MLR 2022 – ARN Team of the Week – Round 1

The first week of the new Major League Rugby is in the books and that means it’s time for our picks for top performers at each position. Most spots had a couple contenders but there here were several talented individuals who looked off the pace, so competition can be expected to rise as match fitness improves.

1 – Nicolás Solveyra (Houston SaberCats) Charlie Abel was not enjoying himself at the set piece but his complaints fell on deaf ears as Solveyra turned the crews on the Giltinis scrum. He also put in a big shift around the pitch. Jake Turnbull decimated his opposite number and scored a try for Austin.

2 – Marko Janse van Rensburg (Rugby ATL) Honorable mentions to fellow South Africans Robbie Coetzee, who scored two tries for the AG’s, and SaberCats captain Dean Muir. Janse van Rensburg managed to get in once himself and was also outstanding at the set piece despite taking what looked like a shoulder knock. Offered himself as a ball carrying option with some smart running lines.

3 – Juan Pablo Zeiss (Houston SaberCats) Only just arrived from Argentina, he and Solveyra were in complete control at the scrum. Zeiss was also busy in defense and was communicating well at his post position. Wikus Groenewald had a good game for ATL and Toronto will be pleased with new signing Isaac Salmon’s first outing.

4 – Ben Mitchell (San Diego Legion) Consistently among his team’s best performers. Offered his usual lineout presence but also ran a great line to score a try, and had a beautiful offload to Joe Pietersen to create another. ATL’s Johan Momsen was also in contention.

5 – Justin Basson (Rugby ATL) A big body on the right side of the scrum, Basson brought exactly what the Ratlers were hoping for. Won the collisions and secured his own lineout ball. Scored a veteran’s try by reaching over a ruck and would have had a second if not for a great defensive effort from Matt Gordon.

6 – Willie Britz (Houston SaberCats) Wearing 7 but playing on the blindside flank as they do in South Africa, Britz was a giant in the SaberCats pack. His mop of hair seemed to be in the middle of everything. Grabbed a late try and then moments later produced a crucial lineout steal to send the defending champs home with a loss.

7 – Lucas Rumball (Toronto Arrows) The Arrows pack was better than the scoreboard suggested and where the team will take the most positives from the loss in Seattle. Rumball was a his usual self at the breakdown, slowing the ball down and generally being a complete pest. Moe Abdelmonem did similar for Dallas before coming off at halftime.

8 – Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves) Perhaps a little more subtle than we have seen in the past, but Hattingh was still very productive for the Seawolves. Provided heaps of carries and tackles, and also presented himself as a key lineout option. Daemon Torres was something of a surprise package for ATL who put in a very respectable shift that included a try.

9 – JP Smith (Seattle Seawolves) A close call with Ryan Louwrens certainly making himself known for Austin, but Smith combined with AJ Alatimu to control field position in the win over Toronto. Bossed the forwards that took the edge in a fierce contest up front. Nate Augspurger also looked sharp for San Diego.

10 – Beaudein Waaka (New England Free Jacks) There were good games from Seattle’s AJ Alatimu and it was very tempting to pick Old Glory’s Mike Dabulas. Waaka was the man for New England, however, scoring one try and creating another out of nothing. Looks like he’s been practicing his kicking as he nailed all four shots at the posts.

11 – Julián Domínguez (Austin Gilgronis) It was terrific to see Nick Feakes back in full flight for NOLA. His teammates weren’t as convincing. Domínguez certainly was, with a scorching try early in the game to get the ball rolling for the AG’s. Expect him to be near the top of the scoring charts this season.

12 – Will Leonard (Rugby ATL) The powerful Irishman was brought to Atlanta to play a specific role and he did that with aplomb against DC. Time and again took two and three defenders with him as he blasted into the line, and he conceded nothing in defense.

13 – Mark O’Keeffe (Austin Gilgronis) Another Irish center who left Atlanta for Austin. O’Keeffe scythed through for a couple huge line breaks and seem to fend off players at will. The AG’s now have good balance in the midfield along with Bryce Campbell. Ex-Arrows co-captain Ben LeSage didn’t like the result but was arguably the best man in a Giltinis shirt this weekend.

14 – Mike Te’o (Utah Warriors) Ross Neal raced his way into contention with a well-taken intercept try, but Te’o was just as good if not better to put Caleb Makene away and keep the Warriors in the hunt for a losing bonus point. He had earlier scored Utah’s first try as he continues to be an unstoppable force with ball in hand at this level.

15 – Joaquín de la Vega Mendía (Rugby ATL) It was an impressive debut for Caleb Makene, and on another week he might have been the choice. There was no chance we were leaving out ATL’s sensational Argentine, who was a perfect 8-from-8 off the kicking tee. Also scored a try for a personal haul of 23 points. Not bad for a guy making his professional debut.