2020 Major League Rugby Dream Team

Picking a select XV after only five completed weeks of what was supposed to be a 16-game regular season with three weeks of playoffs doesn’t seem quite right. Some players who surely would have been prime contenders under normal circumstances hardly had the chance to fire a shot. Our Americas Rugby Championship selections are made after only five rounds, however, so we’ve opted to go ahead and make our choices anyway.

Criteria was relatively simple – each player had to have appeared in at least three of the five games. Individual form was then the only remaining criteria. Very few spots positions were unchallenged. It’s a testament to the growing strength of Major League Rugby that so many demanded consideration and we can only lament what might have been. MLR 2021 cannot come fast enough.

1 – James Rochford (Rugby United New York) Missed the Las Vegas trip to start the season on account of his new family addition but made up for lost time upon his return. Battled to the final whistle in the win over ATL, and won the scrum battle against Paul Mullen in San Diego to seal his place in the team. Runner-up last season, this time he takes the honors ahead of Seattle’s DJ Sears-Duru and NOLA’s Matt Harmon.

2 – Diego Fortuny (Houston SaberCats) The once-capped Puma was hardly off the plane from Argentina when he was thrown into the fray against Colorado. He produced a sterling 80 minute effort in the win to announce his arrival. Fortuny then came off the bench the next week and came mere inches away from inspiring the Cats to a come-from-behind win against Toronto. It was a close call but RUNY skipper Dylan Fawsitt will have to settle for second this time around.

3 – Cole Keith (Toronto Arrows) There were questions about Toronto’s strength at tighthead prop heading into the season following the departure of Morgan Mitchell. While depth remained an issue, the starting role was well and truly filled. Keith emerged from the preseason in career-best physical condition and it showed on the pitch as the 22-year-old New Brunswicker excelled against all comers. His 80-minute shift against ATL was likely the best of his young career. NOLA’s Dino Waldren wasn’t far off, while the Warriors had an impressive 1-2 combination in Angus MacLellan and super-sub Kalolo Tuiloma.

4 – Johan Momsen (Rugby ATL) The left side of the engine room wasn’t obvious but Momsen’s consistently high standards gets him in ahead of San Diego’s Joshua Furno and Utah’s John Cullen among others. An all-rounder who combined the mobility and ball-carrying of a loose forward with the zest for dirty work of a traditional lock. He’ll return to Griquas for the Currie Cup. If a Super Rugby contract isn’t forthcoming, the ‘Rattlers’ would welcome him back with open arms.

5 – Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York) A clear choice for the right side of the second row. Played every minute of the five games, a feat particularly helpful given RUNY’s visa delays that were compounded by brutal injuries to Trevor Cassidy and Alex MacDonald. The 30-year-old’s work rate in the loose was outstanding to go with his usual set piece contribution. There were several other standouts hovering a notch below such as Utah’s Matt Jensen and Raptors skipper Luke White.

6 – Tomás de la Vega (Toronto Arrows) There were flashier options here but none had the overall impact of the tireless Argentine. His tackling proficiency was among the best in the league and he was also prominent at the breakdown. de la Vega quickly became Toronto’s go-to man in the lineout as well, and his link play going forward was also exemplary. Arrows fans will relieved to know he is planning to return next season. The Legion’s Jasa Veremalua was our next best on the blindside.

7 – Mungo Mason (Old Glory DC) Arguably the most competitive position in the team. There were several outstanding openside candidates – Psalm Wooching of San Diego, ATL’s Matt Heaton, and Seattle star Nakai Penny come to mind among others. Mason was frozen out of the Legion’s 2018 season due to visa issues and finally got the chance to show his class after a spell in Scotland. An inspirational leader for the expansion side, relentlessly pursuing the ball on both sides of the pitch.

8 – Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold) Another tricky spot with cases to be made for a handful of others. Dolan’s 2019 campaign was disrupted by international call-ups. NOLA had him from the start and on form he looks a certainty to build on his 51 Eagles caps despite the increasing pressure from younger contenders like DC’s Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz and uncapped duo Ross Deacon of ATL and Seawolves captain Riekert Hattingh. Dynamic in attack and a prominent figure in defense.

9 – Danny Tusitala (Old Glory DC) For many teams there was competition for the starting role, while form wavered for some regular starters and last year’s winner Nate Augspurger was injured early in the third week. Scott Gale was an interesting candidate from NOLA, playing mostly scrumhalf this year after wearing No10 last season, though untimely illness slowed him down temporarily. It’s not easy to play halfback behind a retreating scrum, but Tusitala helped mitigate the problem with quick thinking and snappy service at ruck time.

10 – Jason Robertson (Old Glory DC) The other half of the standout partnership in MLR. Robertson’s goal kicking was inconsistent but he still led the league in points scored and conjured tries when he wasn’t scoring them himself. His wide passing game off both hands and ability to break the line with speed and footwork make him an unpredictable attacker. This was another position with several options, not least San Diego pivot Luke Burton and Houston’s Sam Windsor.

11 – Julián Domínguez (NOLA Gold) For whatever reason we never quite saw the best from MLR’s wingers, with forwards dominating the try-scoring charts. Limited possession meant they had to look for work and make the most of chances. Domínguez scored a superb individual try on debut against Old Glory and proved very difficult to contain in one-on-one situations. More highlight reel runs were sure to come from the Argentine, but it will have to wait until 2021. Last year’s choice John Ryberg had a quiet start for Colorado but was flexing his muscles again just as the season came to a halt.

12 – Ma’a Nonu (San Diego Legion) Would have been the odds-on favorite for selection heading in and he did not disappoint. It was the slick passing game that impressed even more so than his running. The presence of the All Black great predictably made an already intimidating San Diego backline into a truly frightening collective. New England’s Sam Beard and Gold vice-captain Con Foley were in competition for the best of those not named Nonu.

13 – Carl Meyer (NOLA Gold) Replacing Tristan Blewett is an unenviable task for anyone, but Meyer certainly made his mark for the Gold. Showing versatility by also covering fullback, it was in the midfield where the South African was most influential. A powerful ball carrier with a siege gun for a boot. Only three players across the league scored more points. A longer season would have seen the likes of Colorado’s Rene Ranger putting up a stronger argument.

14 – Save Totovosau (San Diego Legion) Toronto’s Dan Moor topped the winger charts with four tries while Poasa Waqanibau was a fearsome figure for the Free Jacks, splitting his time between outside center and right wing. Another Fijian required the attention of multiple defenders to contain. Totovosau’s huge wingspan allowed him to fend off would-be tacklers while he was also a favored target for Burton’s cross-kick bombs. Only scored two tries but he was a constant threat. Utah’s Gannon Moore was another who looked good with ball in hand.

15 – Sam Malcolm (Toronto Arrows) Had the season continued there was no doubt that New England’s Beaudein Waaka would have been in the mix. As it was he played only two games and left Toronto’s uber-kicker as the man to beat. Second in scoring to Robertson, Malcolm kicked more goals than anyone and did so with deadly accuracy. The 24-point showing against Seattle was among the best individual performances of the season. Mason Emerson made a big impression for Colorado.

2019 DREAM TEAM
1 Rob Brouwer (Toronto Arrows), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York), 3 Paddy Ryan (San Diego Legion), 4 Mike Sheppard (Toronto Arrows), 5 Brad Tucker (Seattle Seawolves), 6 Lance Williams (Utah Warriors), 7 Nakai Penny (Seattle Seawolves), 8 Ross Deacon (Rugby United New York), 9 Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion), 10 Joe Pietersen (San Diego Legion), 11 John Ryberg (Glendale Raptors), 12 JP du Plessis (San Diego Legion), 13 Tristan Blewett (NOLA Gold), 14 Brock Staller (Seattle Seawolves), 15 Mat Turner (Seattle Seawolves)

2018 DREAM TEAM
1 Olive Kilifi (Seattle Seawolves), 2 Zach Fenoglio (Glendale Raptors), 3 Tim Metcher (Seattle Seawolves), 4 Ben Mitchell (Austin Elite), 5 Matt Jensen (Utah Warriors), 6 Hanco Germishuys (Austin Elite), 7 Vili Toluta’u (Seattle Seawolves), 8 Sam Figg (Glendale Raptors), 9 Phil Mack (Seattle Seawolves), 10 Will Magie (Glendale Raptors), 11 Tonata Lauti (Utah Warriors), 12 Paul Lasike (Utah Warriors), 13 William Rasileka (Seattle Seawolves), 15 Maximo de Achaval (Glendale Raptors)