Team of the Week

The numbers were low with most teams sitting the weekend out on account of the European Champions Cup final, but thankfully Los Jaguares performed reasonably well and there were two PRO Rugby matches to run the rule over. This weekend the Top 14 returns and it won’t be long until the international sides are lining up for inspection.

1 – Santiago García Botta (Jaguares) Named in the official SANZAAR Team of the Week for his hard work around the pitch that included a try from close range. Did well enough in the scrum, conceding one penalty but making up for it elsewhere.

2 – Agustín Creevy (Jaguares) Played to his usual high standards with a huge number of carries and good work at the set piece. Honorable mention goes to Ray Barkwill for another entertaining effort with Sacramento, even putting in a clearing kick as a stand-in winger.

3 – Olive Kilifi (Sacramento) Crashed over for a try on one of several big carries. Held up the scrum reasonably well against a very difficult Denver side, but his team came up short out wide.

4 – Tomás Lavanini (Jaguares) Huge match from a huge man. Thunderous with ball in hand, scoring his first Super Rugby try in support of Joaquín Tuculet. Also earned a spot to the SANZAAR Team of the Week.

5 – Tai Tuisamoa (San Diego) A man-of-the-match performance right in the thick of the front lines in a last-second win over Ohio. Dynamic with ball in hand and powerful in the tackle.

6 – Pablo Matera (Jaguares) Smashed into the Sharks defense all game, putting his team on the front foot and tying up the Sharks back row. Also contributed two turnovers at the breakdown.

7 – Matt Hughston (Ohio) Lost flanker partner Filippo Ferrarini and played left-right with Chad Joseph. A strong target in the lineout and another big effort in the loose, carrying and tackling all afternoon.

8 – Sebastián Kalm (Ohio) Like Hughston, his work rate was outstanding once again. Burrowed over for a well-deserved try from close range that should have been the decisive score.

9 – Martín Landajo (Jaguares) Snappy service and an excellent overall performance sees him stay in check with Tomás Cubelli for the starting Pumas jersey. Scored a try and proved an instigator all evening.

10 – Sebastián Poet (Tarbes) The game was marred by an ugly incident that saw two players sent off in the 5th minute. Poet kept his composure and steered his team around the pitch, kicking four penalty goals in the 15-6 win over Dax.

11 – Chris Wyles (Saracens) Winning a European title pretty much gets you in the side by default, but the former Eagles skipper earns his place on merit. A handful of strong carries and no mistakes to speak of in the crushing intensity of a Cup final.

12 – Juan Martín Hernandez (Jaguares) Controlled the midfield with strong decision making. Mixed well between running, passing, and kicking, and made all of his tackles.

13 – Matías Orlando (Jaguares) Two line breaks in a solid match outside Hernandez. Ran strong lines off his midfield mate and came up quickly in defense.

14 – Lucas Caneda (Provence) A standout in a losing effort against Perpignan. Wearing no11 but playing on the right wing, used his searing pace to finish off a cracking try just before the half.

15 – Maximo de Achaval (Denver) Tough call with Joaquín Tuculet playing well for Los Jaguares, but de Achaval must get his due for two tries in the big win over Sacramento. Covered well and used his boot to good effect.