Major League Rugby players have some serious skill.
Major League Rugby is North America’s newest professional rugby league. The league is in it’s fifth season having started back in 2018. It came as a successor to a previous attempt to establish professional rugby in North America, Professional Rugby Organization (PRO Rugby). PRO Rugby ran for one season in 2016 and closed for good in early 2017. Many of the teams in PRO rugby were based on the West Coast of the USA, with little representation on the East. It heavily featured American born players in its inaugural and only season of play however, some big names such as Mils Muliana were signed to the league, Muliana signed to San Francisco.
Major League Rugby’s 2022 campaign is in full flow with week 12 coming up this weekend, and the league has some big names of it’s own. The LA Giltinis have the likes of Matt Giteau, DTH van der Merwe, Billy Meakes and had Adam Ashley Cooper as a player last season, now part of the coaching set up. San Diego Legion is also where former England captain Chris Robshaw and Ma’a Nonu plays. In past seasons players such as Mathieu Basteraud and Ben Foden played in the league.
Rugby New York last week also announced the signing of 27 cap All Black Waisake Naholo to bolster their squad as they near the playoffs. Although the big names bring eyeballs to the league, their are many USA and Canadian internationals in the league. USA with the likes of Dylan Fawcitt, Luke Carty, Ryan James, Nate Brakely, Tavite Lopeti, Paul Mullen and Joe Taufete’e just to name a few.
From the Giltinis clash with the Houston Sabercatsyesterday, came a clip of sublime skill, keeping the ball in play. Firstly for the Giltinis, outhalf Orene Ai’i, who is 42 years of age and an assistant coach, danced along the touchline keeping the ball in play by throwing it to himself. Then not long afterward, Sabercats outhalf Davey Coetzeer diving over the line, also keeping the ball in play. Superb skill from both of them.
The Giltinis held on secure a home win 17-12 to keep them in a good position for the playoffs.
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