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'I'd be certainly interested': All Blacks star keen on Major League Rugby move
All Blacks star Will Jordan has revealed he is interested in playing Major League Rugby [MLR] should the competition continue to build traction over the coming years.
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Since its inception in 2018, the MLR has grown rapidly as a start-up league, with the number of teams expanding from seven to 13 teams across the United States and Canada.
Numerous star figures have also headed to North America to ply their club trade since then, including All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu, Wallabies greats Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper, Springboks icon Tendai Mtawarira, ex-England captain Chris Robshaw, and French behemoth Mathieu Bastareaud.
Now it appears that Jordan could join that list of expats in the MLR at some stage in his career as it continues its development as one of rugby’s leading emerging competitions.
Speaking to the What A Lad podcast, hosted by former Hurricanes fullback James Marshall, Jordan said that he is interested in playing overseas at some point down the line, and that the MLR holds plenty of intrigue for him.
The 2021 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year described the competition as “enticing” for players looking to play abroad, but noted that he would only sign up for the MLR if it grows out of its “minor stages” of existence.
“At some point in my career, I’d be keen to go and explore that, whether it’s Japan or Europe,” Jordan, who scored a hat-trick for the All Blacks in their 104-14 thumping of the USA Eagles in October, told What A Lad.
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“I think one thing that’s actually enticing for players these days is potentially that American league sparking up.
“I’ve been to the States a couple of times. If that league ever did take off, then the opportunity to go and live over in the States for a year or two would be something I’d be pretty interested in.
“At the moment, it’s more in its minor stages, but, if that did pick up, I’d be certainly interested in that. But, I think at some point I’ll jump overseas probably a few years down the track and give it a nudge.”
A self-confessed fan of American sports and entertainment, Jordan said life in the United States holds plenty of appeal and suggested that would play a significant role in any potential decision to join the MLR.
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“Those American events over there are just next level,” the 23-year-old outside back, who is signed on with New Zealand Rugby until the end of next year, said.
Two All Blacks stars have revealed they are eager to explore opportunities in rival codes rugby league and Australian football. #AllBlacks #NRL #AFL https://t.co/UlPOnRdYsW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 11, 2021
“The sheer amount of sport on and the way they do it, all the entertainment and stuff is pretty cool, so the opportunity to get stuck into that, head down to NBA games and NFL games and that sort of thing would be epic.”
While he made no mention of which MLR side he would most like to join, Jordan’s Super Rugby Pacific franchise, the Crusaders, along with provincial union Canterbury, purchased a minority stake in the Seattle Seawolves three years ago.
That could potentially open the door for a move of some kind, potentially a sabbatical deal, to the two-time MLR champions.
There are currently four former All Blacks set to feature in next year’s edition of the MLR, a group of which that is headlined by Nonu, who has rejoined the San Diego Legion as a player-coach.
2011 World Cup champion Andy Ellis, meanwhile, will return for a second season with Rugby United New York, while prop Jamie Mackintosh and lock Issac Ross will continue their roles as player-coaches at the Austin Gilgronis.
The LA Giltinis, one of two new expansion sides this year, claimed the 2021 MLR title, thanks largely in part to the services of both Giteau and Ashley-Cooper, both of whom have since retired.
Jordan isn’t the only All Black to have recently lifted the lid on where his playing future may lie, as international teammate Jordie Barrett last week opened up to What A Lad about his desire to one day play rugby league in the NRL.
Listen to Will Jordan’s interview on the What A Lad podcast below:
Comments on RugbyPass
Did footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to comments