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Major League Rugby: Q&A with MLR commentator Dallen Stanford
With the first regular season of Major League Rugby now complete, we had a Q&A with former USA Sevens representative and current MLR broadcaster Dallen Stanford, who chatted about the promise of the new league and the continued development of rugby in the United States – plus who to look out for in the Major League Rugby playoffs.
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Dallen can be found on Twitter at @therugbycorner and on his website.
RugbyPass: How much promise does this competition have moving forward and what do you think will be the key to its longevity?
Dallen Stanford: The key to its longevity is the ownership model, with seven different groups involved in year one.
The previous attempt at professional rugby in the US was owned by one entity, hence the Major League Soccer (MLS) model used today is proving extremely successful.
The fact that expansion is already in the works bodes well for the league: Rugby United New York (2019), potentially Washington, D.C. and Dallas (2020) plus interest from other cities including Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver.
Vitally important is engaging the community, especially the sports fan that doesn’t know rugby, which will help sustain the competition’s growth. Many of the franchises have done some impressive work in their communities, showcasing rugby’s positive values.
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The local media attention has been extremely exciting to witness in the various markets, including broadcasting all Major League Rugby (MLR) matches. Having a match each week on national television (CBS Sports Network) has been gold for the growth of the game. MLR has also broadcast the rest of the fixtures via ESPN, AT&T SportsNet/ROOT Sports and Facebook Live for overseas viewers.
The Seattle Seawolves sold out all four of their home matches at the 4,500 seater Starfire Stadium, while strong attendance numbers were recorded at the other venues at times throughout the season. The match I called at Torero Stadium in San Diego this past weekend had 3,000 fans with a wonderful atmosphere seeing hundreds of kids getting autographs and kicking a rugby ball around after the game. Infinity Park should have a very strong crowd yet again this weekend for the MLR Playoffs as they do a fantastic job promoting the game in RugbyTown USA.
Do you think this competition has increased America’s interest in rugby?
DS: Definitely. But before answering that, several performances and results have garnered more interest in rugby in North America:
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– Top 4 finish at 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup
– USA 15s Men going 8-0 in 2018, including back-to-back Americas Rugby Championship titles and the 30-29 thriller against Scotland
– Winning the USA 7s in Las Vegas (Men) and Perry Baker being named World Rugby’s 7s Player of the Year
– Silver (Dubai) and Bronze (Langford) for Women’s 7s.
Major League Rugby has unearthed plenty of new fans over the past three months, evidence being strong attendance numbers at many of the matches and increased social media fan engagement.
There will always be the loyal rugby fan attending in person, watching on television or online, posting on social media – but capturing the non-rugby fan is the key to success. The league and the franchises have been doing an excellent job in this regard, and I expect it to elevate year on year.
Who are the teams to watch in the playoffs?
MLR Playoffs – June 30, Infinity Park, Glendale, CO
7.00PM ET Seattle Seawolves (2) vs. San Diego Legion (3)
9.30PM ET Glendale Raptors (1) vs. Utah Warriors (4)
DS: All four sides will be quality, with plenty of attacking weapons across the board. My prediction is a Glendale Raptors v San Diego Legion final.
The Glendale Raptors topped the table, their only defeat in the competition came during the final regular season fixture against the San Diego Legion. The Raptors host the MLR Playoffs and will be tough to stop at Infinity Park this Saturday June 30th, especially with several USA Eagles returning to action following a historic unbeaten summer.
Amongst those players, key will be tacticians Shaun Davies and Will Magie, alongside big forward Ben Landry, the physical Bryce Campbell and livewire hooker Dylan Fawsitt.
The same for the Legion who welcome back USA hat-trick hero Number 8 Cam Dolan, sleek sensation Dylan Audsley and chatterbox Nate Augspurger.
For the Utah Warriors, it’s the missile back in the midfield Paul Lasike, who often requires three or four defenders to bring him down.
Seattle Seawolves bolster their pack with the hammer Vili Toluta’u and powerful scrummager Olive Kilifi.
Which player has impressed you the most over the course of the season?
DS: The USA Eagles in MLR have impressed, but two finishers that stand out for me are wingers Tonata Lauti (Utah Warriors) and Harley Davidson (Glendale Raptors). Lauti tops the try-scoring table so far with eight tries, followed by Davidson with six.
How much of an impact do you think this competition has had on the national team/development of USA Rugby – especially now they’ve just beaten Scotland?
DS: This year was the first time that a USA Head Coach was able to select a squad that consisted 100% of professional players. Gary Gold and his staff were able to watch every single MLR match, liaise with the various coaches on which players were on the radar or would be needed in various Test matches, and this open communication was positively received by the teams. An average of 12 MLR players were selected in the USA match 23 across the June Internationals.
The result against Scotland is extremely rewarding for all those involved in the Eagles setup, and those that have sacrificed so much elevating the program throughout the years. I expect the Eagles to finally challenge teams ahead of them on the World Rugby rankings, but it will be several years before beating another side in the top 10 (outside of Fiji).
Much like when Japan shocked the Springboks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the world now takes them seriously in every single clash.
Additionally, we won’t have to send all our top players overseas, much like when Todd Clever played in Japan, strengthening that domestic competition. Players that prefer to live in the States now have seven teams to choose from, with a couple more being added next season.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
True Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
21 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
21 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
21 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
21 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
21 Go to comments