NEWS

Geico XV | Week 10

Loosehead Prop,  Nicolas Solveyra – Houston SaberCats

Solveyra had a solid day scrummaging helping the SaberCats establish an attacking platform against Old Glory.  With the ball in hand he made six carries for 44 meters, a line break, and two tackle breaks.  At the breakdown he had 10 ruck arrivals. 

Hooker, Pat O’Toole  – NOLA Gold

O’Toole’s presence commanding the NOLA scrum and mauls allowed the Gold to use two great attacking platforms against Utah.  Directing the NOLA maul aided him in scoring two tries.  Around the park he made 13 carries for 102 meters, three tackle breaks, and an offload.  On defense he completed 12 tackles and had 24 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.

Tighthead Prop, Charlie Abel – Los Angeles Giltinis

Abel helped LA establish an attacking platform against Jamie Mackintosh. When he had the ball in hand he made positive plays with eight carries for 41 meters, a tackle break and an offload.  On defense he completed 12 tackles and had 23 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Left Lock, Nate Brakeley – Rugby United New York

Brakely put in another high work rate performance for New York which has been his trademark the last three seasons.  He made seven carries for 24 meters on attack.  Everywhen when he needed to be making 11 tackles on defense and having 25 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. In the aerial game he came down with four lineout takes.

Right Lock, Nathan Den Hoedt – Los Angeles Giltinis

Den Hoedt proved a valuable strength in the engine room for LA’s scrum after two poor performances in recent weeks.  Where he continues to shine is his high work rate and in the air as he made it difficult for Austin in their lineout stealing one and disrupting several others while also coming down with 8 lineout takes.  On attack he made eight carries for 24 meters and an offload.  On defense he completed 11 tackles and had 35 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Blindside Flanker, Angus Cottrell – Los Angeles Giltinis

Cottrell’s performance against the Gilgronis was a key cog in the Giltinis attack.  When they needed a hard carry he’d open a door making 11 carries for 78 meters, three line breaks, three tackle breaks, and five offloads.  On defense he completed seven tackles and had 24 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Openside Flanker, Andrew Guerra – NOLA Gold

Guerra continues to have an excellent rookie season throwing his body at rucks and getting his hands on the ball to earn steals or penalties.  On Saturday he completed a breakdown steal and had 31 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.  On attack he made 10 carries for 36 meters and two tackle breaks, on defense he completed 13 tackles. 

No 8., Wian Conradie – New England Free Jacks

Conradie was a major piece of the New England attack, when they needed someone to keep them in the game he did so.  He scored two tries from 12 carries for 105 meters, a line break, five tackle breaks, and an offload.  On defense he completed nine tackles and had nine ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Scrum-half, Andy Ellis – Rugby United New York

Ellis was the maestro of New York’s attack against New England.  Whether it was in open play or out of the ruck he identified the gaps in the Free Jacks line and would send a pass to a waiting teammate who’d break through.

Fly-half, Jason Robertson – Old Glory DC

Robertson managed the weather and the attack for Old Glory as they fought hard in a win against the SaberCats.  On attack he made 11 carries for 74 meters, a line break, five tackle breaks, and an offload.  He scored eleven points from a conversion, two penalties, and a drop goal. On defense he completed seven tackles.  He used his foot to control territory making 18 kicks for 649 meters. 

Left Wing,  Julian Dominguez Widmer – NOLA Gold

Dominguez is one of the most powerful ball runners in Major League Rugby.  When he scored he burst through several defenders that had the bead to stop him.  On attack he made seven carries for 79 meters, a line break, four tackle breaks, and two offloads.  On defense he completed seven tackles and had 10 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Inside Center, Bautista Ezcurra – Rugby ATL

Ezcurra scored two tries including a seven pointer against Seattle on Sunday.  On 11 carries he made 79 meters, two line breaks, and a tackle break.  Without the ball he was physical making 10 tackles on defense.  In the breakdown he completed a breakdown steal and had 11 ruck arrivals.  He contributed to Atlanta’s control of territory with four kicks for 221 meters. 

Outside Center, Bryce Campbell – Austin Gilgronis

Campbell was the shining star for Austin in a difficult match against the Giltinis.  When Austin needed to make it happen, the ball went to him as he made 17 carries for 110 meters, a tackle break, and an offload.  On defense he made 11 tackles and had 18 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Right Wing, Michael Dabulas – Old Glory DC

Dabulas had a solid day on a rain soaked pitch scoring an important try for Old Glory which set the tone for the remainder of the second half.  On attack he made four carries for 59 meters, a line break, and a tackle break.  

Fullback, Mikey Te’O – Utah Warriors

Te’o, dangerous as ever, torched the NOLA defense more often choosing exits on foot than kicking.  He scored a seven-point try from 11 carries for 157 meters, a line break, and three tackle breaks.  He also worked the territory game with eight kicks for 230 meters. 

Written by Aaron Castro