MLR 2022 – ARN Team of the Week – Round 12

There are now clear battle lines in the playoff race being drawn. New England and ATL are neck-and-neck at the top of the East with New York holding off Toronto for the third spot. In the West there are four teams within five points of each other. Three one-sided games narrowed the field as far as selections went but there was still fierce competition for spots at some positions.

1 – Mzamo Majola (Seattle Seawolves) Another 80 minute grind in the win over the Warriors. Majola held the scrum and played a critical support role in the loose. Old Glory’s Jack Iscaro had a try-scoring effort against Dallas before getting an early break.

2 – Marko Janse van Rensburg (Rugby ATL) The ATL pack put on a clinic against the Legion, dominating the set piece and methodically putting points up on the board. Janse van Rensburg nailed his throw-ins and scored his league-leading 8th try of the season.

3 – Juan Pablo Zeiss (Houston SaberCats) Speaking of dominant packs, the Cats did a number on the Arrows and it started up front. Zeiss put in a couple crunching tackles and he powered over for a try on a simple wrap-around play in the first half.

4 – Tevita Naqali (Old Glory DC) Selected for the fourth consecutive week after another high impact performance. Scored a try just before halftime. Houston’s Marno Redelinghuys and New England skipper Josh Larsen also had fine matches.

5 – Justin Basson (Rugby ATL) Provided huge ballast in the driving maul that yielded two tries. Even after John-Roy Jenkinson came off at halftime the Ratlers scrum continued to move forwards. New York’s Nick Civetta had a big impact as a replacement in his return from England.

6 – Luke Campbell (Old Glory DC) The Canadian international stepped up at No8 when Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz was suspended, and has carried that form with him to the blindside flank. Got through a lot of dirty work against Dallas and also scored a first half try.

7 – Bailey Wilson (Utah Warriors) A close call with the two New Zealanders in Hoboken – New England’s Slade McDowall and New York’s Brendon O’Connor – also in the picture. Wilson tried desperately to drag his team to victory as a tireless tackler, ball carrier, and lineout target.

8 – Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves) The other captain at Zions Bank Stadium was even more influential. We’ll forgive his first half yellow card which was a questionable call anyway. Two tries scored to keep pace with Janse van Rensburg and nearly another off the back of the scrum.

9 – Dillon Smit (Houston SaberCats) Took the heat off young Kian Meadon with his clearance kicks from the base. Smit dictated the pace of the game and bossed the forwards around the pitch, never blinking despite being shorthanded for 30 minutes. John Poland went well for the Free Jacks.

10 – Beaudein Waaka (New England Free Jacks) Not as good as their first meeting, and we’ll excuse the horribly skewed up-and-under at the end that cost New England a try. That said Waaka was still the most influential attacker on the field with one terrific try himself and two others created, along with four successful kicks off the tee. Austin’s Will Magie settles for runner-up for a second consecutive week.

11 – Ed Fidow (Rugby New York) A pure finisher rather than a creator. Fidow had the patience to stay onside for both of Jason Emery’s grubbers and his first try still needed some work as he beat two defenders on the way to the line.

12 – Louritz van der Schyff (Houston SaberCats) A revelation since emerging from injury. Against Toronto van der Schyff scored two tries himself and very nearly had a third, while also controlling the gainline with sterling defense. Honorable mention to New York’s Jason Emery and NOLA’s JP du Plessis.

13 – Wayne van der Bank (New England Free Jacks) No points this week but it was another all-around effort from van der Bank. Helped close down the midfield and forced New York to look to the boot, which they admittedly executed well. Literally ripped away possession on one advance from Fa’asiu Fuatai.

14 – Mitch Wilson (New England Free Jacks) Beaten for pace by Fidow but Wilson more than made up for it with several carries, earning yards after contact and providing the incisive run that set up the winning score for Le Roux Malan. The Wilson brothers in the team together for the first time! Utah’s Connor Burns continues to impress with every opportunity.

15 – Joaquín de la Vega Mendía (Rugby ATL) There were some strong candidates this week, not least Old Glory’s Renata Roberts-Te Nana and Dallas double-try man Hayden Hill. de la Vega Mendía is our man for his tactical kicking, electric footwork, and eight points off the kicking tee.