'Being an American kid I never thought I'd be on the same field as Quade Cooper'
On the 13th of June, 24 players from a pool of over 400 prospects were drafted into Major League Rugby squads for next season.
Two of the players picked in the inaugural Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft also share an Australian connection, having both played for club side the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia.
Bronson Teles and Patrick Madden were both awarded the Mark Loane Medal in 2016 and 2017 respectively, which allowed the American High School players to come to Brisbane as they continued their rugby development.
From the University of Arizona, Teles was selected 21st overall by Dallas Jackals who were announced as the competitions 13thand newest franchise at the beginning of this month.
Denmark-born Teles began playing rugby at the age of nine for Texan club Katy Barbarians. Being drafted was the result of years of hard work and resilience, and the backrower is looking forward to helping shape a franchise in their inaugural season.
“To be involved in the first ever Major League Rugby Draft was already a milestone for me as well as a moment that I’ll never forget. To say that I was drafted let alone is still a surreal feeling,” Teles told RugbyPass.
“I have dreamt about moments like these and I can certainly say that I absorbed every second of the draft process. It was a spectacular moment in my life and an extraordinary feeling to be with my family on the special day. Now it’s time to work and make the most of my opportunity.
“It’s very exciting to be a part of a new franchise. New opportunities, new challenges and new expectations at hand. It’s exciting to be a part of the Dallas culture and atmosphere, and bring the game to that side of Texas.”
Reflecting on his time in Australia, Teles revealed that he learnt a lot from the opportunity to come Down Under.
“Playing at UQ was a special time in my life. The rugby, the culture, the boys, all around was class. Immersing myself in the developmental academies that UQ had to offer was extraordinary.
“The boys were amazing and showed me the ropes of Brisbane. I couldn’t have had a better time in Australia. Loved every second of my time there.”
Teles’ High School All-American teammate Patrick Madden was awarded the same accolade a year later, visiting Australia in 2018.
Madden began playing rugby at five-years-old, when his neighbour started the first youth club in San Diego.
It was then only fitting that MLR powerhouse San Diego Legion took a chance on the hometown prospect years later, who was drafted 12th overall.
The playmaker has looked to make the most of any and all rugby opportunities over the years, which included following in Teles footsteps.
“I got into my first year of Uni and I got a call from Salty Thompson who at the time was the USA High School All-American coach, and he informed me about the Mark Loane Medal which was the partnership between Mark Loane and the UQ Business and Law program,” Madden said.
“Getting that call, that was another call that I’ll never forget just like the call from San Diego Legion. I remember I was sitting in my dorm room and I got the call from Salty saying ‘hey, you’ve won this award and I know it’s a lot but if you do accept it, we have to get you out to New York for the award ceremony in November.
“Then from there, you’re spending your entire summer in Brisbane playing for UQ.’”
At just 19-years-old, Madden made the tough decision to move to Australia for the summer to pursue his rugby ambitions by learning all that he could.
Less than 24 hours after arriving Down Under, he’d played a game and a half for his new club before celebrating with a well-earned rest as he continued to battle jetlag.
“I just wanted to go and be a sponge. Picking up as much knowledge as I can, picking the brains of some of the best rugby minds in the country, and being at such a respected club like UQ.
“It put me in the right position to excel in my career and so I knew it was another stepping stone in doing what I want to do, which is playing professional rugby and hopefully one day, getting my first cap as an Eagle.”
“It was when Quade Cooper was playing for Souths at the time, so being an American kid I never thought I’d be on the same field as Quade Cooper, so that was amazing. I don’t think I’d be in the position that I am today without my time spent with UQ.”
Madden will train and play alongside former England captain Chris Robshaw, who penned a contract with the Legion for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Having the opportunity to learn from the international talent such as Robshaw and Legion co-coach Zack Test, he’s itching to get to work with the 2019 MLR runners up.
“I actually just got off the phone with [Zack] Testy yesterday, just going over what he expects for me coming into the pre-season, what I need to work on and just some key points. We started chatting about the opportunity that I have.
“To be a 21-year-old and be training day-in and day-out with the likes of Chris Robshaw, it looks like Ma’a Nonu will be coming back, Joe Pietersen, you just go down the list and there’s all these international players who are now playing in MLR.
“I’m happy San Diego is willing to take a shot on the local kid. There’s a lot of stuff that’s sent me this way, UQ and my time in Brisbane being one of them.”
Teles and Madden felt that they grew as rugby players from their time in Australia, which led to them being drafted earlier this month.
Both players will look to debut for their new teams when Major League Rugby returns next year.
Comments on RugbyPass
The side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
4 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
4 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
4 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
4 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to comments