All Blacks, Wallabies and England stars named to start in opening weekend of Major League Rugby
A number of foreign stars have been named to start in the opening round of Major League Rugby this weekend.
All 12 teams will take to the field over the coming days to open their 2021 campaigns, and there is no shortage of test-level star power across the Western and Eastern Conferences.
Perhaps the most stacked side of the opening weekend is the newest team of the league, the LA Giltinis, who will make their MLR debut with two Wallabies centurions – flyhalf Matt Giteau and outside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper – in their starting lineup.
Fellow ex-Australian international Dave Dennis is also starting at lock for the Venice Beach-based franchise, as are a raft of former Super Rugby players such as inside centre Billy Meakes, scrumhalf Harrison Goddard and blindside flanker Angus Cottrell.
Canada’s all-time top try-scorer DTH van der Merwe will also make his first appearance in the competition after shifting to the Giltinis from the Glasgow Warriors.
LA will open their account in MLR at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against the New England Free Jacks, who possess a wealth of foreign talent themselves.
Former Wallabies training squad member Sef Fa’agase will start at loosehead prop for the Boston side, while Scotland international Dougie Fife will start on the right wing.
Further inland in Nevada, the San Diego Legion will kick their season off against Rugby United New York at Cashman Field in Las Vegas.
While the Legion – who have the likes of former England captain Chris Robshaw, Argentine playmaker Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias and Blitzboks legend Cecil Afrika in their ranks – are yet to name their team, RUNY have numerous high-profile players in their match day team.
Ex-England fullback Ben Foden returns to play his 22nd consecutive match for the Brooklyn-based franchise, while former All Blacks halfback Andy Ellis has been named to start at scrumhalf.
In the loose forwards, former Blues and Sunwolves tearaway Kara Pryor will partner with USA Eagles star Hanco Germishuys on the side of the scrum and Manu Samoa prop Sakaria Taulafo will pack down in the No 3 jersey.
In Atlanta, Rugby ATL will field Los Pumas midfielder Bautista Ezcurra at inside centre against the Toronto Arrows atLife University.
All Blacks and Blues wing Caleb Clarke has lifted the lid on his aspirations of playing at this year's Tokyo Olympics. #TokyoOlympics #Tokyo2020 https://t.co/v8YOQOA3NT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 20, 2021
The only Canadian franchise in the competition are missing their star recruit Joaquin Tuculet, who has joined Ezcurra in making the move from the now-defunct Jaguares to MLR for the 2021 season.
The Austin Gilgronis, meanwhile, have welcomed back one-test All Blacks prop Jamie Mackintosh into their side, as the 36-year-old will start at loosehead prop against the Utah Warriors at Bold Stadium in Austin.
Mackintosh will be accompanied by the likes of Manu Samoa scrumhalf Pele Cowley and wing Conner Mooneyham, the first pick in the inaugural MLR Draft last year, in the run-on XV, while Tongan playmaker Kurt Morath starts from the bench.
Saturday’s other match will see the Seattle Seawolves, the champions of the first two editions of MLR, travel to Texas to take on the Houston Sabercats, while NOLA Gold and Old Glory DC will close out the weekend in New Orleans on Sunday.
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments