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Crafting power rankings before the season starts is a tough assignment. Arguably, doing it after one round of work is even worse. We'll try to avoid overreacting to eighty minutes of rugby (or less) per team when there's still so much to play. 1. Austin Gilgronis (Last Week: 3) Remember when they were called the … Continue reading Power Rankings: MLR Round 1
One week in, and we're already looking forward to the playoff race. After this weekend's action, here's our first evolution of what's sure to be a long race. https://twitter.com/usmlr/status/1490741228714946561 In Control 1. Rugby New York Next Four: @HOU, @ATL, @DAL, vNE 2. Rugby ATL Next Four: @NOLA, vRNY, BYE, vHOU 3. New England Free Jacks … Continue reading State of the Race: MLR Eastern Conference – Round 1
Bye: Rugby New York Rugby ATL v Old Glory DC Eastern Conference champions versus the bottom of the conference, yet the gap isn't as wide as it appears. I don't know where ATL's floor is under new leadership, but I know DC's ceiling. Winner: Rugby ATL Austin Gilgronis v Dallas Jackals Austin is in the … Continue reading Spoiler Alert: MLR Round 1
If the last couple of years has taught us anything, its that trying to predict where the world will be in five months is a crap shot. Well, he's some certified crap. For some reason, I continue to torture myself with this annual exercise despite the unknowns. For example, I went into this exercise unaware … Continue reading RFT’s MLR 2022 Predictions
With the Major League Rugby season just days away, its time to unveil our initial MLR Power Rankings. Rankings are largely based on how we think teams stack against each other after considering off-season moves. 1. LA Giltinis America's best somehow got better. For a bit of reference, Luke Carty has started tests at 10 … Continue reading MLR Power Rankings: Round 0
Scott Lawrence's sudden resignation from Rugby ATL was only one piece of a very bad day for the Georgia franchise. What led to the shocking move? Lawrence has implied in statements that he no longer saw eye to eye with the new ownership group. While short on specifics, a lack of long term clarity likely … Continue reading What Prompted the Lawrence/ATL Divorce?
The inevitability of some teams receiving useless, and potentially detrimental, byes isn't the only negative scheduling consequence of having an odd number of teams. Since the two conference format was established in 2020, each teams schedule has featured a home-and-away series against each conference rival and a match up against each team of the 6 … Continue reading No MLR Team Sees Every Other Team in 2022
If you enjoy elimination rugby, you're day is about to be just as bright as it was before time change. In their schedule release, Major League Rugby slid in that the Championship Series will expand to a three week affair. Top seeds in each conference will earn a first round bye, while each conference's second … Continue reading MLR Expands Playoffs
Seven teams have realistic playoff paths. Even good teams are now being pushed aside. Can any team break into the current top 4? The odds are decreasing each week. 1. LA Giltinis (Last Week: 2) The LA/San Diego rivalry could become one of Major League Rugby's best. The Giltinis winning the inaugural match pushes them … Continue reading Power Rankings: MLR Round 14
Toronto is officially out. Old Glory likely joins them this week. With ATL likely to overcome DC at home, and RUNY likely to beat up on Toronto at Life University, the focus is on the mid-table clash at Union Point. The Free Jacks are undeafted a home. A loss makes a playoff appearance unrealistic. NOLA … Continue reading State of the Race: MLR Eastern Conference
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