Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

‘They'll bounce back’: MLR pioneer Lance Williams confident league 'will grow’

Lance Williams of the Utah Warriors walks onto the field for warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Giltinis at Los Angeles Coliseum on March 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for LA Giltinis)

As one of the “pioneers” of Major League Rugby, Utah Warriors veteran Lance Williams is confident that the competition is “going to grow” in the wake of a tough period for North American rugby.

ADVERTISEMENT

MLR confirmed an “unfortunate” update late last month with Canadian club the Toronto Arrows ceasing operations immediately ahead of the 2024 season.

But there was more bad news on the way for rugby fans up north with 2022 MLR champions Rugby New York also folding in a heartbreaking blow for the sport.

Video Spacer

Rugbypass TV

Watch rugby on demand, from exclusive shows and documentaries to extended highlights from RWC 2023. Anywhere. Anytime. All for free!

Join us

Video Spacer

Rugbypass TV

Watch rugby on demand, from exclusive shows and documentaries to extended highlights from RWC 2023. Anywhere. Anytime. All for free!

Join us

While it seems that North American rugby and MLR are in a bad spot, the competition may just be experiencing the very same growing pains that all big competitions seem to go through.

World-renowned competitions including the NBA, MLS, MLB and NHL have all experienced the loss of teams folding at some point in their esteemed histories. MLR is not alone in this.

“Prayers to Toronto and New York for falling out in the league but I can’t see anything about it, I don’t know the background of why they’ve fallen off,” Williams told RugbyPass

“I feel like MLR is going to push through because teams like Seattle… Houston, they want to make this league, they want to make MLR capable.

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

“I think it’s just finding the right owners and finding the right people to run this league.

“For the past six years, I’ve been with MLR, there was some struggles but that’s the way rugby is. If you want to start a new sport and grow it in the USA, you’ve got to start small.

“I feel like the MLR will grow with these new teams coming in, Miami and LA, (but) they’ve just got to find the right owners.

“My heart and prayers go to New York and Toronto. I feel like they’ll bounce back. It’s never a goodbye it’s a see you later so hopefully they’ll come back because they’re two great teams.

“I feel like it’s going to grow.”

With the new season expected to kick off in the first weekend of March, it’s time to get excited as the best rugby players in America prepare to battle it out for the famed MLR shield.

ADVERTISEMENT

The New England Free Jacks are the reigning champions and they’ll be eager to defend their crown, but the Massachusetts-based franchise will face tough competition across the board.

Rugby ATL will move from Atlanta to Los Angeles for the 2024 season, and they’ll be joined by the new kids on the MLR block in the Miami Sharks, and Chicago is still quite new to the scene too.

“Unfortunately the USA didn’t qualify for the World Cup… there’s no other league that’s helping USA grow, the rugby,” Williams said.

“MLR and PR Sevens and all these other guys, they’re taking a shot. You don’t see other people taking a shot to grow this sport (in the US).

“I think MLR is doing a great job right now. I know it’s hard… that’s what it takes, hard work. We’re the pioneers of rugby now.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
M
Michael 329 days ago

They need to explore better sponsorship opportunities. In South Africa they have good corporate backing for their teams. A more lucrative TV deal. Show the league to Americans abroad. And they should explore the possibility of a champions Cup. With Super Rugby America and, Japan, Hong-Kong or teams in Europe Super Cup, or South Africa curry Cup. Or whoever. And get a sponsor involved. All options to grow should be explored. But definitely World Rugby should help grow this league, a loan or grant or something 🤔. Whatever it takes.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster | Autumn Nations Series All Blacks XV player ratings vs Munster
Search