8 – Locky McCaffrey (Austin Gilgronis) An all-round class performance from the Australian. An offload put Ruben de Haas in for a try and he would score one himself on a barging run up the middle. Even added a couple kicks in for good measure. Adriaan Booysen was a tank in his last game of the season for Houston before departing for international duty.
9 – Cristian Rodriguez (LA Giltinis) Has played second fiddle to Harrison Goddard to start the season and was champing at the bit to get his start. He took full advantage of the opportunity, scoring a try and using his outstanding footwork to help set up two others. Ruben de Haas was also a standout for Austin.
10 – Bautista Ezcurra (Rugby ATL) Came close to scoring a try in the first half but it wasn’t his running that gets him in this week. Ezcurra’s left boot dominated territory for the Ratlers, keeping Old Glory pinned in their end in a tactical masterclass from the Ratlers.
11 – Bjorn Basson (San Diego Legion) The Legion faltered in the second half but Basson was a bright spot throughout. Every carry made a difference and he scored both San Diego tries, one in support of Thomas Morani and a then an intercept and sprint in from halfway.
12 – Bryce Campbell (Austin Gilgronis) It was another captain’s performance from Campbell, who led Austin to a crucial victory over the Legion. He was unstoppable on a straight run as first receiver off a scrum for their second of five tries. Utah’s Calvin Whiting underlined why he’s joining the Eagles in the UK.
13 – Bill Meakes (LA Giltinis) Another week, another position. This time he was at outside center and was superb on both sides of the ball. He produced two try-saving tackles in the first half to frustrate the Seawolves. Just before the break he beat three defenders to secure the bonus point for LA.
14 – Sitiveni Tamaivena (Seattle Seawolves) The Tamaivena twins were both flying for the Seawolves with Suli making his mark on the left wing. Siti was used to great effect as a crash ball option at first receiver from scrums. Meakes foiled his first breakthrough but he succeeded in scoring early in the second half.
15 – Mike Te’o (Utah Warriors) Maybe not quite as active as in other games this season but Te’o was again instrumental in Utah’s win over Houston. His dancing feet set up the try for Josh Whippy, and also saved the day in defense.
