Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Some former Major League Rugby players have signed up to take part in a new US-based Rugby League competition. The North American Rugby League (NARL) is set to launch in June with a dozen US-based teams. Two Canadian sides – the Ottawa Aces and a revived Toronto Wolfpack – are committed for the 2022 season with the pandemic putting their immediate participation on hold.
It’s intended that the league will be professional though the league has already experienced one stumbling block. While the Canadian Rugby League Association has given NARL its blessing, the American equivalent – USARL – released a statement saying it has not yet sanctioned the competition.
In the meantime teams are racing to put together competitive rosters. The most prominent MLR names to date are Austin Armadillo signings Maikeli Naromaitoga and Lino Saunitoga, both of whom started all five games for the Austin Gilgronis last season.
A pair of ex-Rugby ATL loose forwards have been linked with the Atlanta Rhinos. Once-capped USA international Harry Higgins and former CFL defensive lineman Frederick Henry-Ajudua could feature with the team this season.
Former Old Glory winger Ryan Burroughs, who did not in the end win an MLR cap, is the coach of DC Cavalry. Ex-Utah Warriors winger Nolan Tuamoheloa has joined the Portland Loggers along with one-time Seawolves fullback Moses Lalasava.
Both Tuamoheloa and Lalasava have been part of the Hartford Harpooners recently, a rugby union development program spearheaded by former Rugby United New York winger Marcus Satavu. He himself has signed on with the Phoenix Venom of NARL.
The Harpooners featured MLR veterans Amro Gouda and Matt Hughston this past weekend in their game against the Colorado XOs, the new crossover program based at Glendale’s Infinity Park. Playing for the XOs were Campbell Johnstone and Seimou Smith, formerly of the Colorado Raptors and Rugby United New York respectively.
