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There are now five weeks remaining in the Major League Rugby regular season and the playoff race is reaching a fever pitch. Adding a wrinkle to the mix is the untimely July test window that will see more than 50 players called up to international sides.
Players who are traveling with Canada and the USA will be unavailable from Sunday, June 27 and will miss the July 3 and 10 weekends. Those selected for South America’s World Cup Qualifiers will have varying departures and won’t be returning before the season’s end.
Seattle’s AJ Alatimu, called up by Samoa, is the only player currently set to join other teams. Namibia have not revealed their roster yet for the Rugby Africa Qualifiers though their five MLR players are unlikely to be required until later this year.
Below we take a team-by-team look at what the rest of the season might have in store.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
#1 RUGBY ATL
CURRENT POINTS: 41
MAXIMUM POINTS: 61
REMAINING GAMES: 4 (v HOU, v OGDC, bye, @ UTAH, @ NEFJ)
CALL-UPS: 4 – Chance Wenglewski (LH, USA), Conor Keys (LO, Canada), Matt Heaton (FL, Canada), Ryan Rees (SH, USA)
The disappointing road loss to New York may end up costing them home field advantage in the Semi Final, but the Ratlers remain in good shape to secure their spot in the postseason. A bye week falls on one of the test days, meaning their internationals could miss only the road game at Utah, which happens to be their most challenging game remaining though the Warriors will be absent five players.
#2 RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
CURRENT POINTS: 39
MAXIMUM POINTS: 64
REMAINING GAMES: 5 (v UTAH, @ TOR, @ NEFJ, v HOU, v NOLA)
CALL-UPS: 4 – Wilton Rebolo (HO/PR, Brazil), Nate Brakeley (LO, USA), Nick Civetta (LO, USA), Hanco Germishuys (FL, USA), Quinn Ngawati (CE, Canada)
Conversely the big win over ATL puts New York in prime position to finish at the top of the Eastern Conference. They now trail the Ratlers by only two points but have one game at hand. With three home games remaining it would be a brave soul who bets against them making the playoffs. Their four North American selections could miss three games unless the July 27 match against Toronto is moved to the day before. Wilton Rebolo will not be playing for Brazil against Paraguay. Assuming the Tupis are victorious as expected, he will join them for the July 11 game against either Chile or Colombia.
#3 NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
CURRENT POINTS: 34
MAXIMUM POINTS: 54
REMAINING GAMES: 4 (bye, v NOLA, v RUNY, @ TOR, v ATL)
CALL-UPS: 1 – Josh Larsen (LO, Canada)
The Free Jacks will lose only one player for the games against New York and Toronto. Unfortunately it’s captain Josh Larsen, a big loss, though they have the likes of Ronan McCusker and Matt Wirken to fill in at lock. Time is against them now though they do have the advantage of three home games to end the campaign. They have a week off to recover and prepare for the do-or-die match against NOLA on June 26. A win over New York looks a little more plausible based on who their guests will be missing but it’s still going to be a tall order to overtake either of the top two sides.
#4 NOLA GOLD
CURRENT POINTS: 34
MAXIMUM POINTS: 59
REMAINING GAMES: 5 (@ TOR, @ NEFJ, @ LA, @ SEA, @ RUNY)
CALL-UPS: 8 – Eric Howard (HO, Canada), Ignacio Dotti (LO, Uruguay), Nikola Bursic (LO/FL, Chile), Andrew Guerra (FL, USA), Cam Dolan (N8, USA), Lockie Kratz (CE, Canada)
It’s mixed feelings for NOLA as they celebrate the selection of six players but will be in a tough spot against LA and Seattle. The win over Old Glory keeps their hopes alive, and with a game at hand have more chances to make up ground. All five are on the road, however, which makes things significantly more difficult. A loss to either Toronto or New England would almost certainly be the end.
EDIT: Kyle Baillie and Dino Waldren have now been called up by Canada and the USA respectively.
#5 OLD GLORY DC
CURRENT POINTS: 27
MAXIMUM POINTS: 47
REMAINING GAMES: 4 (bye, @ ATL, @ TOR, v SDL, v AG)
CALL-UPS: 4 – Mike Sosene-Feagai (HO, USA), Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (N8, USA), Mike Dabulas (FH/FB, USA), Doug Fraser (CE, Canada)
Old Glory are out of the race but can still play a spoiler role. They will have this weekend off before facing a tough road game against ATL, though they should be at full strength with Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz returning from suspension. Their strong core of young American talent should get valuable playing time to round out the campaign with an eye towards next season. The last few weeks will also serve as a farewell for departing star Jason Robertson.
