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InternationalSan Diego LegionToronto ArrowsUSAFrank HalaiMa'a Nonu

Ma'a Nonu remains undefeated in United States as ex-All Blacks wing scores on MLR debut

(Photo by Stuart Walmsley/Getty Images)

One-cap All Blacks wing Frank Halai has kickstarted his new stint in North America with a try on debut for Major League Rugby outfit Austin Gilgronis.

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The 31-year-old is one of many high-profile offshore arrivals for the third season of MLR, joining the recently-rebranded Gilgronis from Top 14 club Pau in France.

Halai, who scored in his solitary All Blacks appearance against Japan in 2013, came off the bench to repeat the feat for Austin at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday, finishing off a move in broken play to run in a 51st minute try against the Utah Warriors.

Continue reading below…

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The former Blues and Wasps speedster’s maiden five-pointer wasn’t enough to secure victory for his new side, however, as a converted try to ex-Highlanders prop Kalolo Tuiloma in injury time allowed Utah to steal a 20-all draw away from home.

Halai wasn’t the only former All Black in action in the United States over the weekend, as test centurion Ma’a Nonu maintained an undefeated start to his tenure with the San Diego Legion on Sunday.

After playing a key role in the Legion’s previous two victories over the back-to-back reigning champion Seattle Seawolves and the Colorado Raptors, the two-time World Cup-winner was comparatively quieter in San Diego’s 30-21 win over the New England Free Jacks.

However, that’s more of a credit to the Free Jacks’ defensive scheme rather than Nonu’s attacking abilities, which were on full show in the opening fortnight of the new MLR campaign.

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The victory leaves the Legion comfortably at the top of the Western Conference standings with three wins from as many outings, eight points clear of the second-placed Warriors.

In the east, it’s the Toronto Arrows who sit atop the Eastern Conference table – a reward which comes as a result of being the only other team in the league yet to taste defeat.

The Canadian club’s unbeaten status remained intact after they dispatched the Seawolves 39-17 at Starfire Stadium in Seattle, with Manawatu fullback Sam Malcolm slotting three conversions and six penalties for a personal haul of 24 points.

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Elsewhere, a prominent-looking Old Glory DC side, headlined by ex-Springboks prop Tendai Mtawarira, downed the Houston SaberCats 22-13 at Aveva Stadium.

Former Scotland sevens international and Edinburgh loose forward Mungo Mason found himself on the scoresheet, which alleviated the pressure applied on his side when fleet-footed Northland wing Renata Roberts-Tenana was sent to the sin bin for an off-the-ball altercation late in the match.

That win lifted the Washington DC-based franchise, which also featured the likes of Auckland halfback and ex-Samoa sevens star Danny Tusitala, Kiwi journeyman Declan O’Donnell and blockbusting USA midfielder Thretton Palamo, off the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

In the round’s other matches, the NOLA Gold fought off the Colorado Raptors – who were without their key men Rene Ranger and Digby Ioane – 27-20 in Denver, while French star Mathieu Bastareaud started at No. 8 in Rugby United New York’s 22-19 win over Rugby ATL in Atlanta.

MLR Western Conference

San Diego Legion (3-0) – 15pts

Utah Warriors (1-1-1) – 7pts

Houston SaberCats (1-2) – 6pts

Austin Gilgronis (0-1-2) – 3pts

Seattle Seawolves (0-3) – 1pt

Colorado Raptors (0-3) – 1pt

MLR Eastern Conference

Toronto Arrows (3-0) – 13pts

NOLA Gold (2-1) – 10pts

Rugby ATL (2-1) – 10pts

Rugby United New York (2-1) – 9pts

Old Glory DC (2-1) 9pts

New England Free Jacks (1-2) – 7pts

Round Four Fixtures

NOLA Gold vs San Diego Legion at Shrine on Airline, New Orleans

Austin Gilgronis vs Old Glory DC at Toyota Field, San Antonio

Colorado Raptors vs Utah Warriors at Infinity Park, Denver

Seattle Seawolves vs New England Free Jacks at Starfire Stadium, Seattle

Rugby ATL vs Toronto Arrows at Life University, Atlanta

Houston SaberCats vs Rugby United New York at Aveva Stadium, Houston

In other news:

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Comments on RugbyPass

C
Cantab 7 days ago
Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

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J
James 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

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d
dw 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

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d
dw 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments
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dw 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.


Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

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R
RedWarriors 7 days ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments
J
JM 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 7 days ago
'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

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OJohn 7 days ago
Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

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C
Carlos 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments
C
Carlos 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments
S
Solenn Bonnet 7 days ago
Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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M
Mzilikazi 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments
M
Mzilikazi 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.


Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

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B
BC 7 days ago
Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

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Otagoman II 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

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N
NB 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments
N
NB 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments
N
NB 7 days ago
'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING The 'incredibly athletic' All Black Genia calls 'the toughest player I've ever played' The All Black Genia calls 'the toughest player I've ever played'
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