Team of the Week

With the only notable 15-a-side rugby this past weekend the Super Rugby finals, this week we’ve opted for a special selection. To celebrate the impressive Rugby World Cup Sevens hosted in San Francisco we’ve selected our form team from that tournament instead. There were mixed fortunes for the Americas teams involved so our choices come from three sides – Argentina, Chile, and the USA. While Canada placed higher, the only loss suffered by the Chileans was a stoppage-time defeat to Ireland. As such we’ve selected two of their standouts to the side.

1 – Felipe Brangier (Chile) Absolutely outstanding once again as he led from the front. Played a part in a huge number of his team’s tries either with the final pass or the line break to start it. An exemplary captain who would compete for a place in any side across the Americas.

2 – Pedro Verschae (Chile) Perhaps a surprise package given that his spot is typically occupied by Julio Blanc. An outside back in the 15-a-side game, he proved effective in the rover role for the Cóndores. Ran strong support lines and notched three tries.

3 – Matías Osadczuk (Argentina) On the short list for player of the tournament from the Americas. Deceivingly powerful with ball in hand, he has a seemingly endless supply of energy that keeps him involved on every scoring opportunity. Has all the makings of a future Pumas captain on the HSBC circuit.

4 – Madison Hughes (USA) Will be bitterly disappointed with the outcome but it is only a reflection of his competitiveness. A top-6 finish is still an admirable result and Hughes was a key part of achieving that. With two years until the Olympics there is a very real chance he could emerge a medal-winner.

5 – Lautaro Bazán Vélez (Argentina) Aggressive and cunning like all good halfbacks. For a relatively small physique he is not afraid to put the shoulder into anyone. Ran a little hot at times but he was a creative force for the Pumas and looks a certain Olympian come 2020.

6 – Santiago Mare (Argentina) Just 21 years old and immensely talented. Not the quickest off the mark but his vision and feel for the game more than make up for it. The Pumitas graduate had an eye-catching tournament that may seem him hauled back into the XVs program, with the Jaguares a real possibility in the near future.

7 – Perry Baker (USA) Perhaps not at his very best and certainly he’d like to have the last game against Argentina back. His contributions were not unnoticed, however, as he remained one of his country’s top all-around performers. Franco Sábato also played well for Los Pumas.