Hey All! I have been conducting a weekly MLR Power Rankings on Reddit for the past couple weeks. After some encouragement from a couple of users, I have decided to start posting here on the Fantasy Ruckers site too. These Power Rankings are my own opinions on teams, so if you think they are wrong they are my opinions exclusively. 

Well, Week #4 is done and dusted. We had such promise with the Anthem vs Old Glory game going on without any technical difficulties only for them to rear their ugly face again in the next two matches. It’s really too bad, especially with the Nashville showcase being partially undermined by them. While last year was the year of close games, this year we have rarely seen any losing bonus point games. Not to say the rugby product has not been entertaining but this year definitely feels like momentum is far more crucial than years past.

For this week’s “theme” I think its early enough to start talking about guys who are having “breakout” seasons. Players who have been around for the league for a bit, but are grabbing the attention of teams, media, and fans this season.

#1 Chicago Hounds – Breakout Player: Brandon Harvey.

I am not going to lie this was by far the hardest one to name. The Chicago Hounds team sheet is filled with guys who have made a name for themselves in the MLR or abroad. A case could be made for Charlie Abel becoming more of a recognizable player but hey its not often we get to talk about a bench lock. The former student at Cardiff University has quietly had a fairly good season backing up veterans Tomas Casares and Nathan De Hoedt. He scored his first ever try against his “former club” against the California Legion the previous week. Harvey managed to gain 32 meters and make four tackles off the bench in a convincing 50-26 win in Nashville over the Free Jacks. It would not surprise me if Brandon Harvey made his first start of the season against a battered and humbled Seawolves side. However, Coach Latham may not want to fix what is not broken at keep Harvey in his role as an effective substitute.

#2 Old Glory DC – Breakout Player – John LeFerve

Yes, they jumped from fifth to second on my list, sue me! This is partially also to make amends for talking down their breakout player of the season so far John LeFerve. It is difficult to come into a game as a substitute scrumhalf and change the momentum of the game. It can happen, its just difficult. I however, underestimated the age-old cliché of a guy just waiting for his shot to prove himself. So, I apologize to John LeFerve, I did not know you game. In fairness, the former third choice scrumhalf has helped lead a defensive juggernaut in DC truly living up to the name of breakout player. While not getting on the try sheet this week, LeFerve helped 4 different backs score in a convincing 31-14 win over an inconsistent Anthem side. Now for the first time this season, DC fans will be able to watch their breakout star in person against another inconsistent side in California Legion.

#3 Anthem – Breakout Player – Julian Roberts (Center)

Ok I lied this was the most difficult one to pick. Anthem has a lot of established guys who either are really good, guys who have revitalized their careers (Mooneyham) or are too new to qualify for this title. Yes, Julian Roberts was an incredibly talented and well-known player when he was with the Gold. However, in this Anthem side it feels like he has been unleashed. His debut for the Anthem opposite Connor Mooneyham was electric, yet what makes him count on this list for me is his switch to Center. He almost seems to have taken inspiration from Divian Rossouw in becoming a utility guy, with Roberts returning to his original position which he played in college. Roberts got one try assist and was a bright spot in a disappointing loss for the Rising Stars. It will be interesting to see where he plays when the squad travels to Quincy to face the winless Free Jacks

#4 California Legion – Breakout Player – Corbin Smith

I know it was technically just one game, but Corbin Smith looked really good on Sunday. The former Anthem and English University player was a real difference maker in their game against Seattle. Filling in last minute for Steffan Crimp, Smith managed to not only score a try but, gain 128 meters in his debut for the Legion. The team from California might want to consider giving him a couple more go starts at 15 instead of Van Vugt or Crimp to see what they got. California Legion is in a weird spot as they go second in the log with a 38-29 win over the Seattle Seawolves. While they have won two games, they are against the bottom two teams currently on form. In addition, their losses have been cases where they’ve been blown out. If the Legion wants to prove that they are true contenders, they will need to show up against the best defense in Major League Rugby in DC.

#5 Seattle Seawolves – Breakout Player – Calvin Liulamaga

Before I get into my rant, I have to praise a guy I have been clamoring to play with for over a year. Drafted in from Central Washington to replace Tavite Lopeti, Liulamaga spent the entire 2025 season in the reserves. I do not know if he would have gotten this amount of gametime either if not for the injury crisis, but again you take the opportunities when they come. With a try assist off the bench and then this week with his first ever score in his starting debut, Calvin Liulamaga deserves to be a part of the conversation in breakout players this season. The Seawolves once again started on the back foot due to injuries and poor game management. They could be on par with the Hounds in terms of record if they finished their games against the Anthem and Legion. Now they are essentially in a must-win game at Starfire against the best team in the league. So much for preseason favorites so far.

#6 New England Free Jacks – Breakout Player – Oscar Lennon

 Ok maybe this is just me being ill informed on the scrumhalf hierarchy in New England, but I thought this was Ethan McVeigh’s job to lose. The whole point I figured for the move was to get out of Connor Buckley’s shadow and get back into the Eagles squad. Well, I should have known better because Oscar Lennon is having a decent individual season in Quincy. Now with the starting job and keys to the offense we are seeing what Lennon can do. He has already surpassed his rookie year numbers and with Joel Hodgson behind him, might see some more explosive plays. The Free Jacks need something to go their way before getting left in the dust. Their opponents in Anthem have been inconsistent and sloppy at certain points. Besides maybe their Coffee Cup rivals in Seattle, Anthem might be the team the Free Jacks want to play the most right now.

Alas this is the end of Week 4 of the MLR season, it is going by so quickly. Let me know your thoughts on my choices for breakout players so far this season. Were there any obvious ones I missed? As a reminder, I am not counting “new guys” in the league. For next week’s rankings I am debating between talking about most underwhelming/disappointing player or making a USA Eagles 32-man squad from only MLR players for my theme. Feel free to cast your opinion in the comments.