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Tonight the class of the 2021 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft will be revealed. Last year’s inaugural edition saw 24 players selected over two rounds, though it should also be noted that an additional six collegiate players were subsequently chosen in a Supplementary Draft primarily used to disperse players signed by the Dallas Jackals.
One of the big questions heading into the draft, a new concept in rugby circles, was how many would make an impact in their first season as professionals. The numbers are positive. Of the 30 players total, 25 stuck with MLR teams through the season, 23 seeing game time, and 15 earning starts.
Perhaps most remarkable was that four players were selected to the USA Eagles squad, with two making test debuts. Andrew Guerra and Christian Dyer played in the July tests, Ryan Rees traveled with the team, and Conner Mooneyham only missed out due to injury.
Below we look back at the Class of 2020 and how they fared in the time since.
ROUND 1
#1
Conner Mooneyham
Team: Austin Gilgronis
Selected by: Dallas Jackals
Position: Wing / Fullback
MLR Debut: March 30 vs Utah Warriors
Games Played: 12
Games Started: 12
It can be argued that the Life University product exceeded expectations despite his 1st overall selection. In fact Mooneyham holds the distinction of being the only player drafted twice – once by Dallas in the Collegiate Draft and then 3rd overall in the Supplementary Draft by Austin, where he would establish himself as a starter on the right wing. Named in the initial Eagles squad, he missed out on the UK tour after taking a head knock against San Diego just prior to the trip.
#2
Brian Nault
Team: NOLA Gold
Selected by: NOLA Gold
Position: Tighthead Prop
MLR Debut: March 27 vs Rugby United New York
Games Played: 7
Games Started: 1
After playing on both sides of the scrum for Central Washington, Nault added bulk and settled in at tighthead prop for the Gold. He shared time with John Sullivan as backup to starter Dino Waldren but notably earned his first start in the sensational win over the LA Giltinis in early July.
#3
Derek Ellingson
Team: Utah Warriors
Selected by: Utah Warriors
Position: Center / Wing
MLR Debut: April 24 vs Houston SaberCats
Games Played: 6
Games Started: 4
Breaking into Utah’s backline is no easy feat but Ellingson managed to start four games at inside center. It seems more likely that his future is a little wider once he gets more accustomed to the defensive schemes and attack patterns at the pro level, but this was a good start to his career.
#4
Lui Sitama
Team: Rugby ATL
Selected by: Austin Gilgronis
Position: Center
MLR Debut: April 10 vs NOLA Gold
Games Played: 1
Games Started: 0
After appearing in all three of Austin’s preseason matches, Sitama didn’t make much of an impression in the regular season. One brief replacement appearance was it, and he was later traded to Rugby ATL for future considerations. Has yet to make his debut for the Ratlers.
#5
Aaron Matthews
Team: Seattle Seawolves
Selected by: Seattle Seawolves
Position: Utility Back
MLR Debut: March 20 vs Houston SaberCats
Games Played: 11
Games Started: 5
A flyhalf or center for Saint Mary’s and the USA u20s, Matthews started the season on the wing for Seattle. He impressed during the World Tens Series tournament in Bermuda with his footwork and eye for the gap and after recovering from an arm injury carried that form into the MLR season. Started two games at inside center at the tail end of the campaign.
#6
Justin Johnson
Team: New England Free Jacks
Selected by: New England Free Jacks
Position: Flanker
MLR Debut: March 20 vs LA Giltinis
Games Played: 14
Games Started: 8
Another who got off to a flying start right out of the gate. Johnson’s work rate and lineout ability saw him feature initially as a blindside flanker but he also filled in at openside in the absence of first choice Joe Johnston. Played a supporting role once Tera Mtembu settled in. Looks to have a bright future.
#7
John Powers
Team: Utah Warriors
Selected by: Utah Warriors
Position: Fullback
MLR Debut: July 10 vs Rugby ATL
Games Played: 1
Games Started: 0
Played both flyhalf and fullback for Iona College, it’s at the latter where he looks to be earmarked for the Warriors. Came off the bench to play a couple minutes against ATL near the end of the season.
#8
Mike Matarazzo
Team: Rugby ATL
Selected by: Rugby ATL
Position: Lock
MLR Debut: July 18 vs New England Free Jacks
Games Played: 1
Games Started: 1
Earned plaudits from his teammates for his contributions at training but had to be patient for his opportunity to play. Played the first half against the Free Jacks in the final round of the regular season. Remains to be seen if his future is in the second or back row.
