MLR Off-Season Update – Rugby ATL

With the start of preseason just a couple weeks away for most Major League Rugby sides, we take a team-by-team look at the personnel and operations status of each side. First up will be Rugby ATL, an entirely new team who will enter 2020 as a bit of a mystery.

2019 CAMPAIGN

Atlanta are the only team heading into 2020 that have yet to play a single game. Their expansion counterparts New England and DC each had a run of exhibition games in the spring and while their rosters are both significantly different, it does give them a leg up in preparedness.

Helping ATL is that a large part of their incoming have been playing in the American Rugby Premiership for one of two teams – Life Running Eagles and 404 Rugby. The latter is their official development side, while the Running Eagles are their top collegiate feeder program.

HOME VENUE

As expected, the team will be using Life University’s rugby and soccer pitch – Lupo Field in Marietta – as their home base in 2020. It will be fitted with extra seating to accommodate the team in the short run. Some have suggested that Herndon Stadium could be a future venue. The central Atlanta location is desirable but having fallen into disrepair since being abandoned by Morris Brown College in 2002, it would require significant renovation to become usable.

COACHING STAFF

Long-time Life coach Scott Lawrence was confirmed as Head Coach a year ago. He has now taken on double-duty as General Manager, with the previous partnership with Tiger Rugby quietly ended and James Walker departing. Former Duendes prop Santiago Sodini has been hired as Team Manager.

Joining Lawrence on the coaching side are former Eagles flyhalf Nese Malifa, who will run the backs, and Blake Bradford from Life, who will take charge of the forwards. South African hooker Neethling Gericke has been working with the defense at Life and could also be used in a coaching capacity with ATL.

2020 ROSTER

Communications have been a bit sluggish from ATL on a number of fronts, player personnel included. Only 16 players have been officially confirmed thus far though a number of others have been identified either through the club’s social media feed or their own individual accounts.

Versatility has been a theme thus far with several players capable of lining up in multiple positions. Eagles cap Alex Maughan looks to be focusing on hooker at the moment, while Amro Gouda has been covering loosehead prop having been reserve hooker with the SaberCats last season.

It’s the same story in the backs. Duncan van Schalkwyk has been playing largely at scrumhalf for Life, while Martini Talapusi has been running out at flyhalf with 404. Austin White covers across the outside backs with Zander van Schalkwyk capable of filling in anywhere from No10 to fullback.

The most recent confirmations have been tighthead prop Sam Chaney and former 1st team All-American Paris Hollis, a prop while at Life but now seen primarily as a flanker. MLR veterans Ross Deacon and Harley Davidson have enrolled at Life University and will suit up for ATL after starring for New York and Glendale respectively.

Set to return to MLR after a year away is SFGG lock or blindside flanker Sam Peri. He suited up for San Diego in 2018 and brings useful lineout height though not the biggest body in the engine room. Former Austin utility back Zac Mizell has been playing flyhalf and center for Life recently and could also make a return to the pro league.

Others who could get a look include versatile front row Cullen Barelka. The 23-year-old played for Old Glory in the spring but is now with 404. Scrumhalf or winger Eamonn Matthews was a Rudy Scholz award nominee as the country’s best collegiate player in 2019. He has joined 404 from St. Bonaventure.

WHAT’S MISSING

This is a very young team, with nobody on the roster as it stands over the age of 30. Some experienced heads in the tight five would be useful, with Conor Keys the only specialist lock and both tighthead specialists coming from local club rugby. Hooker and back row look well stocked at the moment.

The backs are young and exciting and there is plenty of speed available out wide. A big center who can bend the gainline looks needed, and an experienced head at flyhalf would also be welcome depending on where they see van Schalkwyk and Talapusi, and if 31-year-old Mizell is on their radar.

IN (25):

Julian Montes, LH, Life Running Eagles
Chance Wenglewski, LH, Rugby United New York
Neethling Gericke, HO, Life Running Eagles
Amro Gouda, HO, Houston SaberCats
Alex Maughan, HO/TH, NOLA Gold
Sam Chaney, TH, Little Rock Stormers
Jamie Ferrante, TH, Life Running Eagles
Conor Keys, LO, Rotherham Titans (UK)
Sam Peri, LO/FL, SFGG
Jason Damm, FL, Glendale Raptors
Matt Heaton, FL, Darlington Mowden Park (UK)
Frederic Henry-Ajudua, FL, Life Running Eagles
Paris Hollis, FL, Old Blue
Ross Deacon, N8, Rugby United New York
Maciu Koroi, N8, Life Running Eagles
Kurtis Werner, SH, AIC
Duncan van Schalkwyk, SH/FH, Life Running Eagles
Martini Talapusi, FH/FB, Life West Gladiators
Sean Coughlan, CE, Life Running Eagles
Zach Young, CE, Arkansas State
Austin White, CE/WI, Life Running Eagles
Harley Davidson, WI, Glendale Raptors
Jeremy Misailegalu, WI, Utah Warriors
Harley Wheeler, WI, Life Running Eagles
Zander van Schalkwyk, FB, Life Running Eagles