MLR vs ARC – The Absentee List

Clashes between club and country occur in every professional competition across the world and Major League Rugby is no exception. During the inaugural season in 2018 it was the June test series that interrupted selections, taking a number of players out of the final three weeks of the regular season.

This season’s conflicts are longer but potentially less disruptive. The Americas Rugby Championship comes at the beginning of the season, stretching to Week 7 on the schedule meaning some players could miss a third of the 2019 regular season. The positives are that it’s at the beginning of the season where injuries and fatigue are less likely to be a factor.

Also coming into the equation is the relationships being built between MLR and the national sides. With the ARC incorporating a rest week this year, some players will be returned to their clubs following the first two weeks of the competition and others called up for the final three weeks.

It’s worth nothing that the league is potentially supplying players to five different teams in the ARC, with Argentina the only exception. In June of last year only Canada and the USA took players. This year the South Americans countries of Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay are all set to feature MLR players.

It all makes for some interesting calculus as the particulars are known only behind closed doors. Below we take a team-by-team look at who is currently slated to miss the opening rounds, who might get the call, and what games might be affected.

 

AUSTIN ELITE

The Elite have four players currently called up for the start of the ARC, though hooker Peter Malcolm is still short of full fitness and unlikely to play for the Eagles until the North American leg. Whether he gets game time at the start of the season to get match fitness remains to be seen. Either way there is sufficient cover with new signing Tiaan Erasmus an option along with Brendan Rams and Chris Schade, both of whom also play prop.

Canada will borrow Josh Larsen and Doug Fraser to start the tournament. There is a fair chance they are sent back afterwards with loose forward Travis Larsen a possible call-up for the second half. Rikus Zwart looks the most likely to fill in for Larsen at lock with Sione Fangaiuiha starting at No13 in the preseason.

Chile have yet to name their full squad but there looks a strong chance that Marcelo Torrealba will be left at Austin with a handful of other scrumhalf options available to the Cóndores.

Uruguay will have Rodrigo Silva to start the ARC. Silva is primarily a fullback or flyhalf, positions that Austin have covered with Zinzan Elan-Puttick and Timothée Guillimin the incumbents. Los Teros send Silva to Austin at the midpoint with Juan Echeverría and Andrés Vilaseca heading the other way. Mason Pedersen, LaRome White, and Rams can fill in should Echeverría get the call, with Andrew Suniula or Canadian trialist Mike Nieuwenhuysen potential cover for Vilaseca at inside center.

POS	NAME	TEAM
HO	Peter Malcolm	USA
LO	Josh Larsen	Canada
CE	Doug Fraser	Canada
FB	Rodrigo Silva	Uruguay

The good news for Austin is that they enjoy a five-game home stand to start the season. While the opposition is challenging, they will also be absent players that will help to even the scales. A bye week ahead of their first road game – against the Glendale Raptors – could not come at a better time. Coming away with three wins from their opening rounds will be a must, with four preferrable if they intend to be playoff contenders.

2019-01-26	Houston SaberCats	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-02-01	Utah Warriors	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-02-08	Toronto Arrows	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-02-17	Glendale Raptors	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-02-22	San Diego Legion	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-03-02
2019-03-09	Glendale Raptors	Infinity Park, Glendale

 

GLENDALE RAPTORS

Glendale were hit hard last year with international call-ups and will be at a significant disadvantage to start the season. Star halfbacks Shaun Davies and Will Magie are the biggest loss, though Magie at least should be available for part of the ARC with three other flyhalves available to Gary Gold. Davies could be available for the first two matches given that Chile are the USA’s first opponent on February 2.

The Raptors have a pair of South Africans to step in with Carlo de Nysschen and Robbie Petzer on the books. Another, flanker Dwayne Pienaar, will cover for the absence of Hanco Germishuys while new Australian signing Will Munro is a timely addition with Malon Al-Jiboori set to add to his one Eagles cap.

Canadian prop Noah Barker is yet to be formally announced by the Raptors and could up with the team following the South American leg of Canada’s tournament. Loosehead is well covered at the moment with Luke White, Blake Rogers, and Max Lum all options.

POS	NAME	TEAM
LH	Noah Barker	Canada
FL	Hanco Germishuys	USA
N8	Malon Al-Jiboori	USA
SH	Shaun Davies	USA
FH	Will Magie	USA

A rematch of the 2018 Final is up first and the Raptors will be very keen to have their Eagles involved for that one. After that it’s a trip to New Orleans to face a somewhat depleted but still dangerous Gold side. After a week’s break it’s two more road games before the home opener against the Arrows on March 2. Despite the challenges, anything less than four wins from six to start to the season will be a major disappointment to the Raptors.

