Honestly, the theme of this week
should be if your team can handle the weather given the differing conditions we
had this week. All jokes aside, it seems we are starting developing some trends in this season. Chicago looks unstoppable as usual, the Legion has the most obvious
kryptonite I have ever seen a team have, the Seawolves resemble Rocky after
every final fight, Anthem cannot seem to catch a break, Old Glory seemed to
have stalled, and the Free Jacks seem to be hitting their groove somewhat. What
a wacky and wild week of Major League Rugby!
The theme of this week is former
players. Injuries, suspensions and overall weaknesses have shown themselves as
the season progressed and teams desperately need reinforcements. Inspired by
the Free Jacks signing back both former players in Andrew Quattrin and Paula
Balekana, every team now has the luxury of bringing back one player to sure up
their chances of making a push for the shield. I tried to stay away from retired players for obvious reason, however I did make one exception which I think people will understand.
#1 Chicago Hounds – Dylan Fawsitt/Hooker/Retired
I think
Ben Holden would question my choices here because how can you improve on the
perfect rugby team. Ok now that I got that cheeky jab out of the way back to
business. After the Hounds demolishing of Anthem in a 61-36 thumping of Anthem
Rugby Carolina, you could be forgiven for wondering what more could the Hounds
want from their team? Their depth is excellent and their stars seem to be cruising
along fine. One of those stars is hooker Deon Fourie. Questions about whether
he could fill the void of the Butcher known as Dylan Fawsitt and well, he has
certainly done that. So why am I advocating for Dylan to return to this squad? Well,
why have one excellent hooker when you can have two? While Beckerman and Zabierek
are decent in their own right, the quality of the lineouts certainly dips when
Fourie leaves the pitch. He is also one of the few players to play in every
single game for the Hounds, that’s a lot of wear and tear. Fawsitt would
provide ample cover for the Hounds while maintaining a similar quality to that
of Fourie. Plus, given how they are likely to win the league, why not add
another shield to his trophy case? Do it Hounds, bring back the Butcher for one
last dance…I feel I’ve heard that phrase before…
With
the Hounds traveling to the Bay area and playing at Saint Mary’s, they might
rotate the squad even more. Perhaps give Baska another go at scrumhalf, maybe
rest Fourie, Loots might play against his old squad and maybe have Videla play fullback
to give MVP candidate Brock Webster a rest? Or perhaps they want to prove
weather wasn’t a factor in their first win over the Legion and bring their
strongest side? It will be interesting to see.
#2 California Legion – Ma’a Nonu/Center/Toulon
You have no idea how badly I wanted to drop the Legion down
a peg and laugh at them. All of the California teams losses have been humorous
in some way. They were ill-prepared against what now looks like a playoff
missing Anthem, Chicago kicked the crap out of them in the rain, and then they
lost to the Free Jacks in the rain again. I have said it before and I said it
again, this team has the most obvious Achilles heel, which is when they can’t
play the way they want, they fold. The loss to the Free Jacks in particular is embarrassing
as they blew out them in Week #2. The 26-21 loss shows that the Legion have
some concerns regarding adjustments on the field and adapting when the pressure
is truly on. This is why they need the ageless wonder that is Ma’a Nonu back in
the squad. The All-Back Center now playing for Toulon brings experience and
some needed physicality to the Legion backs. Nonu paired with Billy Meakes
would be a devastating combo that could even give Chicago a scare.
However,
the Legion needs to pray for the driest California day possible as they face
the Hounds at Saint Mary’s. Everyone is saying this offense when the conditions
are right can challenge the unbeaten Chicago side. Well next week we are going
to find out, possibly. I will say if it’s a sunny day and the Hounds blow out
the Legion again; they are going to the bottom of the Power Rankings for the frauds
that they would be. Seriously, how hard is it to adjust a game plan for weather
guys?
#3 Seattle Seawolves – Sam Matenga/Tighthead Prop/ Blues
Geez,
this team does not know how to win a boring game, do they? To be frank, I
thought Old Glory had the Seawolves number going into the second half, but
Clarke got the boys to rally. While DC’s discipline shifted the game, the
Seawolves nearly choked away a 30-25 win over in the nations capital. The
return of Ina Futi was vital and Dan Kriel’s return to form have been godsends
to the team. With Davy Coetzer’s return next week (hopefully) and Rufus McLean
returning to practice, Seattle’s injury report seems to finally be shrinking
(knock on wood). There are a lot of guys who would be huge returns for the
Seawolves. Cameron Orr’s steady presence is missed greatly, Malembe Mpofu at
lock would be huge, Charles Elton would be a massive addition, and AJ Alatimu
would be welcome reinforcement at the flyhalf position. However, I am going
with the Kiwi Sam Matenga as my player to return. Matenga’s time with the
Seawolves ended in 2024 and since then Clarke has yet to find a long-term
replacement. Peculo was playing admirably until he got injured against the Free
Jacks and Mason Pederson is well Mason Pederson. Having a prop who has been a
consistent squad member of a Super Rugby side would be a massive upgrade at the
position and strengthen a beat up front row for the Seawolves.
Seattle
returns home after a two week away game schedule to face Anthem. I know a lot
of Seawolves fans were fuming at the loss from Week #2 due to a controversial
call which shifted momentum. The Seattle faithful are out for blood and revenge
against a team in poor form, Anthem. Is this…hope I feel...No I cannot afford
to yet.
#4 New England Free Jacks – Reece McDonald/Flyhalf and
Fullback/ NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu
Who
took the foot off this teams throat? Do you realize what you have done? The three-time
champions have momentum and reinforcements coming in fast! With another win
against Legion bringing them closer to the playoff hunt, are the Free Jacks
back? What will help their case is their signings of Andrew Quattrin and Paula
Balekana, two huge additions to a squad in decent form. While the weather
played a factor in their 26-21 win over the California Legion, their discipline
was much improved from their Week #2 showing. So why not bring back another
future Free Jacks wall of honor member in Reece McDonald. Yes, yes I could have
brough back Jason Potroz but honestly Joel Hodgson is a younger better version
of what you’d get in the Kiwi. McDonald on the other hand can fill in at the
Free Jacks most glaring position #15. Mitch Wilson is not a fullback and while
Harrison Boyle had does admirable in the role, McDonald could open up the offense
greatly. So Free Jacks, why not give him a call, you know you want to.
The Free
Jacks are probably thinking about their matchup against Old Glory and wonder, what
if? If they had just held on against DC at home in Week #3, they would be in
the playoffs at the moment. Now going to Old Glory’s home, the Free Jacks hope
to take their revenge and cement their return to post season contention.
#5 Old Glory DC – Axel Müller/ Wing/RC Narbonne
I think
its time to start talking about DC. I know everyone was harping on Seattle’s decision
to go to Cape Town for a long preseason and how they got beat up as a result.
Meanwhile DC was praised for its lack of one and how healthy they are. Well now
they have a 2-4 record and are risking missing the playoffs. As bad as Seattle
got, the one thing I never completely doubted was their chemistry. Regardless
of the combinations, new additions, players out of position and the challenge
in front of them, it felt like the team was following a game plan. This Old
Glory side, while extremely talented, feels like they are missing something. Now
granted the loss to the Hounds had the controversial card which swung momentum,
but every other loss DC could not seem to finish their opponents off. Legion crushed them in the final 15, and
Seattle both times used the second half to pull away to a comfortable margin. While
their defense is excellent still, their offense has not been able to capitalize
when it has come down to the wire. Hence why I am begging Axel Müller to return
to this side. Müller might not be the most talented player I could sign, but he
had a knack of making something out of nothing. That try against the Miami
Sharks last year is proof of that. That kind of explosiveness and to be frank,
luck is what DC desperately needs.
Once
again DC faces New England after losing to a Seattle side that they probably should
have beaten. However, this Free Jacks side is confident and stronger than
before. Likely without Captain Rob Harley and Tevite Naquali out, Rick Rose and
Billy Whiteside are going to need to hold down the fort in the second row for a
bit. DC cannot afford to continue to spiral, a must win game for them.
#6 Anthem Rugby Carolina- Toby Fricker/Winger and Fullback/
Bristol Bears
I really did not want to put Anthem bottom of my rankings, I
thought they were done with this for a while. However, this Anthem side cannot
seem to buy a win to save their lives. As mentioned by many, a club high of 36
points was not enough to conquer Chicago.
Anthem has not won a game since Week #3 against the Seawolves, a three-game
losing streak. They’ve lost to Chicago twice, DC and New England and recent
form suggest they are not going to defeat Legion or Seattle at this rate. While
Anthem’s offense is high-powered, giving up 61 points is frankly dreadful. Particularly,
they were beaten in the backs with Esdale, Storti and Roberts targeted. They need
some defensive help and some 15s experience. I cannot believe I am saying this
given how critical I was of his time at Anthem, but Toby Fricker might be worth
a call. What makes Fricker a potential upgrade is he can cover both 15 and
winger. That would allow Roberts to shift back to winger where he played arguably
his best game against the Legion. It’s not a perfect upgrade but it might be
what the Anthem needs.
Anthem are in must win territory when they travel to Starfire. While Jordon Trainor returning is a huge boost, Cuca is going to have to try something drastically different from previous weeks. The injury to Gurovich does not help matters as he was Anthem’s best lineout thrower so far. Perhaps the return of Seth Smith is all Anthem needs to find the early success they had this season.