Team of the Week

It’s no surprise that Argentina contribute the bulk of this week’s selection. Their win over the Springboks instantly restored confidence in the beleaguered outfit and marked them as again a team to watch heading towards the 2019 World Cup. Elsewhere there were some notable performances in the opening week of the Top 14, the final week of the Canadian Rugby Championship, and the inaugural round of the Americas Rugby Challenge.

1 – Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Argentina) It’s been a while since the Pumas front row was heralded. That day has arrived and the threesome will have their due. Tetaz Chaparro was strong at the set piece and brave in defense. Alex Forrest also earns a tip of the cap for dismantling two Canadian internationals in the scrum for the Atlantic Rock.

2 – Agustín Creevy (Argentina) ‘Absolument magnifique’, as the French would say. Heroic in defense, hurtling his body towards Springbok attackers with reckless abandon. Refused to leave the field to be patched up. The standing ovation given at his eventual substitution said it all.

3 – Juan Figallo (Argentina) Completing the unit is the Saracens man who has made an immediate impact in his return from international exile. He bested the Beast and also threw himself into contact. He returns to England for the time being but must now be locked into Mario Ledesma’s World Cup plans.

4 – Guido Petti (Argentina) In the form of his life at the moment. Bumped off a couple tackles but made up for it with volume. His lineout jumping is world class and even more impressive considering he’s the shortest lock in the competition.

5 – Rodrigo Capó Ortega (Castres) The legend continues. 37 years young and still competing at the best of his abilities. Who would have backed a 120kg second row to pounce on a loose ball for a try after Scott Spedding’s line break?

6 – Marcos Kremer (Argentina) Another thunderous defensive performance. His tackle count is the best of Los Pumas and many stop the attacker dead in their tracks. Could afford to be more destructive with ball in hand but at the moment his job is to be the hitman.

7 – Matt Heaton (Atlantic Rock) Two exceptional matches from the openside in a span of four days. He was all over the pitch in the win over the Wolf Pack and then equally ubiquitous against the Blues in the final. Also a frequent target in the lineout, a somewhat forgotten skill for a player renowned for his tackling and support work.

8 – Grant Crowell (Prairie Wolf Pack) Three tries in two games to close as the leading scorer in the CRC. Immense with ball in hand and has turned himself into a specialist at the restarts. If the CRC was an opportunity to impress the national selectors he has taken it with both hands.

9 – Andrew Ferguson (Ontario Blues) Slides in ahead of Gonzalo Bertranou who steered the Pumas to their wonderful victory over the Springboks. Ferguson was the central figure for the Ontario Blues as they lifted the MacTier Cup. He scored 19 points against the Bears and while his goal kicking wasn’t on song in the final, the rest of his game was including some very deft box kicks that kept the Rock frustrated.

10 – Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina) The maestro. A full house for the second time in his career. Controlled the game in a vintage performance and led the way with 17 points. Gave the fans an awful right when he went down but he got up and finished the game. Vitally important to Los Pumas heading towards the World Cup.

11 – Juan Imhoff (Racing 92) Held up just inches short in the first half but found the try line in the second. His intercept and 60 metre run-in changed the game. Had the pass gone to hand it would have been a certain try for Toulon. Constantly came off his wing looking for work.

12 – José Manuel Diosa (Colombia) Led his country to a dream start at home against Guyana. Three tries and 26 points in all in the blowout victory. His distribution paved the way for several other scores with Los Tucanes touching down 11 times over 80 minutes.

13 – Matías Moroni (Argentina) Made the most of every opportunity on attack. Set up three tries and gave the Springboks fits in the outside channels. Didn’t have to do much defending but won a turnover. Back in contention for the regular starting spot but the battle with Matías Orlando among others is far from over.

14 – Bautista Delguy (Argentina) Mesmerizing with ball in hand. Completely fearless, willing to run from anywhere on the pitch. He backed himself when there seemed to be no space and beat an astonishing number of defenders. Two tries and loads of territory game. It’s easy to overlook his defensive frailties with such an immense contribution going forward.

15 – Sergio Alvarenga (Paraguay) Played flyhalf for the Yakarés in Medellín but demanded inclusion after scoring two tries and two snap drop goals to win the game against Mexico. The footballing skills in South America are well known and Alvarenga looked a class apart both with his attacking play and kicking.