Bryan Ray

CO-FOUNDER / EDITOR / NORTH AMERICA ... has been writing about Canadian rugby since 1998 for various publications. Also talks sports (and sometimes other things) on CBC Radio. Former player of 20+ years, coach, and senior referee.

Arrows reflect on challenging First Half of Season

The Toronto Arrows have now completed their first half of the season, one of two teams in Major League Rugby to reach eight games played in the first eight weeks of the schedule. A last-minute loss to Rugby ATL leaves them with a 3-5 record. Head coach Chris Silverthorn and …

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Dallas Departures – A Mock Dispersal Draft

The new that the Dallas Jackals have pulled out of the 2021 Major League Rugby season just two months ahead of its intended kickoff came without warning. Little explanation has been offered. While there is room to speculate on reasons beyond simply the pandemic, the most pressing issue at the …

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Kanaloa Hawai’i falls short in MLR bid

Kanaloa Rugby will not be bringing Major League Rugby to Hawai’i in 2021. The league issued a formal statement on Friday afternoon confirming that the three-month negotiating period had expired without an agreement. MLR will proceed with 13 teams next season. While the league did not specify why no agreement …

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Eagles could benefit from Eligibility Extension

A recent decision from the World Rugby Executive Committee to extend the Regulation 8 amendment regarding residency qualification by one year has not come without criticism. The new five-year requirement was to come into effect on January 1, 2021, but has now been pushed to 2022. That it was made …

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MLR opens door for Hawaiian team in 2021

Major League Rugby has confirmed that a team from Hawai’i is being considered as a potential 14th team for the 2021 season. Kanaloa Hawai’i has reached the first stage of admission to full membership, and has now been granted a 90-day negotiating period to reach expansion targets and secure board …

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MLR LA – From Coast to Giltini

One of the world’s iconic sporting markets will finally have a professional rugby team next season. It’s been some time coming, and it’s fair to say the unveiling of the Major League Rugby expansion side’s brand has created quite a stir. Reactions to the LA Giltinis name and logo have been …

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Beaumont vs Pichot – The Fight for Rugby’s Future

On Sunday the electronic ballots will open with 51 votes to be cast by World Rugby Council members to decide on the position of Chairman. The incumbent is Bill Beaumont, his challenger current Vice-Chair Agustín Pichot. Representatives have until Thursday to make their decision. On May 12 one of them …

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Colorado Raptors withdraw from Major League Rugby

The Colorado Raptors are dropping out of Major League Rugby. Multiple sources confirmed the news earlier this week and on Wednesday a brief letter – attached below – was circulated by co-owner and Mayor of Glendale Mike Dunafon stating that the team will be officially departing the league effective May …

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