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www.majorleague.rugby/standings/
If literally everything goes well for NOLA that could, they could sneak into the play-offs. Just about everything else is wrapped up. MLR will probably add a 3rd birth and a bye to their Playoff system to make next year more suspenseful at he end.
Standings - Major League Rugby
| Major League Rugby
www.majorleague.rugby/news/round-seventeen-recap/
SEA 30 - NOLA 6. Choke of the season. Atlanta and RUNY are now your two playoff teams from the East.
NE 28 - TOR 17. NE apparently started their season 5 weeks too late. If they keep this team together next season, they will make The East Division a mine field.
ATL 41 - UT 31 - Utah had the #2 birth in the West in the bag. Plus Atlanta was way better towards the end of the year than the beginning. (Yep, that's my excuse for not believing ATL would make the playoffs.)
LA 31 - AUS 17. LA wins by 14 while still on cruise control. I'd like to see them play a motivated match.
DC 38 - SD 29 - I have no clue how SD had this sort of a season.
RUNY 54 - HOU 19 - Houston is still a long way away from fielding a competitive squad. RUNY gave up 19, which means they still haven't really matched how well that D can play.
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Round 17 Recap - Major League Rugby
WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER DIEGEL FOR THE RUGBY NETWORK Week 17 was highlighted by one massive upset that put a damper in the playoff hopes of one Eastern Conference contender. Elsewhere, the Western Conference playoff is set and teams look to finish the season strong as we head into the final week of the season. The … Continue reading "Round 17 Recap" | Major League Rugby
www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/31760458/england-debutants-shine-victory-spirited-usa
So England stepped on the gas early. The US had no answer to Joe Cokanasiga. All else was commentary.
England debutants impress in win over USA
England scored seven tries as a virtual reserve team beat a spirited United States 43-29 in an entertaining though ragged Twickenham clash on Saturday. | ESPN.com
www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/31769081/wales-leigh-halfpenny-undergo-knee-surgery-ruled-summer-tests
So this makes me regret how I worded the initial post.
Halfpenny to have knee surgery, ruled out of summer tests
Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny requires surgery on a knee ligament injury sustained in the 68-12 win over Canada, ruling him out of their summer tests. | ESPN.com
www.majorleague.rugby/news/round-sixteen-preview/
OK, here's my take on why each game does or does not matter.
Sea at SD - This game has no bearing on playoff contention. Both teams are dead dick dawgs. This is about Cam Dolan vs Rickert Hatting for who will one day play Number 8 for the USA Eagles. Dolan (SD) is the starter and one of the best line-out receivers USA Rugby has ever had. Hatting (SEA) is a player who does everything you want out of the position on offense. Dolan tackles better. These two make this one palatable. It's like a job interview where you get to beat up your competition.
RUNY at NE - RUNY will eliminate NE and just about punch their own ticket to 1st Place Eastern Conference. They have too much defense. That wins championships.
DC vs TOR - at least it isn't Women's Basketball.
NOLA at LA - LA should clinch. If NOLA pulls this off, NOLA makes the play-offs. LA still wins the West, but just can't rest starters at the end of the regular season. NOLA might do this just because of the asymmetrical motivation for NOLA. Just maybe NOLA pulls this off.....
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Round Sixteen Preview - Major League Rugby
WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER DIEGEL FOR THE RUGBY NETWORK | Photo by Quinn width The chase for the 2021 MLR crown is down to six teams as we enter the final three weeks of the season. With the two teams battling for the last spot in the West on bye, it’s the East Coast clashes and … Continue reading "Round Sixteen Preview" | Major League Rugby
England names an inexperienced side for their training exercise vs. The USA of 4 July. The revenge squad follows below.
England team for United States:
Starting XV: Freddie Steward, Joe Cokanasiga, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Marcus Smith, Harry Randall, Ellis Genge, Curtis Langdon, Joe Heyes, Josh McNally, Charlie Ewels, Lewis Ludlow (captain), Sam Underhill, Callum Chick. Replacements: Jamie Blamire, Beno Obano, Trevor Davison, Ted Hill, Ben Curry, Lewis Ludlam, Dan Robson, Jacob Umaga.
Look for Genge to hammer the Eagles' scrum, and look for England's wide attack to run through Joe Cokanasiga and Henry Slade. The difference between and ugly, muddy win and a 4th of July revenge session will be the ability of England to kick ball out wide to Cokanasiga and how well Slade kicks the US backline into serious trouble. Article follows below.
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England name Smith fly-half in inexperienced side to face United States
England have included eight uncapped players in their starting line-up to play the United States at Twickenham on Sunday. | ESPN.com
Also from Europe. Leigh Halfpenny hits the century mark. 100 Caps for Wales. Enjoy seeing him while he's still able to walk.
Halfpenny set for 100th test in Wales-Canada
Full-back Leigh Halfpenny will make his 100th test appearance when Wales host Canada at the Principality Stadium on Saturday. | ESPN.com
Stuart Hogg will Captain the British Lions vs. South Africa. Always the threat, yet always the hot--head. Let's see if he's grown up.
Hogg to captain Lions tour opener in South Africa
Scotland's Stuart Hogg will captain the British & Irish Lions in their South Africa tour opener against the Gauteng Lions. | ESPN.com
www.majorleague.rugby/stats-standings/
The MLR Playoff Seeds are coming into focus. LA and ATL are in and are prohibitive favorites to win the West and East respectively. Utah should be the other qualifier in the West. Rugby New York is currently ahead, but faces a dogfight to qualify.
Standings - Major League Rugby
Learn about North America's premier professional rugby league. | Major League Rugby