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Major League Rugby

New Hawaii club backed by ex-All Blacks won't play in 2021 MLR

(Photo by Michael Bradley/AFP via Getty Images)

Kanaloa Hawaii, the proposed new club backed by a raft of former All Blacks, will not be joining the 2021 Major League Rugby season in America.

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Icons of the Test game such as Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko were involved in the launch of the club that was to be the first Maori and Polynesian owned and operated professional rugby set-up in the world. 

It’s ultimate aim was to develop a team that would participate in Super Rugby in years to come, but it’s initial first step – joining the 2021 MLR – has now been scuppered.

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RugbyPass brings you the latest episode of The Breakdown, the Sky Sport NZ rugby programme

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RugbyPass brings you the latest episode of The Breakdown, the Sky Sport NZ rugby programme

A statement from the American league read: “Major League Rugby (MLR) announced that the exclusive negotiating agreement it executed with Kanaloa Hawai’i Rugby Ltd has expired.  

“MLR and Kanaloa Hawai’i have not reached any agreement by which this team may join MLR for the 2021 season. 

“MLR commissioner George Killebrew has encouraged this potential ownership group to continue with its development plans so that it may be in a position to join MLR for a future MLR season.”

A letter written by club CEO Tracy Atiga in July had stated: “By taking on the responsibility of a club, the owners can provide direct solutions to challenges that Maori and Pasifika players face in the rugby industry.”

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However, that plan soon ran into trouble, particularly when concerns were raised in Hawaii by a local senator who questioned the plans that Kanaloa would be playing MLR there.

Having had their initial application accepted by MLR HQ in Dallas, Kanaloa had 90 days to finalise terms and meet the necessary benchmarks before their membership was to be formally ratified ahead of the 2021 expansion season for the American tournament. 

That deadline has now passed, with the MLR claiming they are planning for next year minus the newly proposed Hawaii club.

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BH 12 minutes ago
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JW 30 minutes ago
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That's the definition of duping.

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JW 32 minutes ago
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SS 1 hour ago
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Don't get too excited about your victories over the ABs. 1 point in the RWC, then 4 and 6 in the RC, with an SA try that should never have been given. And they scored 4 tries in one game through your much vaunted defense.

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JW 1 hour ago
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SS 1 hour ago
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I remember the good old days of the All Blacks being able to do that. On our way again, but slowly

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JW 1 hour ago
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I don't think you necessarily want to do that Francisco. Coaching the "gift" out of Jordan Petaia was one of the main reasons for his decline, and no doubt his decision to look to another sport.


Then on top of that you have the picture of three games before you first lions test, so you don't have enough to time to "bed in a more friendly interface" really. You could lean on it by moving the pieces around, and possibly different personal around it, but think it would be more wise to let it play out. It will be hard for Schmidt to hold himself back though.

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Bruiser 1 hour ago
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Canes well past his best. Ardie will shine. He has played 7 all season in Japan

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NH 2 hours ago
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Head high tackle 2 hours ago
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Graham, if you cant celebrate the wins whats the point of playing the game? I think most would have happily taken 3 from 4 on this tour and winning would be icing but losing just 1 test is still Cake. Its been a season of lost opportunity no matter the result. 3 tests and no real gains from a experience for the newbies perspective. I do get that winning is everything but a few more squad members getting bigger minutes would have been great. Either way, providing the B side doesnt lose to Italy it will be a OK year.

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BH 2 hours ago
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Otagoman II 2 hours ago
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In regards to the obstruction empahsis on kicking, the receiving team has to clear a path to where the ball is going that one of their team is going to take. If the kicking team member runs into another player that will not mean they gain a penalty unless a direct path to the receiver is blocked.


I suspect the change was brought about to make this aspect of the game safer as chasers will not be bumped into creating a dangerous fall for the player leaping. A good example of this was the red card for a French player against the ABs a few years back. He clattered into B Barrett taking his legs from out under him and landing on his neck/head. Upon review for the citing committee they agreed that ALB had checked the French player causing him to go off course and take Barrett out. No suspension resulted and the red card rescinded. The metric to judge the worth of this change is to see if dangerous falls lessen or not.


Thanks for the article.

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Head high tackle 2 hours ago
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DM should start and have the game decided by the starting 15. I can just see everyone blaming Dmac and Ratima because they come on with 15 to go and cant make up the 2 try deficit they face. Dmac needs to leave. Make the coin whilst he is in his prime.

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SM 3 hours ago
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BB should be back and he should play the 80,Dmac reminds me of the story about the emperor having no clothes on how he got player of the day ahead of Jordan or J Barrett must be for not losing or maybe coal kicking 🤔

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Hellhound 4 hours ago
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The English biggest problem is that whole board. They need to change it, because all they've shown is how incapable they are of running a business which ultimately it is.


The players they choose for the team isn't even the best players in England. There is better players out there just as you suggested and I've said in one of my responses.


This was a well written no nonsense article. An eye opener. Let's hope they read your articles. There is a lot they can learn from someone like you. Just don't dare leave my Bulls as a coach. 2 URC Finals and no cigar. You'd better give those boys gas when they screw up. We want that URC title this year👍

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LRB 4 hours ago
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Love the username, fu¢king brilliant.! 😁

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