Major League Rugby MLR
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@Stargazer Yes, there has been talk of a Chicago-based team for a few years now. A large part of the US has been ignored so far.
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Its all such a cluster.
I stopped paying too much attention once my local team left 3 or 4 years ago, Colorado Raptors.
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Trying to apply a US sports model to a part time sport is crazy. These are some of the same arguments and hurdles we face in distribution of talent in SR and that is with reasonable contracts and smaller distances.
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A bit weird that the Chicago team has picked the name of a former ice hockey team. There's also a baseball team with that name. Unless they're all part of the same sports organisation?
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There are two Chicago-based rugby clubs called the Lions and Griffins, who play in the Midwest Rugby Premiership. I would assume the Hounds are totally independent of them.
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@Stargazer My post wasn't a direct reply to your question. I honestly don't know. It would have been good to choose a name that continues the theme of the existing clubs in the city.
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@Stargazer said in Major League Rugby MLR:
A bit weird that the Chicago team has picked the name of a former ice hockey team.
Nah, not weird at all. Names get reused all the time, there are plenty of overlaps. Cardinals, Giants, Rangers etc. And they're current AND in the majors.
You're talking about a former minor league hockey team that hasn't existed for 15 years. Minor league. And was only in operation for two seasons. I don't think there's going to be any confusion.
Lots of bad name possibilities. Gilgronis, Giltinis anyone? Hounds is absolutely one of the better names they could have come up with.
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@Stargazer said in Major League Rugby MLR:
Caleb Makene
In a not stupid world Makene would be with the Highlanders instead of them bringing over a foreigner.
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@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Stargazer said in Major League Rugby MLR:
Caleb Makene
In a not stupid world Makene would be with the Highlanders instead of them bringing over a foreigner.
Nah, bring the foreigner over, just ditch the other Hawkes journeyman.
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@Bones said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Stargazer said in Major League Rugby MLR:
Caleb Makene
In a not stupid world Makene would be with the Highlanders instead of them bringing over a foreigner.
Nah, bring the foreigner over, just ditch the other Hawkes journeyman.
MMT?
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@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Bones said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Stargazer said in Major League Rugby MLR:
Caleb Makene
In a not stupid world Makene would be with the Highlanders instead of them bringing over a foreigner.
Nah, bring the foreigner over, just ditch the other Hawkes journeyman.
MMT?
yeah
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@Bones said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Bones said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Stargazer said in Major League Rugby MLR:
Caleb Makene
In a not stupid world Makene would be with the Highlanders instead of them bringing over a foreigner.
Nah, bring the foreigner over, just ditch the other Hawkes journeyman.
MMT?
yeah
Send him to the Chiefs along with Fakatava, since you appear to have so little faith is us.
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@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Bones said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Bones said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Nepia said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Stargazer said in Major League Rugby MLR:
Caleb Makene
In a not stupid world Makene would be with the Highlanders instead of them bringing over a foreigner.
Nah, bring the foreigner over, just ditch the other Hawkes journeyman.
MMT?
yeah
Send him to the Chiefs along with Fakatava, since you appear to have so little faith is us.
I'd prefer they went to the crusaders academy so they could be options for the All Blacks.
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Over 80 kiwis involved this year now?
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@ARHS given most are on a min of $20k USD for what 3 months of rugby, seems an easy decision to make for them to earn that instead of maybe a side of beef and some petrol money for thier club...
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Old Glory DC have announced their squad for the 2023 season:
Kiwis:
Kyle Stewart
Nic Souchon
Danny Tusitala
Kurt Baker
Peni Lasaqa
Junior Sa'uFijian Apisai Naikatini has played for Wellington and Waikato.
Samoan William Talataina-Mu has played a few games for Southland and Auckland.Coaches: Josh Syms, Callum Gibbins
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@Stargazer Naikatini must be pushing 40 by now. He is sort of an uncle to the Fijian contingent of my whangai grandkids!
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@mikedogz Miami! Didn't expect that to be the next addition!
It will be interesting to see with at how many teams the MLR will settle, eventually. I can see LA come back with a team and, possibly a team from Hawaii. Boston also seems a spot where you'd expect a team, and maybe another Canadian team? The USA are so big, it makes you wonder whether they'll ultimately end up with, say, four conferences instead of two.
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@Stargazer The NE Free Jacks are essentially a Boston team.
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Rugby New York has announced it's squad for the 2023 season:
Kiwis:
Tevita Langi
Sam Davies
Hamish Dalzell
Brad Tucker
Brendon O'Connor
Kara Pryor
Jack Heighton
Jason Emery
Faʻasui Fuatai
Teihorangi WaldenCoaches:
James Semple
Ben Afeaki
Andy EllisAlso:
Ed Fidow plays for Manawatū.
Canadian Quinn Ngawati played for Mid Canterbury in 2022. -
@Stargazer said in Major League Rugby MLR:
Rugby New York has announced it's squad for the 2023 season:
Also:
Ed Fidow plays for Manawatū.
Canadian Quinn Ngawati played for Mid Canterbury in 2022.With a name like that you would expect to see him competing at the Taumaranui A&P Shearing Champs or the Open Final of the Golden Shears
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@Stargazer Ishmail Shabazz...not a Kiwi but spent tie playing for Te Awamutu Sports in the Waikato
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Strangely enough, not all MLR teams have announced their teams for the 2023 season, which starts this weekend.
So I've looked several other websites to find the squads.Dallas Jackals
Kiwis: noneFijian Maikeli Naromaitoga has apparently played for Mid-Canterbury.
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Chicago Hounds
One Kiwi:
- Prop Mika Felix - NZ born and raised, has played for Sydenham, but qualifies for the USA through his American father and has played for USA U20s and USA Falcons
Aussie Hugh Roach has played for Ta$man (2019), and one game for the Crusaders (2020) in which his most notable moment was getting red-carded.
Charlie Abel has played two games for Auckland, this year. -
New England Free Jacks
Kiwis:
Kianu Kereru-Symes
Mills Sanerivi
Joel Hintz
Sam Fischli
Mitch Jacobson
Joe Johnston
Kieran McClea
Reece MacDonald
Jayson PotrozSemisi Paea played for Bay of Plenty in 2021.
Taniela Filimone attended Rotorua BHS and has played for Manawatū (2021-2022). He also played for Bay of Plenty Development team, Chiefs Under 20s, Tonga Under 20s and Chiefs Development XV. -
San Diego
Kiwis:
Shilo Klein (born in USA, so eligible for that country, too)
Tom Franklin
Isaac Ross
Dan Pryor
Richard Judd
Ma'a Nonu
Tomas AoakeBlair Cowan was born in NZ (cousing of Pek Cowan), but hasn't played in NZ as far as I know.
Tupou Ma'afu Afungia plays for Hawke's Bay. He represented Tonga at an U16s level and 2 years at U20s level.
Sama Malolo was born in NZ, but grew up in Australia. He has never played in NZ.
American Chris Bauman has played for Wellington.
Fijian Filimone Waqainabete has played for Canterbury. -
Seattle Seawolves
Kiwis:
Sam Matenga
Charles EltonAJ Alatimu (Samoa) played for Counties Manukau, this year.