Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Major League Rugby heading for a photo finish

Seattle Seawolves player Samu Manoa in action for USA at the 2015 World Cup (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

There’s only one week remaining in Major League Rugby before the finals series kicks off and the competition is still anyone’s game.

ADVERTISEMENT

MLR is the premier professional rugby competition in the USA and is now well into its second year.

Last year’s competition was contested by eight teams from across the United States. The Seattle Seawolves (a team which Super Rugby heavyweights, the Crusaders, own a minority share in) emerged victorious at the end of the tournament. They contested the final against the Glendale Raptors – the league’s minor premiers.

2019 has seen the inclusion of two new teams: Rugby United New York and the Toronto Arrows, Canada’s first entry into the competition. Three more East Coast teams are also on track to join the competition next year, which will give rise to a conference system.

Whilst a few teams have struggled at times throughout the season (the two Texas-based sides have amassed only 8 victories over the two years of competition to date), the top end of the table has been exceptionally competitive in 2019.

Heading into the final round, the Toronto Arrows, Rugby United New York, the Seattle Seawolves and New Orleans Gold are all vying for three positions in the knockout rounds of the tournament and sit flush on 53 competition points. San Diego Legion have already confirmed their place in the finals with 57 points to their name.

To add to the drama, Toronto host RUNY this weekend. That match will likely see one team knocked out of the playoffs a week early. Other fixtures see the Utah Warriors host the Houston SaberCats, San Diego at home to NOLA Gold and the Austin Elite travelling to Seattle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

H
Hellhound 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

Rassie has done very well with the Boks. The well will certainly not dry up soon. The amount of young talent coming through, that don't even stand a chance of making it in before 2027, is just absolutely amazing.


However, Rassie has proven to be a rugby genius. He will never rest on his laurels. It's why he keeps evolving tactics, keeping everyone on their toes. He doesn't underestimate any team. He is very aware of just how close the top teams is.


There will be no complacency not will he relax with his main stars. He is very astute, knowing that his team is getting older and thus giving the younger players much more playtime than what any other coach would do.


By the time the 2027 WC comes around, he will be prepared to defend his title and he knows one bad day will end a triple WC crown. Competition is that close. The Boks are in transition, even though it doesn't look like it.


After the 2027 WC, most of the double (possible triple) WC champs players will become unavailable due to retirement from international rugby. Rassie is already preparing the replacements, getting caps under their belts.


The top teams is just too close to underestimate and no Bok will be allowed to get complacent. Although they are by far the current most successful team and clearly the best by miles, they are not undefeatable.


Very tough to beat yes, but they can lose on the day. I am not worried. The youngsters by 2027 WC will be experienced with lots of years ahead and that should be a warning to the rest of the pack biting at their heels. Love them or hate them, but you have to admire the Boks. They truely deserve to be top dogs currently.

8 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Let's be real about these All Blacks Let's be real about these All Blacks
Search