I am back! We now have Week #5 in the books. For the first time since the 2023 season there will not be a winless team in Major League Rugby. Once again while certainly there is parity (unless you are Chicago) we have not been blessed with any nail biting finishes this week. There was potential for that with Sunday Night Rugby but then the California Legion decided to go for the kill. There were more technical difficulties but honestly at this point I feel like I am beating a dead horse bringing it up again.
Now for the theme of the week which I think is my favorite so far. The International Window is coming up fast and furious, and the Eagles have three home games to look forward to! Portugal, Zimbabwe and Spain will be great tests to see if Scott Lawerence is making progress towards a respectable 2027 World Cup campaign. So, if that tournament were to start today, and was limited to only MLR players who would make the team? I am not counting guys who are currently injured or who have *domestic* status for the MLR but not for World Rugby. I will make those distinctions known for each team. As this is also my selection process, I cannot promise it would be “the most realistic” but again this is a made-up scenario. Again, this is only for MLR players ONLY so I do not want to see any “where is AJ” or “where is Iscaro” in the comments. You can make fun of me for leaving only MLR guys, ok? Without further ado, here is my 33-man all-MLR Eagles squad.
#1 Chicago Hounds
Tavite Lopeti (Center), Mark O’Keefe (Winger), Rueben De
Haas (Scrumhalf), Chris Hilsenbeck (Flyhalf), Tomas Casares (Lock), Fakaʻosi Pifeleti (Prop)
Well…even with a heavily rotated squad Chicago still looks
unstoppable. The all-Canadian back row of Flesch, Rumbell and Oworu was a sight
to behold in a 59-22 thumping of the Seawolves at Starfire. Also, fingers
crossed that Brock Webster is ok because he had one heck of a game leading the
Hounds to their first ever victory against the former two-time champs. Regarding U.S Eagles, the Hounds can brag to
have a player at every row. Rueben De Haas is my first name on the teamsheet
along with Lopeti, O’Keefe, and Casares being mainstays the past year. Hilsenbeck
benefits from the fact a certain player is currently ineligible otherwise he
may have missed selection. Fakaʻosi
Pifeleti makes a return to the Eagles after a debut appearance against New
Zealand in 2021. Notable omissions include Brandon Harvey, Peyton Wall, Nathan
Den Hoedt and Noah Brown. The locks miss out due to a crowded room, and the
wingers miss out due to lack of game time, but Wall is on the shortlist behind
a notable winger if there is an opening.
Chicago returns home after a two-week trip to Nashville and
Seattle to face a recently humbled Old Glory side. The Hounds have a chance to
extend their lead at the top and will look to they will continue their dominance.
#2 California Legion
Joe Taufete’e (Hooker), Jason Damm (Lock), Ryan James (Winger),
Cassh Maluia (Center), Tonga Kofe (Prop), Lance Williams (Flanker), Fred Apulu
(Prop), Joe Mano (Winger)
I think its time I eat my crow and say begrudgingly that the
California Legion are legit contenders for the Shield this year. San Diego
better get the home playoff game if the Legion clinches it. The Legion proved
me wrong in that they played a full defensive game against Old Glory and did
not control possession for most of the game. With their 36-23 win over DC, I am
ready to admit I was wrong. Regarding guys representing the Eagles, Captain
Jason Damm has to be on the list. In addition, I am bringing back the legend Joe
Taufete’e into the fold. Ryan James returns to the Eagles squad and Lance
Williams are another fine addition to the back row. Center Cassh Maluia gets a
debut call up along with front row teammate Fred Apulu. Tonga Kofe I was reluctant
to bring in as his fitness and discipline have been questionable, but I cannot
ignore his size. Joe was the last guy I added to this team as I realized I
could use another player as a potential center cover. Ma'ake Muti would’ve
gotten Apulu’s spot but given his injury in the last game unfortunately he
misses out.
