Major League Rugby kicks off in the US
The highly anticipated inaugural season of North America’s newest professional rugby league is underway.
Major League Rugby kicked off with back to back fixtures on Saturday afternoon (EST), with the New Orleans Gold and Glendale Raptors claiming the first victories of the competition. Both games were streamed live on Major League Rugby’s official Facebook page.
The New Orleans Gold and the Houston Sabercats officially got the competition started with their clash in Houston.
Former Fijian Olympic sevens captain Osea Kolinisau picked up the first try of the competition, barrelling over from a quick tap close to the line to put the Sabercats on the board.
Fellow Fijian Josua Vici followed up Kolinisau’s effort as he set off on a 60-metre try scoring scamper, beating several defenders on his way to giving the Sabercats a 12-3 lead.
The Sabercats hit back before halftime, with No. 8 Sebastian Kalm crashing over after a quick tap from a scrum penalty on the Sabercats five-metre line. JP Eloff added the extras to close the gap to just two points heading into the sheds.
Sabercats loosehead prop Jake Turnbull received the competition’s first card after he was shown yellow for repeated infringements at scrum time.
The Gold struck twice after halftime and slotted a penalty to take a commanding 25-12 lead entering the final quarter, but the Sabercats refused to lay down.
Turnbull, who was yellow carded earlier in the match, scored for the Sabercats to pull the scoreline back to 25-19 with 13 minutes to play.
The Gold all but sealed the match in the 74th minute, as JP Eloff scored and converted a try to give his side an insurmountable 32-19 lead.
The Sabercats scored shortly after the kickoff to bring the score to 32-26 with two minutes remaining and make things interesting, but they were unable to conjure a miracle and steal a famous home victory.
Another Eloff penalty before the final hooter settled the final scoreline in a thrilling opening match.
The second fixture was a little more one-sided, with the Glendale Raptors putting in a huge effort at home.
It took less than two minutes for the Austin Elite to receive a yellow card, as lock Ben Mitchell was sent off for a no-arms off the ball tackle.
Cards would be a recurring theme over the afternoon.
Despite being a man down, the Elite were able to hold off the Raptors and score the first try of the match, with winger Reece Czarnecki dotting down after a break from captain Andrew Suniula.
Great team try!@Austin_E_Rugby is on the board first. #MLRugby pic.twitter.com/LEaa0RpwQj
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) April 21, 2018
Glendale responded with three tries and 24 unanswered points before the break to give themselves a 24-7 lead.
After their strong finish to the first half, it was all Glendale to start the second 40.
Fullback Maximo de Achaval kept the Raptors’ momentum going, opening the second half scoring by splitting a pair of Austin defenders to cross the chalk.
The local boy! Maximo de Achaval scores. @glendaleraptors add a 2nd Half try. #MLRugby pic.twitter.com/IYTSFar5v5
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) April 21, 2018
The Raptors kept their foot on the throat of the Elite as they put up their fifth unanswered try to push the scoreline out to 38-7.
Discipline let both sides down as Elite winger Sani Taylor was shown yellow and try-scoring Raptors lock Ben Landry received a red card for a tip tackle on USA Eagle Hanco Germishuys.
The Elite scored three tries in reply against their undermanned opponents, including a stunning sideline dart from Germishuys.
The Big Unit! Hanco Germishuys with power for @Austin_E_Rugby. #MLRugby pic.twitter.com/QiwrjCSg4W
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) April 21, 2018
The Raptors finished the game with just 12 men after flanker Connor Cook was handed a red for a tip tackle and prop Kelepi Fifita took an early shower after repeat infringements close to the try line.
With a final scoreline of 41-26, the Raptors look like strong contenders to claim the inaugural Major League Rugby title if they can get a handle on their discipline.
The first weekend of competition will be rounded off tomorrow when the Seattle Sunwolves host the San Diego Legion in front of a sold-out crowd.
All games in the competition’s ten-week regular season will be broadcast live on Facebook, with one game each week broadcast on CBS Sports.
Comments on RugbyPass
There’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 commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments