MLR 2020 Review – Colorado Raptors

A disappointing 2019 season saw the Raptors make significant changes in the off-season. Peter Borlase took over a new-look coaching staff and the team itself re-branded, shedding their Glendale label for the all-encompassing Colorado state moniker. Both seemed positive choices but they were only papering over seismic damage to the organizational foundation.

RESULTS

Ignoring the off-field turmoil for a moment, the team provided streaks of entertainment in the five weeks of regular season action. A slow start saw lackluster road defeats to both Houston and San Diego but the Raptors could be considered unlucky after a very tight call cost them a likely draw against NOLA.

The first win came in Week Four as they took it to their Rocky Mountain rivals Utah at Infinity Park. Top recruits Rene Ranger and Mason Emerson were in full flight by this point and growing confidence spilled over into their match against the Arrows. The visitors were pressing at the end but Colorado held on to close out their MLR account with a win.

TOP PERFORMERS

Luke White assumed the captaincy after the retirement of Shaun Davies and the passionate Australian is a textbook example of leading from the front. Even he couldn’t salvage the struggling scrum. Around the pitch Connor Cook stood out in a constantly revolving back row.

Returning players in the backs had their say, not least Robbie Petzer to continued to be force on the run and with the boot. Chad London looked in good form in the midfield while Mika Kruse rebounded from an underwhelming 2019 with some dynamic play despite being stuck on the wing. John Ryberg made the most of limited opportunities to add to his try-scoring total.

NEW NAMES

There were 13 new Raptors caps in 2020, including five New Zealanders. Ranger and Emerson added potency to the back division while Michael Curry, Mike Stewart, and Sam Slade saw plenty of action up front. Of those Slade made the biggest splash with his powerful ball carrying off the back of the scrum.

Zak Taulafo was brought in to help shore up the set piece but it’s fair to say the 37-year-old was showing his age. Nick Boyer’s talents were underused at scrumhalf, while Irish flyhalf Tomás Quinlan didn’t seem to fit the game plan. Seth Halliman returned after a year in exile but made little impression.

MISSING MEN

Former Australia winger Digby Ioane did not arrive prior to the season being canned. USA international Aladdin Schirmer made just one replacement appearance due to injury while loosehead prop Blake Rogers made none. Promising midfielder Campbell Johnstone saw no game time, ditto for wingers Nick Johnson and Mateo Gadsden.

HOME BASE

Having had so-so results in the attendance department leading into the season, there were encouraging signs in the last two games of the season. Infinity Park remains one of the premier facilities around the league and it’s a terrible shame that a professional team will not be based there in 2021.

WISH LIST

Is new ownership too much to ask for?

OUTLOOK

Rumors of a disgruntled headquarters began circulating prior to the 2020 kickoff and as the saying goes, where there is smoke… Less than a month after the season was called off, the team announced they were withdrawing from Major League Rugby. Their players are new being re-allocated to other teams and the Raptors, it seems, are no more.