2019-01-27	Seattle Seawolves	Starfire Stadium, Seattle
2019-02-02	New Orleans Gold	Gold Stadium, New Orleans
2019-02-09
2019-02-17	Austin Elite	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-02-23	Utah Warriors	Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
2019-03-02	Toronto Arrows	Infinity Park, Glendale
2019-03-09	Austin Elite	Infinity Park, Glendale

 

HOUSTON SABERCATS

The SaberCats will start the campaign without their three Uruguayan forwards but on the plus side will have star scrumhalf Santiago Arata available. He could miss the entirety of the ARC with three very challenging matches coinciding with the second leg of the tournament. Look for at least one and possibly all three forwards to return during the bye week.

There is cover for all three should be stick with Los Teros. Jake Turnbull and Jamie Dever are quality loosehead props, and there are a number of options in the second and back rows including Alex Elkins who has switched his job description from wing to No8.

On the other hand it looks unlikely that Paul Mullen will be available for the duration of the tournament. With only two tighthead props named by Gary Gold look for Mullen to stick with the Eagles and the likes of Charlie Connolly, Codi Jones, and Matt Almeida to fill in on the right side of the scrum.

POS	NAME	TEAM
LH	Mateo Sanguinetti	Uruguay
TH	Paul Mullen	USA
LO	Diego Magno	Uruguay
N8	Alejandro Nieto	Uruguay

Having two out of the first four weeks as byes softens the blow somewhat but the rapids pick up on February 22 when they face Toronto, New York, and Seattle in succession. Despite being at home those are three teams tipped by many to be among the leaders. If Houston can come out of this stretch with three wins they will be doing well.

2019-01-26	Austin Elite	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-02-02
2019-02-08	San Diego Legion	Torero Stadium, San Diego
2019-02-16
2019-02-22	Toronto Arrows	Constellation Field, Sugar Land
2019-03-02	Rugby United New York	Constellation Field, Sugar Land
2019-03-10	Seattle Seawolves	Starfire Stadium, Seattle

 

NOLA GOLD

The Gold are certain to be without some of their top players to start the season. Hubert Buydens, Eric Howard, and Kyle Baillie will travel with Canada to South America for the first two matches of the ARC. Expect at least two of them to return to New Orleans afterwards, with Baillie the most likely to stick with Canada for the entire tournament.

Cam Dolan is likely to stick with the Eagles for the duration of the ARC, while Tim Maupin will be away for at least some of the time. Another winger, Deion Mikesell, will stay with the Clermont Auvergne academy until mid-March.

Chile are yet to name their squad with Nikola Bursic a likely call-up for at least part of the tournament. Ignacio Dotti has been left out of the initial Uruguay roster but is a good bet to join up with Los Teros following the match against New York.

NOLA have prepared well for these call-ups and have quality to step in. All-American front rowers Kevin Sullivan and Matt Harmon will see significant game time, and the return of Vince Jobo from injury is timely in the back row. Malcolm May is another collegiate star who has been seeing time at No8. Long-time Samoa starter Kane Thompson has arrived and youngsters Billy Stewart and William Waguespack are options alongside in the second row.

Joeli Tikoisuva is the incumbent starter on the left wing and the former Junior All-American will start there until Mikesell arrives to challenge for the spot. On the right side it could be Bobby Johns, Shawn Riley, or the versatile Michael Baska. In the event that JP Eloff is named, there is cover at both flyhalf and fullback in Nick Feakes, Taylor Howden, and Cameron Troxler.

POS	NAME	TEAM
LH	Hubert Buydens	Canada
HO	Eric Howard	Canada
FL	Kyle Baillie	Canada
N8	Cam Dolan	USA
WI	Tim Maupin	USA
WI	Deion Mikesell	Clermont Auvergne

There is no place to hide for the Gold as they start the season against four of the top teams in the league. The good news is it will all be at home and against less than full-strength sides. Utah on their home turf poses a challenge though the Gold can be expected to have at least some of their internationals back in time. It’s a tricky start to the season. Coming away with three wins will be an important step for New Orleans who have eyes on the post-season this year.

2019-01-26	Toronto Arrows	Gold Stadium, New Orleans
2019-02-02	Glendale Raptors	Gold Stadium, New Orleans
2019-02-08	Seattle Seawolves	Gold Stadium, New Orleans
2019-02-16	Rugby United New York	Gold Stadium, New Orleans
2019-02-23
2019-03-02	Utah Warriors	Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
2019-03-09

 

RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK

The newcomers look in pretty good shape all things considered. They will likely be without captain Dylan Fawsitt for four games on Eagles duty along with John Quill. Luke Hume is also in Gary Gold’s plans and will be absent for some of those weeks. Nate Brakeley is something of a surprise omission from the squad but could yet get the call.