The Legion gets a well-earned bye week and are pretty settled
at second on the log. The red card by Billy Meakes will hurt but the Legion can
relax and recuperate after a successful start to the season.
#3 Old Glory DC
Rick Rose (Lock), Cory Daniel (Flanker), Ben Bonasso (Flanker),
Aiden King (Flanker), Max Schumacher (Flyhalf/Fullback), Paul Mullen (Prop)
I admit I was much more excited for this team before the
Legion match. Just when I thought they had figured out their offense, it
stagnated again. Some crucial decisions to kick for points rather than go for
the corner might have been the difference between a win and a loss. However,
the future of the U.S Eagles back row is in the nations capital. The combination
of Daniel, King and Bonasso have convinced me that Lawerence needs to start
this trio for these upcoming test matches. Their defense, chemistry and occasional
offensive explosiveness is so fun to watch. Rick Rose gets his call up along
with Max Schumacher. I have also somehow managed to persuade Paul Mullen out of
international retirement for one last hurrah. Tevita Naqali is very unfortunate
to miss out, but again this lock class is extremely competitive.
Old Glory will need to shake off that unfortunate home debut
and head to face Chicago at SeatGeek. Simon Cross’ men need to figure out how
to be far more clinical when they are on the offense, otherwise they will just
be another victim of the league leaders.
#4 Anthem Rugby Carolina
Payton Telea-Ilalio (Prop), Alex Maughn (Prop), Cambell
Robb (Hooker), Sam Golla (Lock/Flanker), Moni Tongaʻuiha (Flanker), Zion Going
(Scrumhalf), Luke Carty (Flyhalf), Tom Pittman (Center), Connor Mooneyham (Winger),
Julian Roberts (Winger/Back 3)
I will say the bye week for Anthem could not be coming at a
better time for them. After starting the season, a respectable 2-1 they have
now lost two straight games. A 38-26 loss to a formerly winless Free Jacks side
now risks Anthem being on the cutline of the playoffs. However, what cannot be
disputed is the core of U.S Eagles within this Carolina team. Payten Telea-Ilalio
and Alex Maughn in my opinion are having the best season for any prop pairing
in the league at the moment. Luke Carty still hasn’t quite beat out Hilsenbeck for
that number 10 jersey, but he is certainly making a run. Zion Going has been
instrumental in Anthem’s resurgence, so he gets a call up. Flankers Sam Golla and
Moni Tonga’uiha get their call ups as well. Tom Pittman has been a silent force in the
midfield. However, the stars of the selection here are the winger (kind of) duo
of Julian Roberts and Connor Mooneyham. These two probably need to get back to
their connection in order to get Anthem back on track. Possibly my second most controversial
selection is the inclusion of Campbell Robb. While certainly his lineouts need
work, what cannot be disputed is Robb’s effectiveness in the scrum. This spot
was tailor made for Seth Smith, but he just hasn’t played enough. I really
tried to include Will Sherman as well but again, the traffic jam at lock is
great. Eric Storti is also unlucky but frankly I just do not know where to put
him, and I refuse to play him at fullback.
The Anthem will hope this bye will allow them to reset, get
healthy and continue their push for their first ever playoff appearance.
#5 New England Free Jacks
Kaleb Geiger (Hooker)
Well, well well ...look who finally decided to show up for
the season. I kid, but this game against Anthem felt more like vintage Free
Jacks ball. I was never truly off the Ryan Martin hype train but there were
certainly doubts starting to set in. However, despite how well New England
played this week, there are not many “ready now” Eagles in play. Joel Hodgson
and Wayne Van Der Bank would certainly get into this squad, but they are only
domestic eligible in the MLR at the moment. A certain player in France is also
a fair shout, but flanker is already super crowded, and he has also still recovering
from an injury sustained earlier in the season. Hence, the only selection the
Free Jacks get is Kaleb Geiger. I’ll admit I did not believe in the prop/hooker
hybrid when he first started out, but he has shown out in an Eagles and Free
Jacks jersey. Also, if you need proof this is not Scott Lawerence’s troll account,
the fact that Mitch Wilson is no where near this team should tell you all you
need.