#6 TORONTO ARROWS
CURRENT POINTS: 23
MAXIMUM POINTS: 43
REMAINING GAMES: 4 (v NOLA, v RUNY, v OGDC, v NEFJ, bye)
CALL-UPS: 12 – Cole Keith (LH, Canada), Andrew Quattrin (HO, Canada), Tyler Rowland (TH, Canada), Lucas Rumball (FL, Canada), Manuel Diana (N8, Uruguay), Ross Braude (SH, Canada), Will Kelly (FH, Canada), Spencer Jones (CE, Canada), Ben LeSage (CE, Canada), Leandro Leivas (WI, Uruguay), Gastón Mieres (WI, Uruguay), Patrick Parfrey (FB, Canada)
It’s been an unforgiving campaign for the Arrows, who have shown flashes of their ability but struggled to cope with an entire season spent on the road. Like Old Glory they can still have influence on the playoff picture with this weekend’s game against NOLA the last before their internationals depart. Three reinforcements have already been announced with another four set to arrive in time for next week’s game against New York.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
#1 LA GILTINIS
CURRENT POINTS: 46
MAXIMUM POINTS: 71
REMAINING GAMES: 5 (@ SDL, @ SEA, v NOLA, v AG, @ UTAH)
CALL-UPS: 2 – Luke Carty (FH, USA), Ryan James (WI, USA)
The Giltinis are in cruise control and with only two players currently slated to depart should have no problem clinching their spot in the Conference Final in the next week or two. Keeping their veterans healthy for the playoffs will be the priority. They could also potentially see a return of flanker Harry McNulty if Ireland aren’t successful at the Olympic Repechage event in Monaco this weekend.
#2 UTAH WARRIORS
CURRENT POINTS: 41
MAXIMUM POINTS: 61
REMAINING GAMES: 4 (@ RUNY, @ HOU, bye, v ATL, v LA)
CALL-UPS: 5 – Paul Mullen (TH, USA), Michael Baska (SH, USA), Fraser Hurst (SH, Canada), Mika Kruse (CE/WI, USA), Mike Te’o (FB, USA)
Three straight wins over conference rivals Austin, Seattle, and San Diego have put the Warriors in prime position to claim the second playoff spot in the West. Their remaining games are not easy, with three playoff contenders still to play. Bonus points against New York and a win over Houston might be enough to see them through depending on how the AG’s and Legion fare this weekend. A bye week softens the blow of losing five players to international duty.
#3 AUSTIN GILGRONIS
CURRENT POINTS: 36
MAXIMUM POINTS: 56
REMAINING GAMES: 4 (@ SEA, @ SDL, bye, @ LA, @ OGDC)
CALL-UPS: 6 – Reegan O’Gorman (LO, Canada), Ruben de Haas (SH, USA), Marcelo Torrealba (SH, Chile), Bryce Campbell (CE, USA), Cole Davis (WI, Canada), Conner Mooneyham (WI, USA)
A huge bonus-point win over the Arrows keep the AG’s in the picture though they’ll have to get it done on the road, a difficult task at the best of times. The good news is the call-ups won’t hurt them too badly with a bye week and a match they are expected to lose anyway during the test window. They’ll need to target a bonus-point win over Seattle this weekend or their chances will take a nose dive.
#4 SAN DIEGO LEGION
CURRENT POINTS: 31
MAXIMUM POINTS: 51
REMAINING GAMES: 4 (v LA, v AG, v SEA, @ OGDC, bye)
CALL-UPS: 3 – Siaosi Mahoni (LO, USA), Michael Smith (FL, Canada), Psalm Wooching (FL, USA)
The pain of defeat against Utah is still being felt and it has severely crippled San Diego’s chances. They now face the unenviable prospect of needing a win against LA to keep even faint hope alive. Three players will miss the final two games of the season, though they may have a certain Bernard Foley to add firepower if his visa clearance comes through. With three of their games at home there is still a chance the Legion could sneak in.
#5 SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
CURRENT POINTS: 15
MAXIMUM POINTS: 40
REMAINING GAMES: 5 (v AG, v LA, @ SDL, v NOLA, v HOU)
CALL-UPS: 4 – Jake Ilnicki (TH, Canada), Djustice Sears-Duru (LH, Canada), Riekert Hattingh (N8, USA), AJ Alatimu (FH/CE, Samoa)
The rebuilding has already begun with a couple new players arriving this week and others departing. A new Head Coach is in place for next season and there is reason to be optimistic for Seawolves fans. They have shown signs of life in recent weeks and with four of their five games at home have every chance of ruining someone else’s plans.
#6 HOUSTON SABERCATS
CURRENT POINTS: 13
MAXIMUM POINTS: 33
REMAINING GAMES: 4 (@ ATL, v UTAH, bye, @ RUNY, @ SEA)
CALL-UPS: 4 – Liam Murray (LH, Canada), Lucas Albornoz (LO, Canada), Diego Magno (FL, Uruguay), Robbie Povey (FH/FB, Canada)
Thoughts have also switched to next season for the SaberCats with an entirely new coaching staff on their shopping list. Significant turnover can also be expected on the playing roster so these last four games will bring a close to the Houston stay for a few notable veterans. Any wins at this stage would be welcome, but with three road games and three playoff contenders on the list the outlook isn’t great.
