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The sixth season of Major League Rugby is in the books, with 101 games played and a new champion crowned. Despite a record-setting campaign from the San Diego Legion, it was the New England Free Jacks who emerged victorious in a captivating final attended by over 10,000 in Chicago.
In general the Western Conference proved superior over the course of the season with Old Glory reaching the playoffs in the East – and knocking out the defending champions – though they finished the regular season with a losing record. Dallas recorded their first victories and the expansion Chicago Hounds played their part, with the Toronto Arrows finishing with the dreaded Wooden Spoon.
All but one player in our select XV this year came from a playoff-bound team, with the exception showing his class with a second consecutive nomination as the best in his position. Indeed there was only one repeat selection from last season, though three others have featured in previous Dream Teams.
Once again the primary consideration for selection was sustained form throughout the season, with a minimum of eight games played required for nomination. Even with that requirement, two players got the nod after missing the majority of the first half of the season.
1 – Jack Iscaro (Old Glory DC) A strong campaign earned him an Eagles debut last year, an outstanding season this year has cemented his place above any other domestic candidate. Iscaro was the cornerstone of the DC scrum, repeatedly put attackers on their backside, and frequently stayed on past the 70-minute mark. All things considered, a fairly obvious choice.
2 – Dylan Fawsitt (New York Ironworkers) The first player to earn three ARN Dream Team selections. Just days away from his 33rd birthday, The Butcher shows no signs of slowing down. Reliable as ever at the set piece and if anything he might have been even more rambunctious in the loose. He might be the first hooker in the world to kick a 50-22. San Diego’s Sama Malolo was an absolute terror in the collisions, and New England’s Andrew Quattrin enjoyed his best season to date.
3 – Juan Pablo Zeiss (Dallas Jackals) Moved to a different Texas team but was every bit as influential. Zeiss anchored the Dallas scrum without losing any impact in the loose. Sometimes appears like an extra flanker with his work at the breakdown, and his carrying was outstanding. Honorable mention to the league’s most fearsome scrummager – ATL’s John-Roy Jenkinson.
4 – Kyle Baillie (Old Glory DC) It’s fair to say that Old Glory would not have made the postseason without the fiery Canadian. Baillie missed the first 8 games but made such an impact upon his arrival we had to include him. An absolute menace at the maul and an indomitable figure in the contact area. By season’s end he was the leading man in the DC pack. ATL’s Johan Momsen was also a standout.
5 – Ben Landry (Seattle Seawolves) Speaking of winning the contact area, Seattle’s vice-captain was a juggernaut on the charge and never went backwards in the tackle. Whenever the Seawolves needed hard yards, the big man was there. Provided ballast on the right side of the scrum and helped carry the pack along with Charles Elton when Riekert Hattingh was out injured. San Diego’s Ben Grant was among the league’s elite lineout jumpers with a high workrate in the loose.
6 – Mitch Jacobson (New England Free Jacks) Things could have gone a bit sideways when Josh Larsen went down injured, but Jacobson stepped into the captaincy and seemed to will his charges to the title. A brutal tackler and always seemed to make the right decision with ball in hand. Next in line were San Diego’s Christian Poidevin and Jeronimo Gómez Vara of Dallas.
7 – Lautaro Bavaro (Old Glory DC) Some players give you more than what is shown on a stats sheet. Bavaro’s presence alone often closed doors for attackers, and when he wasn’t winning turnovers he was slowing down opposition ball. The Argentine’s link play going forward was top drawer, and he had a remarkable number of lineout steals despite his relative lack of height. Others like ATL’s Matt Heaton and Utah’s Lance Williams were in the mix but Bavaro ticked every box for us.
8 – Wian Conradie (New England Free Jacks) There were plenty of standouts but Conradie was a step above the rest this season. The Bus was a constant source of go-forward whether it was off the back of the scrum or rampaging down the sideline. His tackling was top drawer, and good luck moving him off the ball if he’s beaten you to the breakdown. On the shortlist for Player of the Season.
9 – JP Smith (Seattle Seawolves) Among the best since arriving in Seattle ahead of the 2019 campaign, Smith finally gets his due. The two No9s in the final – San Diego’s Richard Judd and New England’s John Poland – were class, but in our view no scrumhalf was as influential as Smith. His kicking game is the best in MLR, he tackles like a flanker, and is always a threat to tear through a half-gap. Eligible for the Eagles in 2024, count on this fella adding test honors to his resume in the not-too-distant future.
10 – Jayson Potroz (New England Free Jacks) Brought in to replace the 2022 MLR Player of the Year Beaudein Waaka, it’s hard to argue that Potroz wasn’t the man in 2023. A superb tactical kicker, surprisingly accurate goal kicker, and always seems to know where the gap is in the line either for himself or a teammate. Never once looked rattled or off his game. Houston’s Davy Coetzer was our second choice.
11 – Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion) A close call with top class finishers Joe Mano of Utah and New England’s Paula Balekana also worthy competitors. The point of difference was Augspurger’s outstanding defense, on top of his exemplary leadership skills. Picked at scrumhalf in our 2019 selection, he now holds the distinction of being the only player named to an ARN Dream Team at two difference positions.