New England gets the benefit of hosting a battered, humiliated
and out of form Seawolves side at home. This part of the schedule could take
the defending champs from pretender to contender really quickly.
#6 Seattle Seawolves
Nick Boyer (Scrumhalf), Paddy Ryan (Flanker)
That might have been the worst game I have ever watched as a
Seawolves fan. I do not want to overreach here, but we genuinely might be the
worst team in the league. The defense was pathetic, and we were overmatched
even before the red card. When I do get to most disappointing players…Eziekiel
Lindenmuth will represent Seattle because that man has either gotten or
deserved a card every single game this season. Clarke better put the fear of
god of him next time he suits up because if he keeps pulling crap like this
then he should be benched. Also, the Drake Davis signing does not make sense to
me whatsoever scheme wise. Starfire is too narrow to take advantage of Davis’
best traits; there is a reason Houston never played the guy when they traveled
to Seattle. He may prove me wrong, but I just do not think this is a good
signing for a variety of reasons. That was a very rough game to watch, and I
hope Seattle can make some changes because at this rate we are tanking for Dom
Besag.
Now before I get into my controversial selection, the
obvious one first. Paddy Ryan deserves so much better than this team’s record.
The man is an explosive cannon and if DC didn’t have their trio, he’d be
starting for the Eagles. Now…the fun part…. why the hell did I pick Nick Boyer?
A guy who has not been capped by the Eagles since 2018? Well given how bad my
team is, you tend to look for the positives. Genuinely, Nick Boyer is playing
out of his mind and in a different role every week. I call him the “Swiss Army
Knife” because I’ve seen him fill in at flanker, scrumhalf, flyhalf, center,
winger and briefly fullback in just this season. Having an experienced guy who
can fill in essentially anywhere in the backs and has the size to put in the
scrum is a huge plus. I know this is not likely but besides Ryan and Rossouw,
Boyer might be Seattle’s MVP this season. Guys like Rufus McLean, Ina Futi and Sean
McNulty would be fair shouts if they were healthy. Rhyno Herbst, Ezikiel
Lindemuth and Marno Redelinghuys do not get in due to form. JP Smith also is
not selected due to his current sabbatical from playing scrumhalf. Davy Coetzer
is ineligible otherwise he would be the starting flyhalf for this team. Also Dan
Kriel is ineligible but too small a sample size this season to make the team.
Seattle travels to the New England Free Jacks in the first
matchup of the “much anticipated” Coffee Cup. Now at the bottom of the league is
reminiscent of the shorted 2020 season and parts of the 2021 season. If the
Seawolves want a shot at a third shield they are going to need their current
squad to step up and hold the line until reinforcements arrive.
Match Day #23 and Concluding Thoughts
A potential Matchday 23 for their first friendly against Portugal,
I would pick the team like this.
Starting 23 against Portugal
- Payten Telea-Ilalio
- Joe Taufete’e
- Alex Maughn
- Tomas Casares
- Jason Damm (C)
- Cory Daniel
- Aiden King
- Ben Bonasso (VC)
- Ruben De Haas
- Chris Hilsenbeck
- Ryan James
- Tom Pittman
- Tavite Lopeti
- Connor Mooneyham
- Julian Roberts
- Kaleb Geiger
- Fakaʻosi Pifeleti
- Tonga Kofe
- Rick Rose
- Sam Golla
- Paddy Ryan
- Zion Going
- Joe Mano
Well, thoughts? I have made some controversial but also expected
selections, I am sure. Is there anyone obvious I missed? The Blog site is
taking a bit longer than I expected due to other commitments, so I apologize
for that. I hope you all are still enjoying these power rankings, and I look forward
to another week of MLR rugby.