Team of the Week

Our first weekly selection of the new year had contributions from the Challenge and Champions Cups, Spain’s Liga Heineken, the RFU Championship, the Pro D2, and a few mentions for the Major League Rugby preseason match between Glendale and San Diego. Unfortunately we were unable to watch Austin and Houston play while NOLA’s win over the Dallas Reds didn’t merit consideration given its lack of competitive parity.

1 – Carlos Muzzio (Mont-de-Marsan) It all started with the scrum for Montois as they pulverized Nevers in the first half en route to a dominant win. Muzzio put in an hour’s worth of graft to secure the result. San Diego’s Nathan Sylvia looked to be adjusting well to loosehead prop as he gave Glendale major problems in the scrum.

2 – Joe Taufete’e (Worcester) There was plenty of competition this week and it’s Big Joe who gets the nod. The Eagles starter played an important role for the Warriors as they second qualification for the Challenge Cup Quarter Finals in dramatic fashion. Kapeli Pifeleti impressed for San Diego, while two Argentines in Spain – Gernika’s Bruno Mercanti and Martín García Veiga of Barcelona – were also in consideration.

3 – Jerónimo Negrotto (Mont-de-Marsan) The anchor, an immovable object on the other side of the scrum. Montois are also inching closer to Top 14 contention and their Argentine book-ends have played a major role this season. Ramiro Herrera held up the Stade Français scrum in the big win over Pau.

4 – Juan Pablo Guido (Aparejadores) He’s really a back row in our books but it’s lock where he’s been playing in Spain and where he was outstanding on Sunday. Dominant in the lineout and ubiquitous around the pitch particularly going forward.

5 – Guido Albertario (VRAC) A try-scoring performance and 80 minutes of effort contributed heavily to the win over Cisneros. VRAC have now pushed ahead of Alcobendas for top spot in the Liga Heineken with eight rounds to play.

6 – Hanco Germishuys (Glendale Raptors) Two tries against San Diego including the game-winner in stoppage time. The first needed some finishing down the left sideline. He adds a different dimension to the Raptors attack that was perhaps missing last season.

7 – Facundo Bosch (Agen) It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Argentine will move to La Rochelle next season. Bosch was again the best player for Agen in a losing effort against Benetton Treviso. Devin Short was a standout in the San Diego pack against Glendale.

8 – Facundo Isa (Toulon) The poor season continued for Toulon as they suffered a rare loss on their home turf to Edinburgh. On the plus was the performance of Isa who snuck in for his first try since returning from injury. He wasn’t given much room to attack but was excellent in defense.

9 – Nick Boyer (San Diego Legion) A close call with Juan Manuel Lescano in top form for Ordizia. Boyer gets the nod for very nearly lifting the Legion to a win over Glendale. Showed his strength by bumping off Raptors back row Connor Cook for a memorable try.

10 – Bautista Güemes (Barcelona) Named player of the week in the Liga Heineken after his drop-goal in stoppage time gave Barcelona the win over Santboiana. Added two conversions and used his boot to gain territory on a dusty pitch. Valentín Cruz was also a standout for Ordizia, while Shane O’Leary played well in defeat for Nottingham.

11 – Franco Velarde (Barcelona) Not ideal conditions but at least it wasn’t the mud-bowl at Urbieta. The Chilean winger ran hard all game long and was unstoppable down the blindside from a simple first-phase attack to score a vital try.

12 – Will Hooley (Bedford Blues) With an abundance of options at No10 we’ve drafted Hooley out one spot. We reckon his strength in defense would make him a decent 12 if called upon. He led the Blues to a superb win over Ealing, contributing 13 points with the boot and sparking the first try with two touches on a counter-attack.

13 – Mika Kruse (Glendale Raptors) Still a work in progress but it’s his creativity in attack that sets him apart. Kept the San Diego defense guessing and put his outside backs in space with some unorthodox passing. Set to play a pivotal role for the Raptors this season.

14 – Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs) Not quite as influential as he has been but an average game for Cordero is above-average for most. Broke clear once and managed a couple offloads as the Chiefs overwhelmed Castres to keep their Champions Cup Quarter Final hopes alive.

15 – Martín Bustos Moyano (Bayonne) His incisive attacks kept Bayonne on the front foot which he then made count with three well-struck penalty goals. His team are pushing for promotion once again the veteran fullback will once again play a critical role if the team is to make a return to the Top 14.