Geico XV: Week 15

Published on June 29, 2021 under Major League Rugby (MLR) News Release

Loosehead Prop,  Jamie Mackintosh - Austin Gilgronis

Mackintosh set up a great platform for the Gilgronis to worth with and got after it in the breakdown completing a breakdown steal and 17 ruck arrivals.  On attack he scored a try from seven carries for 17 meters.  On defense he completed seven tackles.

Hooker, Pat O'Toole - NOLA Gold

O'Toole made a heavy impact when it mattered taking the hard carries off first or second phase directly into contact five times for 17 meters, and on one occasion he scored an important try.  On defense he completed 7 tackles and had 16 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.

Tighthead Prop, Wikus Groenewald - Rugby ATL

Groenewald's performance in the scrum and around the park aided Atlanta in securing a needed bonus point.  He put his power on display when he had the ball in hand, often taking several defenders.  He scored a try from four carries for 21 meters.  ON defense he completed four tackles and had 12 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.  

Left Lock, Nate Brakeley - Rugby United New York

A true operator in the aerial game, Brakeley came down with five lineout and a lineout steal against Toronto.  Around the park he put his workrate on display making 11 tackles and having 28 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.  On attack he made six carries for 29 meters, two tackle breaks, and an offload. 

Right Lock, Matt Jensen - Utah Warriors

Jensen continues to come into form on attack with six carries for 41 meters, a line break, and a tackle break.  On defense he completed 12 tackles and had 25 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. He was a solid option for the Warriors in the aerial game coming down with five lineout takes.

Blindside Flanker, Andrew Guerra - NOLA Gold

Guerra continues to have a monster rookie season.  Aggressively going after the holes in the New England defense on his eight carries for 46 meters, a line break, and two tackle breaks.  On defense he completed 17 tackles and had 21 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.  Showed his versatility being an option for the aerial game with two lineout takes.

Openside Flanker, Hanco Germishuys - Rugby United New York

Germishuys had a huge workrate game putting in hard carries, contributing at the breakdown and in defense.  On attack he scored two tries from 12 carries for 58 meters, a line break, and an offload.  On defense he made 12 tackles and had 16 ruck arrivals in the breakdown.

No 8., Lachlan McCaffrey - Austin Gilgronis

Sometimes a player wills their team forward and on Saturday that was McCaffrey.  He caused problems for the San Diego defense by buttressing what was previously a soft ruck for Austin on his 25 ruck arrivals.  On attack he scored a seven-point try from seven carries for 39 meters and two offloads. On defense he completed 15 tackles and also made two kicks in play for 82 meters.

Scrum-half, Cristian Rodriguez - Los Angeles Giltinis

In his first start, Rodriguez brought the same energy as the incumbent starter Goddard would for the Giltinis. Finding gaps in the Seattle line he scored a try from five carries for 86 meters, a line break and three tackle breaks.

Fly-half, Bautista Ezcurra - Rugby ATL

Ezcurra controlled the territory game continuously flipping the field against Old Glory by making 17 kicks for 554 meters.  On attack he made five carries for 51 meters and a tackle break.  He scored seven points from two conversions and a penalty.

Left Wing,  Bjorn Basson - San Diego Legion

Basson was a machine for the Legion creating offense when it was needed with a key intercept or breaking through when his side was on the march.  He scored two tries from eight carries for 150 meters, two line breaks, four tackle breaks, and an offload.

Inside Center, Calvin Whiting - Utah Warriors

Whiting went to work around the park shredding through the Houston defense on 14 carries for 115 meters, two tackle breaks, and two offloads. On defense he completed 14 tackles and had 11 ruck arrivals at the breakdown.  He scored two points from a conversion.

Outside Center, Bryce Campbell - Austin Gilgronis

Campbell put together another solid performance in the mid-field scoring a try from eight carries for 56 meters, a line break, and two tackle breaks. On defense he completed 8 tackles and had 12 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Right Wing, Sitiveni Tamaivena - Seattle Seawolves

Tamaivena was a gamebreaker with the ball in hand scoring a try and almost getting another from five carries for 70 meters, a line break, three tackle breaks, and an offload.  On defense he completed five tackles and had 13 ruck arrivals in the breakdown. 

Fullback, Carl Meyer - NOLA Gold

Meyer back for his first start from injury proved key in the Gold win against the Free Jacks as he used his foot to control territory kicking six times for 171 meters.  On attack he scored five points from a conversion and a penalty, and made seven carries for 57 meters. 

Written by Aaron Castro

Major League Rugby Stories from June 29, 2021

• Geico XV: Week 15 - MLR

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