Major League Rugby MLR

Higgins

@Stargazer Naikatini must be pushing 40 by now. He is sort of an uncle to the Fijian contingent of my whangai grandkids!

mikedogz

https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/expansion-teams-headline-off-season-of-growth-for-major-league-rugby/?fbclid=IwAR2xaGl3MZfCGr91WUDWcBoctuLFzkszQoUzcH8CEh04w_t6RD58bZTROUQ

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3314775982078862

Stargazer

@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.

Bovidae

@Stargazer The NE Free Jacks are essentially a Boston team.

Stargazer

@Bovidae Are they? NE is so big, that I wasn't sure.

Stargazer

Rugby New York has announced it's squad for the 2023 season:

alt text

Kiwis:
Tevita Langi
Sam Davies
Hamish Dalzell
Brad Tucker
Brendon O'Connor
Kara Pryor
Jack Heighton
Jason Emery
Faʻasui Fuatai
Teihorangi Walden

Coaches:
James Semple
Ben Afeaki
Andy Ellis

Also:
Ed Fidow plays for Manawatū.
Canadian Quinn Ngawati played for Mid Canterbury in 2022.

Higgins

@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

mikedogz

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinn_Ngawati

OleOleOle

@Stargazer Ishmail Shabazz...not a Kiwi but spent tie playing for Te Awamutu Sports in the Waikato

Stargazer

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

https://www.americasrugbynews.com/2023/02/13/mlr-2023-dallas-jackals-arn-season-guide/

Kiwis: none

Fijian Maikeli Naromaitoga has apparently played for Mid-Canterbury.

Stargazer

Chicago Hounds

https://www.americasrugbynews.com/competitions/2023-major-league-rugby/mlr-2023-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.

Stargazer

New England Free Jacks

https://www.americasrugbynews.com/competitions/2023-major-league-rugby/mlr-2023-new-england-free-jacks/

Kiwis:
Kianu Kereru-Symes
Mills Sanerivi
Joel Hintz
Sam Fischli
Mitch Jacobson
Joe Johnston
Kieran McClea
Reece MacDonald
Jayson Potroz

Semisi 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.

Stargazer

San Diego

https://www.americasrugbynews.com/competitions/2023-major-league-rugby/mlr-2023-san-diego-legion/

Kiwis:
Shilo Klein (born in USA, so eligible for that country, too)
Tom Franklin
Isaac Ross
Dan Pryor
Richard Judd
Ma'a Nonu
Tomas Aoake

Blair 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.

Stargazer

Seattle Seawolves

https://www.americasrugbynews.com/competitions/2023-major-league-rugby/mlr-2023-seattle-seawolves/

Kiwis:
Sam Matenga
Charles Elton

AJ Alatimu (Samoa) played for Counties Manukau, this year.

Stargazer

Toronto Arrows

https://www.americasrugbynews.com/competitions/2023-major-league-rugby/mlr-2023-toronto-arrows/

Kiwis:
Lolani Faleiva
Gene Syminton
Isaac Salmon
Micaiah Torrance-Reid
Sam Malcolm

Tautalatasi Tasi is NZ born, but Aussie raised, and has never played in NZ.
Aussie Will Grant has played for Northland.
Irishman Conán O'Donnell has played for the Highlanders, Counties Manukau and - in 2022 - Northland.