In Fawsitt’s absence the hooker role will be filled by incoming Sean McNulty, an Ireland u20 cap, while there are a plethora of flanker options with Matt Hughston the projected starter at openside and either Alex MacDonald or Kyle Sumsion on the blindside. The arrival of Ben Foden frees up Connor Wallace-Sims to play on the wing among other alternatives.

Look for Brakeley to lead the side in the meantime. Should he be summoned there are MLR veterans in Myles McQuone and Matt Wirken, and the return of former USA Select XV cap Trevor Cassidy from a two-year injury layoff.

POS	NAME	TEAM
HO	Dylan Fawsitt	USA
FL	John Quill	USA
WI	Luke Hume	USA

It’s all road matches to start the year for New York, though they will have back-to-back bye weeks following the season opener in San Diego. The most challenging of the next four is in Seattle, though every team can be expected to play better at home. Given their ambition and strength in depth, the team should be targeting four wins to start the season with three an acceptable result given the travel itinerary.

2019-01-27	San Diego Legion	Torero Stadium, San Diego
2019-02-02
2019-02-08
2019-02-16	New Orleans Gold	Gold Stadium, New Orleans
2019-02-24	Seattle Seawolves	Starfire Stadium, Seattle
2019-03-02	Houston SaberCats	Constellation Field, Sugar Land
2019-03-08	Utah Warriors	Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman

 

SAN DIEGO LEGION

The Legion will loose four players to the Eagles with two of them being more problematic than the others. Kapeli Pifeleti has impressed in the preseason and should win his first test cap in the ARC, but there is cover at hooker in South African import Dean Muir and once-capped Pat Blair. Similarly Mike Te’o’s absence is dealt with by Conor Kearns at fullback and the two sizable Fijian flyers Jasa Veremalua and Save Totovosau on the wing.

Easily the biggest loss is that of Nick Boyer. With only two other scrumhalves currently on the roster – one being injured Eagle Nate Augspurger – it’s down to only Tai Enosa to cover the position. He is more a utility back than specialist halfback who can cover across the backline. It’s possible that the Legion could add a reinforcement here, with Life West’s Devereaux Ferris still available for hire and relatively close.

Ryan Matyas is also a significant blow as one of their best players. His loss is mitigated by the return of JP du Plessis at inside center while Nick Lupian and conceivably Enosa can also step in at the outside center spot. Dylan Audsley should also return soon though he is currently on the sidelines along with flanker Psalm Wooching.

POS	NAME	TEAM
HO	Kapeli Pifeleti	USA
SH	Nick Boyer	USA
CE	Ryan Matyas	USA
FB	Mike Te’o	USA

There is but one road game to start the season for San Diego, a very good thing indeed. Along with Augspurger, Audsley, and Wooching, they have yet to field Matt Sandell, Liam Hallam-Eames, and Siaosi Mahoni in the preseason but they should become available soon. With five home games and a winnable road match against Austin, the Legion should be targeting five wins though four would still be a decent return considering the formidable challenges from New York, Seattle, and Toronto.

2019-01-27	Rugby United New York	Torero Stadium, San Diego
2019-02-02	Seattle Seawolves	Torero Stadium, San Diego
2019-02-09	Houston SaberCats	Torero Stadium, San Diego
2019-02-17	Utah Warriors	Torero Stadium, San Diego
2019-02-23	Austin Elite	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-03-02
2019-03-10	Toronto Arrows	Torero Stadium, San Diego

 

SEATTLE SEAWOLVES

It seems a little strange that the defending champions have only two players called up during the ARC, and none in the Eagles squad, but their strength is partly derived from continuity and a strong collection of players challenging for test honors if not quite demanding selection. Only Djustice Sears-Duru and Nakai Penny will be missing to start the campaign, though there is a high possibility that other Canadians will be picked for the second leg of the tournament.

Sears-Duru has yet to play for Seattle and there is cover in Kellen Gordon and the versatile Mike Shepherd. Olive Kilifi will be the preferred loosehead once he returns from injury. Penny was largely a bench player last season with Vili Toluta’u the starter at openside flank. The two should share time in the longer season when Penny is returned from Canada.

Toluta’u is a notable absentee from the Eagles and could well get the call in the latter part of the tournament. With Penny possibly returning following the opening leg Seattle should be well covered in such an eventuality. Phil Mack can be expected to join up with Canada following the New York game meaning he should miss only one game for Seattle. In JP Smith the Seawolves at last have a quality replacement at scrumhalf.

Others who could get Canada calls are Cam Polson, George Barton, and Brock Staller. In each case there is cover with new additions Brad Tucker and Api Naikatini available up front and the likes of Roland Suniula and Dion Crowder in the backs.