#9
Tommy Clark
Team: Seattle Seawolves
Selected by: Dallas Jackals
Position: Flanker
MLR Debut: April 10 vs Utah Warriors
Games Played: 11
Games Started: 3
Initially selected by Dallas, Clark was picked up as a free agent by Seattle and quickly earned a spot in the match day 23. Played some lock with the USA u20s and No8 with AIC, but it was on the flank where he found a home. Like Matthews, he should be a priority long-term retention for the rebuilding Seawolves.
#10
Andrew Guerra
Team: NOLA Gold
Selected by: NOLA Gold
Position: Openside Flanker
MLR Debut: March 21 vs Old Glory DC
Games Played: 12
Games Started: 11
Went from being a near-unknown to earning MLR Rookie of the Year honors and making his test debut for the Eagles in the span of a year. Earned the starting No7 shirt for the Gold in a very competitive back row group. The best pick of the draft in terms of return relative to placement.
#11
Casey Renaud
Team: Old Glory DC
Selected by: Old Glory DC
Position: Lock
MLR Debut: March 21 vs NOLA Gold
Games Played: 9
Games Started: 0
He was tall, but could he play? Turns out he can. While he didn’t end up getting a start, Renaud got some quality playing time including over an hour against eventual champs LA early in the season. That will stand him in good stead moving forward.
#12
Patrick Madden
Team: San Diego Legion
Selected by: San Diego Legion
Position: Flyhalf
MLR Debut: April 24 vs LA Giltinis
Games Played: 5
Games Started: 1
Shoehorned into the scrumhalf spot to cover an injury crisis early in the season against New England, a decision that didn’t work out. With the arrival of USA u20 teammate Ethan McVeigh he can now focus on his preferred spot of flyhalf. One of the youngest players in the draft, he has time on his side.
ROUND 2
#13
Levi van Lanen
Team: unattached
Selected by: Dallas Jackals
Position: Center
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0
Plucked out of Division 2 side Wisconsin-Whitewater, the big midfielder was left in the cold when Dallas dropped out and did not resurface with another team. Hopefully the Jackals will give him another opportunity in their second bite at the cherry.
#14
Watson Filikitonga
Team: LA Giltinis
Selected by: LA Giltinis
Position: Center
MLR Debut: April 17 vs Houston SaberCats
Games Played: 2
Games Started: 0
Had some minor injuries and saw limited action behind the league’s best midfield pairing of Bill Meakes and Adam Ashley-Cooper, while Luke Burton and Seru Vularika also ate up game time. Can be expected to get more opportunities in 2022.
#15
Danny Giannascoli
Team: unattached
Selected by: Utah Warriors
Position: Flyhalf
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0
Handed a surprise start at No10 in Utah’s preseason hit-out against ATL and did not look over-awed, but something between then and the early weeks of the campaign didn’t sit right and he left the team without playing any games. Instead played club rugby for Schuylkill River and led the team in scoring.
#16
Mason Koch
Team: Austin Gilgronis
Selected by: Austin Gilgronis
Position: Hooker
MLR Debut: March 20 vs Utah Warriors
Games Played: 9
Games Started: 2
Wasn’t expected to see a lot of playing time behind experienced duo Robbie Coetzee and Hugh Roach, but Koch took his chances and played very well in his two early season starts against San Diego and Houston. Rugged and displayed a maturity beyond his years.
#17
Nick Taylor
Team: Seattle Seawolves
Selected by: Seattle Seawolves
Position: Fullback
MLR Debut: May 2 vs Rugby United New York
Games Played: 1
Games Started: 0
The only Canadian-eligible player selected in the draft made only one brief appearance during the regular season. A versatile backline player for Lindenwood, he trained as a fullback for Seattle and it remains to be seen where his future lies.
#18
Spencer Krueger
Team: New England Free Jacks
Selected by: New England Free Jacks
Position: Tighthead Prop
MLR Debut: May 15 vs Rugby ATL
Games Played: 3
Games Started: 0
After recovering from a long-term knee injury, Krueger impressed during preseason training and remains a solid prospect for the future. Made only three replacement appearances but will have learned much under the tutelage of Japan veteran Kensuke Hatakeyama and first choice No3 Erich de Jager.
#19
Elijah Hayes
Team: Utah Warriors
Selected by: Utah Warriors
Position: Tighthead Prop
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0
Dressed for the preseason game against ATL but didn’t see the field, and didn’t get a chance during the regular season with Eagles trio Angus MacLellan, Paul Mullen, and Olive Kilifi all healthy. Looks to have shed some excess body weight and still very young for a prop with a lot of upside.
