Team of the Week

International rugby is back in full force with the June tours, Nations Cup, and World Rugby u20 Championship all proving eventful over the past week. There were still a few domestic players to watch in the PRO match in Ohio and the Top 14 knockouts, but most eyes were on the big games and with few exceptions those players comprise this week’s team. Argentina had no less than three sides in action this past weekend. Next week we add the Eagles, and perhaps a rebound from Uruguay? The more selection quandaries the better!

1 – Djustice Sears-Duru (Canada) Opportunity knocks sometimes, and the youngster from Oakville took his chance and then some. His immense power in the contact area is something to behold, and he seems to be improving in the scrum with every outing. His best performance in a red jersey and one that could prove to be an early watershed moment in his career.

2 – Agustín Creevy (Argentina) It wasn’t the most convincing performance from the Pumas but the captain was his usual self, leading from the front. Challenged at the breakdown and set a high standard at the set piece.

3 – Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Argentina) With only uncapped youngsters behind him, the Pumas tighthead had to tough it out for most of the match against a very game Italian pack. Achieved all that was asked of him in the scrum and had a few important carries in the tight.

4 – Franco Molina (Argentina u20) Jamie Cudmore led from the front and scored for Canada, but Molina cannot be denied after a superb man-of-the-match performance for the Pumitas who defeated South Africa at the u20 Championship. His offload gave Tomás Malanos a clear run to the line and was just one of several big carries to go with his high quality lineout work.

5 – Evan Olmstead (Canada) Like his second row partner, Olmstead set the tone early in the physicality department and when he stole a ball at the lineout a collective cheer resonated from Canadian fans. Took a couple silly penalties but the positives far outweighed the negatives as the Canadian pack moved forward from their World Cup disappointment.

6 – Marcos Kremer (Argentina u20) Another outstanding prospect for Los Pumas whose impact would not be accurately reflected on a stats sheet. Physically dominant at the ruck and tackle, he slowed down South African ball all game long and put in a huge shift in the trenches.

7 – Lucas Rumball (Canada) Last year’s national u20 captain has made a seamless transition to test rugby, as many thought he might. Disrupted at the breakdown and put in some excellent carries, including one through heavy traffic that led to an early try for Taylor Paris.

8 – Facundo Isa (Argentina) His incredible form continues as he rampaged all over the pitch in Santa Fe. It’s been a long time since the Pumas had such a physically dominant ball carrier.

9 – Martín Landajo (Argentina) With Tomás Cubelli hot on his heels and Gonzalo Bertranou not far behind, Landajo has had to step it up this year. His service and decision making has been spot on with the Jaguares and was again for the Pumas against the Azzurri.

10 – Nicolás Sánchez (Argentina) A nod of approval to two other Argentines in Joaquín Díaz Bonilla and Domingo Miotti, but there can be only one. Sánchez is the master and one of the world’s best, and he showed it again against Italy with a scintillating mix of running, passing, and kicking.

11 – Alex Elkins (Ohio Aviators) This is a somewhat controversial selection not because Elkins didn’t play well, but because Manuel Montero had a fine game for the Pumas. A virtual coin-toss decision goes to the Ohio specimen, who scored two impressive tries and ripped the ball away to earn a tackle in his best performance thus far.

12 – Juan Martín Hernández (Argentina) All the tricks came out from ‘El Mago’ against a resilient Italian side who took some stopping and very nearly stole it. Some brilliant tactical kicking and a grubber that put Montero over, and that’s not forgetting his usual passing routine that makes others look mere mortals.

13 – Joaquín Paz (Argentina XV) Close call between the senior Matías Moroni, but Paz should be rewarded for a two-try performance and another dominant display in the midfield. Has really come on this year is putting series pressure on the incumbents to keep him out of the Pumas side.

14 – Spike Davis (Ohio Aviators) If it’s not Elkins bashing the door down, it’s Davis. Two wrecking-ball wingers proved far too much for San Diego to deal with, and that’s leaving out Mason Baum, yet another howitzer for a wing. Davis shrugs tacklers with ease and while still a project player, looks more and more comfortable each time he barrels down the pitch.

15 – Matt Evans (Canada) If Sears-Duru was man-of-the-match, Evans was a close second. Absolutely top-drawer in everything he did, whether running and creating, kicking, tackling, or even clearing rucks. Full marks for a player whose talents are underappreciated while hidden in the English second division.