POS	NAME	TEAM
LH	Djustice Sears-Duru	Canada
FL	Nakai Penny	Canada

Four of their early matches will be at home. The ‘Sea Wall’ is even stronger at Starfire Stadium which is on its way to earning ‘fortress’ status.  Seattle have already won before at New Orleans and have yet to play at Torero Stadium. Despite the strong competition headed their way the Seawolves should be favorites at home. It’s not unreasonable to think they could come through these six matches unbeaten, with four wins the bare minimum to be expected from the defending champions.

2019-01-27	Glendale Raptors	Starfire Stadium, Seattle
2019-02-02	San Diego Legion	Torero Stadium, San Diego
2019-02-10	New Orleans Gold	Gold Stadium, New Orleans
2019-02-17	Toronto Arrows	Starfire Stadium, Seattle
2019-02-24	Rugby United New York	Starfire Stadium, Seattle
2019-03-02
2019-03-10	Houston SaberCats	Starfire Stadium, Seattle

 

TORONTO ARROWS

On paper no team is hit harder that the Arrows to start the season with an incredible nine players certain to be missing until Week 4. Once the ARC break arrives Toronto will get their Uruguayan wingers back and some from Canada. They will also welcome England u20 back row Jack Nay from Saracens.

It’s not yet clear how many of the Canadian selections will miss out on the New Orleans game. If all nine miss out the team remains in decent shape considering. In fact the quality of the side in their absence is an indication of the strength of the team overall.

Tom Dolezel covers prop with the van Horne twins available in the engine room. Marcello Wainwright, Peter Milazzo, and John Moonlight are the flanker options with Lucas Rumball missing. Andrew Ferguson will start at scrumhalf and in the backs there are known quantities in Dan Moor and Aaron McLelland.

Some of those names may join the Canadian team in the second leg of the ARC. Possibilities for the second leg include Ferguson, Moor, and Paul Ciulini. One of the hookers – AJ Quattrin or Steven Ng – could get a look while Kolby Francis is another uncapped name in consideration.

POS	NAME	TEAM
TH	Cole Keith	Canada
LO	Mike Sheppard	Canada
FL	Lucas Rumball	Canada
SH	Jamie Mackenzie	Canada
CE	Guiseppe du Toit	Canada
WI	Leandro Leivas	Uruguay
WI	Kainoa Lloyd	Canada
FB	Gastón Mieres	Uruguay
FB	Theo Sauder	Canada

We already know that the Arrows will spend the first half of their season on the road. Having known about this – and the ARC – for some time, the team will have a detailed road map for both itinerary and selection. The two finalists – Seattle and Glendale – stand out as particularly challenging opposition during this stretch. Otherwise this is a team that will be confident of taking four from six, a very good way to start if they succeed considering their final eight games are all at home.

2019-01-26	New Orleans Gold	Gold Stadium, New Orleans
2019-02-02
2019-02-08	Austin Elite	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-02-17	Seattle Seawolves	Starfire Stadium, Seattle
2019-02-22	Houston SaberCats	Constellation Field, Sugar Land
2019-03-02	Glendale Raptors	Infinity Park, Glendale
2019-03-10	San Diego Legion	Torero Stadium, San Diego

 

UTAH WARRIORS

The Warriors have but one player called up for the ARC thus far in Gannon Moore, a player who few knew was even headed to Utah ahead of the team announcement. For which games he’ll be selected we don’t know but Utah will be hoping it’s in the early going as they have only one game scheduled in the first three weeks of the MLR schedule.

Brazil have yet to confirm their roster. Josh Reeves is a critical member of the team but Utah suddenly have three capable New Zealanders at flyhalf. Tim O’Malley has joined from the Tasman Makos while backs coach James Semple, formerly at North Harbour and Counties Manukau, looks to be lacing up the boots again if only to provide short-term cover for Reeves.

Other Eagles contenders are Huluholo Mo’ungaloa, Angus MacLellan, and Matt Jensen but all appear to be on the outside looking in at the moment. Josh Whippy is getting closer to a return but isn’t quite back to full fitness after breaking his leg in the preseason last year.

POS	NAME	TEAM
FH	Josh Reeves	Brazil
CE	Gannon Moore	USA

It’s a slow start to the season for Utah but once things get going the intensity builds considerable. The first two games will be on the road, followed by three straight weeks at home. Picking up a win on the road and another two at home should be the goal. It won’t be easy, however, with finalists Glendale, a revamped NOLA side, and newcomers New York the first three visitors to Zions Bank Stadium.

2019-01-26
2019-02-01	Austin Elite	Dell Diamond, Round Rock
2019-02-09
2019-02-17	San Diego Legion	Torero Stadium, San Diego
2019-02-23	Glendale Raptors	Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
2019-03-02	New Orleans Gold	Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
2019-03-08	Rugby United New York	Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman