SLAR – 2022 MVP

The 2022 Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) was the second complete season of the South American professional league. Players from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, Paraguay, South Africa, and Uruguay were involved. The played for teams from the six aforementioned South American countries. Who was the MVP?

The two teams that reached the SLAR 2022 Final were the leading performers. They won more matches than the other four teams. Both completed two regular season wins over Los Jaguares XV. The Argentine side went from unbeaten in SLAR 2021 to third in the regular season in SLAR 2022 and a Semi Final loss against Selknam.

There were not many names from Los Jaguares XV who merit a place in the discussion of the SLAR 2022 MVP. Los Cafeteros Pro, not he other hand had star-performers including Julian Hernández, Eliseo Morales, Felipe Puertas and Colombia’s own Diver Ceballos.

The top four, though, as selected by ARN’s Paul Tait come from Peñarol and Selknam. A twitter pool asked which of the four names should be the SLAR 2022 MVP.

The four were Manuel Ardao and Felipe Etcheverry of Peñarol and Matías Garafulic and Domingo Saavedra of Selknam. Ardao won 49% of the vote. He was the only forwards shortlisted; the three other names played in the back-line.

Ardao impressed in winning turn-overs, scoring tries, tackling and as a ball-carrier. He looked like a player above that of the others on the field. He did so both while playing in his natural position of flanker and while playing at N8. This benefited the team with Peñarol able to give uncapped Uruguayans more opportunities.

Felipe Etcheverry was the most consistent play-maker in the league. The Uruguayan made the step-up to the understudy of Felipe Berchesi for Los Teros to being a 50-50 shot at starting in his place in upcoming international competition. Etcheverry improved his goal-kicking and ran the game superbly. He was a contact threat to defenses.

Selknam rotated notably during the season. The team that played in the home matches was their top line-up. Rotation was used in Paraguay while in Uruguay the team was back to full-strength but not for every match.

A player to always perform both when alongside the top names and in rotated line-ups was Matías Garafulic. His defense was very impressive. His tackles sent bodies to the floor with authority. He also won turn-overs, scored tries and had try assists.

Domingo Saavedra played a lot outside of Matías Garafulic. His season was another go many highs. All areas of his game saw him impressing in the South American league. This applied to more areas than just playing the game; Saavedra made the step-up to act as captain when required. The results were noteworthy.

Of the four though, there can only be one. ARN agrees with the poll results; Manuel Ardao is ARN’s SLAR 2022 MVP award winner.

https://twitter.com/AmericasOval/status/1528007471419252736?s=20&t=OIbED45CgdxexUs8RRAPuA