Team of the Week

It was a jam-packed week with the conclusion of the Rugby Championship coinciding with the opening of the Americas Pacific Challenge. Unfortunately not many players stood out from those teams with Uruguay the best of the bunch. Elsewhere we plucked players from Italy, England, Argentina, and New Zealand with a few honorable mentions from Spain in our weekly round-up.

1 – Mateo Sanguinetti (Uruguay ‘A’) The scrum was completely dominant against Canada while Sanguinetti was also prominent in the loose. Eric Fry went well for Vannes and Bruno Postiglioni was a try-scorer in the upset win by Aubenas over Blagnac.

2 – Germán Kessler (Uruguay ‘A’) Near perfect at the set piece and physical in the loose. Must be high on Major League Rugby shopping lists given the shortage of quality hookers available. Martín García Veiga had a strong game for Barcelona, playing all 80 minutes and scoring in the win over Gernika.

3 – Eduardo Bello (Zebre) Went over an hour in his first match of the season after recovering from injury. His team were beaten by Glasgow but the young Argentine prop was combative in the loose and carried well. Francisco Gómez Kodela helped Lyon to victory over Racing 92.

4 – Brett Beukeboom (Cornish Pirates) The winning streak may be over but the Pirates got back on track against Nottingham. Their captain earned a rest in the final quarter after an influential match that saw him reach the tryline for a second time this season.

5 – Cam Dolan (Nottingham) Not a bad effort in his Championship debut. Stuck it out for a full 80 minutes and grabbed a try for good measure though his team were ultimately second best to Beukeboom’s Pirates. Matías Cabrera found the score sheet for Alcobendas in the draw with El Salvador.

6 – Pablo Matera (Argentina) It certainly wasn’t the result he had envisioned, but Matera is one Puma emerged with reputation intact after the second-half collapse against Australia. His first half try was one for the highlight reels, and he scored one turnover on a night when things just didn’t go to plan.

7 – Vicente Boronat (CASI) Two tries and a man-of-the-match performance against San Martín that did not go unnoticed. The 21-year-old miss out on his second u20 Championship last year due to injury but looks back to his best and ready to contend for a spot in the Argentina XV.

8 – Tyler Ardron (Bay of Plenty) Not one but two sterling efforts from the Steamers captain, who his hitting his stride just in time for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. The week started on Wednesday with a tough loss to Otago, and ended on Saturday with a win over Southland. Ardron was a standout on both sides of the ball in each.

9 – Santiago Arata (Uruguay ‘A’) It was a good game for Aldo Cornejo who scored a vital try for Independiente against Ordizia, but this week belongs to Arata. The little Uruguayan genius was at his very best against Canada, a complete nuisance who scored once and defended aggressively.

10 – AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks) The season hasn’t gone to plan for the Sharks but their star flyhalf has been class. On Saturday they scored a crucial win over Newcastle that may prove to be vital in the race against relegation with a half-dozen teams all in the mix. MacGinty only kicked five points but his tackling and attacking play were quality.

11 – Santiago Cordero (Exeter Chiefs) A nod to Franco Velarde, who also found the tryline for Barcelona. We can’t look past Cordero, however, whose brilliant form continues for the Chiefs. He had an excellent game against Bath, adding two line breaks to his total and creating several scoring opportunities.

12 – Bryce Campbell (London Irish) Handed a start and delivered as Irish thrashed Scottish in the battle of the exiles. Campbell crashed over for one try and played like an extra flanker, hitting countless rucks in support of his teammates.

13 – Juan Ignacio Brex (Benetton Treviso) In just his second game back and first start of the season, the powerful Argentine reminded us what he brings to the table. Gave the Kings all kinds of problems in the midfield and went clean through the line on four separate occasions.

14 – Leopoldo Herrera (Argentina XV) His team’s APC winning streak came to a screeching halt but the Pumitas star was impressive with ball in hand. His try at the end of the first half was of the sensational variety, one of the year’s best individual efforts.

15 – Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina) The best on the night in a striped jersey and likely the best at his position over the course of the Rugby Championship. Tore away for one try and did his best to keep the Pumas on the front foot with every counter attack.