Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The third round of the Major League Rugby season started with another convincing win for the Seawolves, who are joined in the unbeaten category by the SaberCats after their come-from-behind effort against the Legion. NOLA continue to struggle, DC collapsed in New York, and the Hounds came close but no cigar in their historic home opener.
1 – Jarred Adams (NOLA Gold) Back at his preferred loosehead spot with the arrival of Sean Paranihi, Adams contributed more strong carries and the scrum looked solid even against the mighty John-Roy Jenkinson. It was a strong start for the Gold but unfortunately they fell off the pace in the second half.
2 – Ben Strang (Rugby ATL) The first start for the US-born New Zealander was a good one. He showed his skills in the loose with some back-like handling that created a try. Also accurate in the lineout.
3 – Morgan Mitchell (Houston SaberCats) What a treat to see this gamer back in MLR. Houston fans are now seeing what Toronto once had as Mitchell crashed and bashed his way around the park for over an hour in the win over San Diego.
4 – Ben Landry (Seattle Seawolves) The second Ben in our team this week. His sequence to start the second half was the type of things second rows dream of – charge down a kick, smash into opposition, offload to teammate to set up try.
5 – Ben Grant (San Diego Legion) Make it three Bens! Picked off a lineout in the first half that led directly to a try for Christian Poidevin. The big man then crashed over for a try himself in the second half.
6 – Brad Tucker (New York Ironworkers) It’s been a while since we’ve seen Tucker fully fit and at his best. He looks to be approaching his 2019 form again with some hard-nosed play on both sides of the ball for the Ironworkers. San Diego’s Christian Poidevin was in the mix until his untimely yellow card late in the game against Houston.
7 – Lance Williams (Utah Warriors) Switched positions with Bailey Wilson ahead of the game, and Williams looked every inch an openside. Yes, he gave away a yellow card, but Chicago were made keenly aware of his presence for every minute he was on the pitch.
8 – Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves) Another brace for Hattingh, who is red hot to start this campaign. Also a presence in the lineout and made a couple heavy tackles.
9 – Richard Judd (San Diego Legion) Has fit in well with San Diego’s game plan as a classy distributor. He scored a try in support of Marcel Brache and created another for Ben Grant. On the other side of the pitch, Nick Boyer came on earlier than expected and played a key role for Houston.
10 – Jack Heighton (New York Ironworkers) Not much needs to be said here. Three tries, two conversions, one penalty goal. All class against Old Glory.
11 – Julián Domínguez (Chicago Hounds) Every time he touched the ball there were alarm bells ringing for Utah’s defense. He didn’t score himself, but a line break set up three points for Luke Carty and another interjection led to a try for Caleb Strum. Sadly left the field with a shoulder injury and it could be a few weeks before we see him back.
12 – Dom Akina (Houston SaberCats) Interim Eagles coach Scott Lawrence singled Akina out as a player he is keeping an eye on, and for good reason. Created a try for Christian Dyer in the first half and then smashed over for one of his own late in the game.
13 – Marcel Brache (San Diego Legion) Looks to be enjoying his return to the midfield after a couple years of playing mostly fullback. He sliced through to put Judd away in the first half and was always threatening with ball in hand.
14 – Gerrie Labuschagne (Houston SaberCats) Put in a couple huge touch-finders and covered a lot of ground in defense. His intercept try early in the second half came against the run of play and likely saved the game for the Cats.
15 – Duncan Matthews (Seattle Seawolves) Another Seawolf who has picked up right where he left off last season. His footwork to beat three players in a phone booth for a try was a thing of beauty.
