Player of the Week – DeLeaka Menin

This past weekend saw the closure of the international test window. For Los Pumas it was another draw, an acceptable result given the off-field turmoil during the week. While few were truly exceptional, we must credit Felipe Ezcurra with a vastly improved showing from the New Zealand disaster. Bautista Delguy meanwhile produced another strong game as he looks ahead to a pivotal year in his young career.

There were other international sides competing albeit against themselves. The Men’s and Women’s Eagles entertained fans with some hard-fought intra-squad matches. Kristi Kirshe was the pick of the Women’s match while Martin Iosefo was dominant in the Golden Eagles Showdown Series. A special mention must go to Christian Dyer, the most impressive newcomer from the weekend with honorable mention to Nia Toliver and Jake Lachina.

In the club game we saw two Americas stalwarts going head-to-head at the new Brentford Community Stadium. Former Pumas skipper Agustín Creevy was ubiquitous in defense for the London Irish, a thorn in Sale’s side at the breakdown. Eagles flyhalf AJ MacGinty was a step ahead for Sharks, however, and contributed 11 points with the boot as the visitors took the win.

Our selection as player of the week, however, goes to a Canadian who was outstanding in defeat for Loughborough against Wasps. Within five minutes of kickoff DaLeaka Menin, wearing No3, had already won a turnover, produced two line breaks, and dominated the first scrum of the match. Canada’s coaches will be very pleased with the form of their exiles thus far in the Premier 15s, with Menin’s reputation as a first-class prop growing at the highest level of English rugby.

Just the first 5 mins of 🇨🇦DaLeaka Menin’s performance against Wasps on the weekend. Loughborough No3.

Turnovers 1⃣
Line Breaks 2⃣
Dominant Scrums 1⃣

Decent. pic.twitter.com/U8ILko6mfL

— Bryan Ray (@raysrugby) December 9, 2020