#20
John Scotti
Team: unattached
Selected by: Rugby ATL
Position: Center / Wing
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0
Played on the wing during the preseason intra-squad match but didn’t stick around long once the regular season arrived. He signed for Rugby League side Atlanta Rhinos but then the proposed professional competition was cancelled and Scotti was left in the rugby wilderness.
#21
Bronson Teles
Team: Houston SaberCats
Selected by: Dallas Jackals
Position: Blindside Flanker
MLR Debut: March 27 vs New England Free Jacks
Games Played: 10
Games Started: 2
Initially selected by Dallas, the Houston local was signed by the SaberCats as a free agent. It was a good fit, with Teles playing a valuable role as a physical blindside replacement and occasional lock cover. Started one game each at the two positions.
#22
Stephen McLeish
Team: NOLA Gold
Selected by: LA Giltinis
Position: Hooker
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0
The youngest player selected in the draft, he was part of the deal that sent Lindsey Stevens to LA. Did not see game time for NOLA with both Pat O’Toole and Eric Howard present and Kevin O’Connor taking a step forward in his conversion to the front row. A USA u20 cap, he has time on his side.
#23
Matthew Gordon
Team: unknown
Selected by: Old Glory DC
Position: Back Row
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0
The Scotsman was the only overseas player selected in the draft, largely due to concerns about visa acquisition. Old Glory have not specified if that was the reason for his absence from any match day squads this season, but he was also missing from the year-end team picture with no explanation. Fellow Mary Washington standout Harry Masters, from Australia, also did not pan out for DC after initially verbally agreeing to join the team.
#24
Cole Zarcone
Team: San Diego Legion
Selected by: San Diego Legion
Position: Wing
MLR Debut: April 3 vs Rugby ATL
Games Played: 6
Games Started: 3
Another who wasn’t expected to feature much given the presence of Bjorn Basson, Cam Clark, and Save Totovosau, but Zarcone was a pleasant surprise who never let his team down when called upon. An offseason of physical development will see him progress further.
SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFT
#8
Christian Dyer
Team: unattached
Selected by: Rugby United New York
Position: Center / Wing
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0
Selected by New York but opted instead to focus on Eagles Sevens training. Ultimately did not make the cut for Tokyo and was perhaps unlucky not to do so, but was instead handed a surprise call-up to the Eagles for their July tour and played in both tests. New York will be keen to retain his services for 2022.
#9
Ryan Rees
Team: Rugby ATL
Selected by: NOLA Gold
Position: Scrumhalf
MLR Debut: March 27 vs Old Glory DC
Games Played: 14
Games Started: 6
Selected by NOLA but then traded to ATL in a deal that saw Keanu Andrade heading in the other direction. Rees made an immediate impression for the Ratlers, leapfrogging another top prospect in Duncan van Schalkwyk in the pecking order and earning a call-up to the Eagles squad for the UK tour though he did not ultimately win a cap.
#10
Sam Cusano
Team: Old Glory DC
Selected by: Old Glory DC
Position: Wing
MLR Debut: March 21 vs NOLA Gold
Games Played: 10
Games Started: 7
One of two young American wingers picked up by DC. Cusano impressed not only with his finishing ability but his toughness to earn a regular spot in the lineup. Will benefit from an offseason focusing on building up his body to help survive collisions.
#11
James Mocke
Team: Utah Warriors
Selected by: Toronto Arrows
Position: Lock
MLR Debut: March 20 vs Austin Gilgronis
Games Played: 3
Games Started: 0
After playing for the Warriors Selects he was drafted by the Arrows as potential emergency cover but ultimately was returned to Utah. Ended up being signed to a short-term MLR contract to start the season and got the job done. The lumpy South African is US-eligible and could see more time next season.
#19
Keanu Andrade
Team: Rugby United New York
Selected by: Rugby ATL
Position: Scrumhalf / Center
MLR Debut: July 17 vs NOLA Gold
Games Played: 1
Games Started: 0
Drafted by ATL, traded to NOLA, and then finished the year with New York. His debut came in the final game of the regular season. The main question surrounds his best position. He has the build of a scrumhalf but seems to be better suited to the midfield.
#20
D’Montae Noble
Team: Old Glory DC
Selected by: Rugby United New York
Position: Wing
MLR Debut: March 21 vs NOLA Gold
Games Played: 13
Games Started: 5
Effectively the last collegiate player selected, he was traded by New York to Old Glory in exchange for a 1st Round pick in the 2021 draft. DC will be very pleased with their decision. Noble turned heads with his explosive attacking ability and his pocket-rocket physique left a few would-be tacklers seated on their behind. Singled out by Gary Gold as a potential Eagles contender in the future.