12 – Le Roux Malan (New England Free Jacks) The Free Jacks attack was already looking impressive but when Malan finally returned from a broken thumb he took it up another level. Size, speed, running lines, a strong kicking game, distribution, and vision. This guy is the complete package. Only two-time select Billy Meakes of Chicago was up to Malan’s caliber…
13 – Dan Kriel (Seattle Seawolves) …unless you count this fella. We admit his best position is at inside center, but Kriel spent half the campaign in the outside channel and was also outstanding. An absolute rock in defense, forget trying to get through if he is standing in the way. Kriel’s attacking game stepped up a notch from 2022 and ensured his place in our side. San Diego vice-captain Marcel Brache is unlucky to miss out after a fine season as one of the league’s top playmakers.
14 – Lauina Futi (Seattle Seawolves) There were a handful of competitors here, with New York’s Andrew Coe our second choice. Futi was similar to Mano with his ability to beat players in a phone booth and make something out of nothing. Punches well above his weight both going forward and in defense. Now looks set to join the Eagles on their tour next month.
15 – Mikey Te’o (San Diego Legion) A throwback season after returning to California from Utah. Te’o was absolutely electric with ball in hand, pulling off truly some outrageous counterattacks. Every time he touched the ball it was danger time for the defense. When you consider the quality of names like Makene, Biddle, Wild, and MacDonald, this selection might be even more meaningful than his previous in 2021.
2022 DREAM TEAM
1 Mzamo Majola (Seattle Seawolves), 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg (Rugby ATL), 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss (Houston SaberCats), 4 Josh Larsen (New England Free Jacks), 5 Isaac Ross (Austin Gilgronis), 6 Benjamín Bonasso (Rugby New York), 7 Brendon O’Connor (Rugby New York), 8 Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves), 9 Harrison Goddard (LA Giltinis), 10 Beaudein Waaka (New England Free Jacks), 11 Teofilo Fidow (Rugby New York), 12 Billy Meakes (LA Giltinis), 13 Mark O’Keeffe (Austin Gilgronis), 14 Mitch Wilson (New England Free Jacks), 15 Duncan Matthews (Seattle Seawolves)
2021 DREAM TEAM
1 Chance Wenglewski (Rugby ATL), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York), 3 Dino Waldren (NOLA Gold), 4 Johan Momsen (Rugby ATL), 5 Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York), 6 Angus Cottrell (LA Giltinis), 7 Lucas Rumball (Toronto Arrows), 8 Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold), 9 Harrison Goddard (LA Giltinis), 10 Matt Giteau (LA Giltinis), 11 DTH van der Merwe (LA Giltinis), 12 Billy Meakes (LA Giltinis), 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (LA Giltinis), 14 Mika Kruse (Utah Warriors), 15 Mikey Te’o (Utah Warriors)
2020 DREAM TEAM
1 James Rochford (Rugby United New York), 2 Diego Fortuny (Houston SaberCats), 3 Cole Keith (Toronto Arrows), 4 Johan Momsen (Rugby ATL), 5 Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York), 6 Tomás de la Vega (Toronto Arrows), 7 Mungo Mason (Old Glory DC), 8 Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold), 9 Danny Tusitala (Old Glory DC), 10 Jason Robertson (Old Glory DC), 11 Julián Domínguez (NOLA Gold), 12 Ma’a Nonu (San Diego Legion), 13 Carl Meyer (NOLA Gold), 14 Save Totovosau (San Diego Legion), 15 Sam Malcolm (Toronto Arrows)
2019 DREAM TEAM
1 Rob Brouwer (Toronto Arrows), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York), 3 Paddy Ryan (San Diego Legion), 4 Mike Sheppard (Toronto Arrows), 5 Brad Tucker (Seattle Seawolves), 6 Lance Williams (Utah Warriors), 7 Nakai Penny (Seattle Seawolves), 8 Ross Deacon (Rugby United New York), 9 Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion), 10 Joe Pietersen (San Diego Legion), 11 John Ryberg (Glendale Raptors), 12 JP du Plessis (San Diego Legion), 13 Tristan Blewett (NOLA Gold), 14 Brock Staller (Seattle Seawolves), 15 Mat Turner (Seattle Seawolves)
2018 DREAM TEAM
1 Olive Kilifi (Seattle Seawolves), 2 Zach Fenoglio (Glendale Raptors), 3 Tim Metcher (Seattle Seawolves), 4 Ben Mitchell (Austin Elite), 5 Matt Jensen (Utah Warriors), 6 Hanco Germishuys (Austin Elite), 7 Vili Toluta’u (Seattle Seawolves), 8 Sam Figg (Glendale Raptors), 9 Phil Mack (Seattle Seawolves), 10 Will Magie (Glendale Raptors), 11 Tonata Lauti (Utah Warriors), 12 Paul Lasike (Utah Warriors), 13 William Rasileka (Seattle Seawolves), 14 Harley Davidson (Glendale Raptors), 15 Maximo de Achaval (Glendale Raptors)
