Team of the Week

Last week was incredibly busy in the rugby world. Two rounds of the inaugural Americas Rugby Challenge and a full flight of professional rugby across the globe. This week’s selection has players from New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup, the English Premiership, the Pro D2, the French Top 14 and Pro 12, and the Guinness Pro 14.

1 – Carlos Muzzio (Mont-de-Marsan) Has taken no time to find his form in the new season. Stade Montois got the best of the scrum with their Argentine stalwart showing no signs of slowing down in the loose just a few days after celebrating his 34th birthday.

2 – Diego Posada (Colombia) The Tucanes forwards in general deserve applause with their dominant set piece at the forefront of their historic ARCh tournament win. Posada was the spearhead of the scrum and thrower in the lineout, he was also effective in the loose with one try against Mexico.

3 – Ramiro Herrera (Stade Français) Named in the Top 14 weekly selection and we agree. Made a couple crunching tackles and rock solid in the scrum against French international Jefferson Poirot. With Juan Figallo now out until 2019, expect Herrera to be back with the Pumas in November.

4 – Tyler Ardron (Bay of Plenty) Back into the second row he had a strong game despite his team coming up short against perennial champions Canterbury. Scored a try, prominent in the lineout, and busy in defense. Will Kingsley Jones be tempted to play him at lock in November?

5 – Mariano Galarza (Gloucester) A first-up win over Northampton is a good way to start the season. Galarza was his usual self, the main man in the lineout and the top tackler in defense. Conor Keys went 80 minutes in his professional debut for Rotherham Titans.

6 – Leonardo Glizt (Paraguay) The most effective ball carrier in the second-best team in the tournament. His long, loping strides are deceiving as he showed with a breakaway score, one of two against Guyana. A nod also to Colombia’s own wrecking ball Gerson Ortiz.

7 – Facundo Bosch (Agen) Made his test debut as a hooker – his usual position – and a week later asked to play on the flank against Perpignan. He delivered with a terrific performance, with several strong carries and even more tackles. Paraguay’s Carlos Plate was one of the best loosies in the ARCh.

8 – Sebastián Mejía (Colombia) It’s no surprise to see him named Player of the Tournament. The Tucanes captain was once against outstanding in all facets of play. It’s not yet clear how Colombia fits into the approaching South American professional competition but it would be a shame to see a player of Mejía’s class left out.

9 – Agustín Ormaechea (Mont-de-Marsan) Back up in the Pro D2 this season and running the show for Stade Montois. In complete control as his team bashed their way to victory over Béziers.

10 – José Manuel Diosa (Colombia) Comfortable at either 10 or 12, Diosa controlled play from the flyhalf spot with both his running and exceptional kicking skills. He was the leading points scorer in the competition, even chipping over the drop goal in the de facto final against Paraguay.

11 – Dan Moor (Yorkshire Carnegie) We won’t claim that Carnegie went well – they didn’t – but thankfully their Canadian winger got his season off to a solid start. He scored his team’s only try against Hartpury and fought for every inch in his Championship debut.

12 – Bryce Campbell (London Irish) It took a few minutes to get going but once he found his timing he battered into the Ealing backline to get the Exiles on the front foot. His Eagles mate Paul Lasike also showed well in a 15-minute cameo for Harlequins.

13 – DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors) The Warriors just barely squeaked by Connacht but a win’s a win. van der Merwe made the most of every touch of the ball and created a couple line breaks. Played on the wing but we’ve a few of those and need a centre, where he might yet feature again for Canada soon.

14 – Neider García (Colombia) Short and compact but very rapid, García finished as the top try scorer in the ARCh. He had three in the last two games and generally proved a complete menace every time he touched the ball.

15 – Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs) A stunning victory over Leicester got the 2017 Premiership Champions off to a running start. Cordero didn’t score but he was brilliant with ball in hand, defeating numerous would-be tacklers with his world-class stepping ability. Played on the wing but with a number of contenders out wide we’ve drafted him to fullback.