NEWS

Geico XV | Week 11

Loosehead Prop, Chance Wenglewski – Rugby ATL

Chance work rate against the Giltinis was massive for Rugby ATL against Los Angeles.  His presence around the breakdown was felt through his 32 ruck arrivals.  On defense he completed every single tackle he attempted with 24. 

Hooker, Dean Muir – San Diego Legion

Dean helped lead a strong attacking platform for the Legion against the SaberCats.  He scored a try from five carries for 26 meters and two tackle breaks. On defense he completed seven tackles, in the breakdown he completed two breakdown steals and had 13 ruck arrivals.

Tighthead Prop, Charlie Abel – Los Angeles Giltinis

Abel was one of the key players who kept the Giltinis engine going and in the match.  On attack he made 16 carries for 81 meters, a line break, three tackle breaks, and two offloads.  On defense he completed six tackles and had 37 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Left Lock, Josh Larsen – New England Free Jacks

Larsen put in a tough effort for the Free Jacks in some hard conditions scoring the home side’s only try which proved to be the game winner.  Additionally on attack he made 10 carries for 43 meters.  On defense he completed 12 tackles and had 20 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.  In the air he proved an important target coming down with three lineout takes.  

Right Lock, Johan Momsen – Rugby ATL

Momsen was a monster in the air for Rugby ATL coming down with seven lineout takes and three lineout steals. He helped seal the win in a game winning counter-ruck on the five meter line.  On attack he made six carries for 25 meters.  On defense he completed 21 tackles and had 12 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.

Blindside Flanker, Matt Heaton – Rugby ATL

Heaton put in a tremendous effort in both organizing the Atlanta defense as well as completing 16 tackles, many of them at key moments.  On attack he made five carries for 46 meters, a line break, and two tackle breaks.  In the breakdown he had 29 ruck arrivals. 

Openside Flanker, Bailey Wilson – Utah Warriors

Throughout the match Wilson found himself in the right place at the right time.  He burst through the Gilgronis line for an intercept cutting the field to score a seven-point try. In total on attack he made three carries for 93 meters, a line break, and a tackle break.  On defense he completed 11 tackles and had 12 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.  For a struggling Utah Lineout he proved to be the target of choice in the air coming down with 6 lineout takes.  

No 8., Kara Pryor – Rugby United New York

Hard carrying day for Pryor, when New York needed a line broken, the ball was fed to him on attack.  He scored a try from six carries for 64 meters, a line break, and seven tackle breaks.  On defense he completed seven tackles and in the breakdown he completed a breakdown steal and had 16 ruck arrivals.

Scrum-half, Andy Ellis – Rugby United New York

Ellis was the spark plug to the New York attack, finding holes in the opposition line as usual.  However this time took the ball down on seven carries for 73 meters, a line break, two tackle breaks, and two offloads.  He used his foot to help control territory with five carries for 128 meters. 

Fly-half, Calvin Whiting – Utah Warriors

Moving in the starting fly-half role for an injured Hagen Schulte, Whiting directed the Warriors attack around the park.  At the tee he scored 11 points from four conversions and a penalty. On attack he made nine carries for 66 meter, five tackle breaks, and an 1 offload.  On defense he completed 14 tackles. He helped control possession from his foot with four kicks for 195 meters.

Left Wing,  Mika Kruse – Utah Warriors

Mika was a threat every time he got his hands on the ball, that threat often forced the defense to overcommit. On attack he scored a try from seven carries for 116 meters, two line breaks, a tackle break, and two offloads.

Inside Center, Tiaan Loots – San Diego Legion

Since joining the roster mid-season Loots has been a steadying and physical hand in the midfield for San Diego.  On Saturday he showed that again with an all around performance scoring a try from eight carries for 54 meters, a tackle break, and an offload.  On defense he completed 15 tackles and had 11 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Outside Center, Frank Halai – Austin Gilgronis

In a match where Austin struggled, Halai answered the bell with every carry to give the Gilgronis an opportunity.  On attack he made 10 carries for 130 meters, a line break, five tackle breaks, and an offload.  On defense he made five tackles and had 10 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Right Wing, Chris Mattina – Rugby United New York

Mattina stepped forward to serve as a critical playmaker and utility for Rugby United New York. On attack he scored a try from six carries for 92 meters, two line breaks, two tackle breaks, and two offloads.  Additionally he accounted for nine more points from three conversions and a penalty. On defense he made 10 tackles and had eight ruck arrivals in the breakdown.   

Fullback, Mikey Te’o – Utah Warriors

Te’o has been on a tear commanding the Warriors backline with tremendous precision marshaling wings and making gains on his own.  Against Austin on Saturday night he had another tremendous performance on attack scoring a try from 12 carries for 133 meters, a line break, three tackle breaks, and two offloads.  He also aided in control of territory with six kicks for 156 meters. 

Written by Aaron Castro