MLR 2022 – ARN Team of the Week – Round 3

That’s more like it. The third week of the 2022 Major League Rugby season was filled with drama and saw four games going right down to the wire. Along with it were some outstanding individual performances. Austin might feel hard done by with only one player selected, but theirs was unquestionably the best overall team showing. Four players are second-time selections while two – Riekert Hattingh and Mark O’Keeffe – have featured in all three XVs this season!

1 – Nicolás Solveyra (Houston SaberCats) Dallas found success elsewhere but not at the scrum, where Solveyra had his opposite on roller skates. He has been one of Houston’s best performers to date. NOLA’s Matt Harmon did well in the loose but ran into some problems against a formidable Arrows set piece.

2 – Alex Maughan (Rugby ATL) New England’s Pieter Jansen and both starters in New Orleans – Toronto’s Andrew Quattrin and NOLA’s Eric Howard – all had strong cases this week. Maughan was physical in defense and scored two tries for the Ratlers, who were winning when the once-capped Eagle left the field after 51 minutes of work.

3 – Hencus van Wyk (San Diego Legion) The Legion had the better of the scrum battle with van Wyk a rock on the right side. He also got around the pitch well, most notably handling the ball twice in the build-up to the Matt Moulds try. Austin’s Namatahi Waa was equally worthy at both set piece and in the loose.

4 – Johan Momsen (Rugby ATL) It was a couple usual suspects who caught our eye at the left lock position. San Diego’s Ben Mitchell came painfully close to scoring a match-winning try against Seattle. Momsen scored one and was very busy for the Ratlers, though his team ultimately came up short.

5 – Nate Brakeley (Rugby New York) Playing a major role in New York’s success was their skipper. Brakeley was most noticeable in defense, winning one key turnover and putting in a couple thumping tackles. His opposite Evan Mintern impressed for ATL, while Jérémy Lenaerts battled fiercely for Dallas against his former team.

6 – Mike Matarazzo (Dallas Jackals) The back row was the main source of inspiration for the Jackals. Matarazzo had his best game as a professional, the main target in the lineout and the scorer of the third try for Dallas. Honorable mention goes to Toronto’s Kyle Baillie and Seattle’s Ben Landry.

7 – Danny Barrett (Houston SaberCats) Lucas Rumball was immense for the Arrows, and on the other side of the pitch Moe Abdelmonem gave everything leading Dallas. Without Barrett it’s doubtful the SaberCats would have recovered. He was a limpet at the breakdown and scored a try near the hour mark that brought his team back into the game.

8 – Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves) A close call with Conrado Roura also deserving recognition for his two-try performance with Dallas. Hattingh was superb for the Seawolves, however, with two highlight-reel tries of his own including a rampaging run down the wing that Bjorn Basson won’t soon be forgetting.

9 – Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion) Three names came to mind this week. Dillon Smit was instrumental in Houston’s comeback, while Ryan Louwrens was in complete control for Austin. The ubiquitous Augspurger gets our vote for his bravery in defense and two tries that very nearly earned the Legion a win despite a long list of injury absentees.

10 – Beaudein Waaka (New England Free Jacks) Sam Malcolm was a match-winner for the Arrows, but Waaka simply can’t be left out. Two games played, two selections to our weekly XV. Our only criticism is that his goal-kicking radar was off, but he more than made up for it with two tries himself and a brilliant grubber for Mitch Wilson to slide onto.

11 – Brock Webster (Toronto Arrows) We could have opted for Ed Fidow, who was once again a force of nature for New York. Webster was on debut for the Arrows and the young Canadian star popped up everywhere, repeatedly coming off his wing looking for work. He was rewarded with a try that proved essential to Toronto’s win over New Orleans.

12 – Tavite Lopeti (Seattle Seawolves) This spot was earmarked for ATL’s Will Leonard until Sunday. Lopeti put in another game-changing performance with two outstanding individual tries. He was forced off late on after taking a head knock but thankfully appeared to be ok in a post-game interview.

13 – Mark O’Keeffe (Austin Gilgronis) Toyed with the defense on his first try, and coasted in for a double. When O’Keeffe isn’t scoring he’s attracting defenders which makes space for Austin’s lethal wing duo Julián Domínguez and Conner Mooneyham… or the electrifying Dom Akina.

14 – Andrew Coe (Rugby New York) The rest of the league is now on notice – throw loose passes around Coe and you will pay a heavy price. He snagged two from ATL, one of which was a straight run-in under the sticks. The Canadian international is off to a bright start in his MLR career. Jake Hidalgo had a game-winning second half cameo for the SaberCats.

15 – Carl Meyer (NOLA Gold) Not quite at his best off the kicking tee but Meyer caused the Arrows defense fits every time he touched the ball. NOLA could use a little more spark in their attack, so don’t be surprised if he’s shifted back into the midfield to increase opportunities with ball in hand.