Major League Rugby MLR
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@Stargazer There is a large NZ contingent at NY. The coaches include James Semple, Ben Afeaki and Andy Ellis plus about a dozen players.
Those who say that NZR should also look to North America to build partnerships might be concerned too.
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@SBW1 That depends. The MLR organisation will try to find another MLR club for them first (there may still be spots available). Only if they don't succeed (or the player doesn't agree with the move or the conditions), they'll either return to NZ or sign somewhere else (if possible). Obviously, if they return home and don't sign somewhere else, they may be available for SR replacement contracts.
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@cgrant The clubs are all privately-owned, so my guess is that it all depends on how deep into their pockets those private owners want to go and how many other sponsors there are who are willing to pay. I understand there are also salaray caps to be taken into account.
It must be a very difficult situation for the players and their families.
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@Bovidae He's been joined by Matt Giteau who has come out of retirement to sign for San Diego.
He said in February that he had milked the game and his contracts dry, when saying he was retiring. Apparently not, there is still a place to milk a bit more.
It's almost a shame, hard to take the comp too seriously with these fellas still playing. He and Nonu must be having a laugh when they meet, 41 and still getting paid to waddle around the field? -
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@Machpants said in Major League Rugby MLR:
Nonu is still one of the best players in the States, if not the best
Americans commentating on Rugby sounds so fucked up
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@Machpants , yep mate not saying otherwise, just saying this is the state of the comp when a 41yo is one of best in comp. Not a criticism of Nonu in anyway,or Giteau for taking on a contract, just sums up where the MLR is in my opinion. It's good that there is another level of pro rugby.
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@Dan54 said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Machpants , yep mate not saying otherwise, just saying this is the state of the comp when a 41yo is one of best in comp. Not a criticism of Nonu in anyway,or Giteau for taking on a contract, just sums up where the MLR is in my opinion. It's good that there is another level of pro rugby.
Not sure about Giteau but I’d say Nonu would still be pretty damn sharp for 41. Probably still better than a few Super Rugby players truth be told.
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Watching MLR, the quality of rugby is dreadful for a (semi)professional league. After a few beers you can't help but think "I could play that badly for money"
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Not MLR, but cool
The smoking hot Constance Nunes and her custom car company sponsor the local rugby side.
Sponsors functions I would actually attend
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So this season has already started, without my being aware of it, until by pure luck... the most local of my local breweries happened to have the Seawolves game on the big screen.
Promising precedent.
And decent game, in atrocious conditions, played on a soccer field ... but a win for the good guys with a last minute try.
Potroz playing for the opponents, doing a decent job at this level. -
Big problems in MLR.
- Miami Sharks, NOLA Gold and now the Houston Saber Cats will not be part of the 2026 season.
- Los Angeles and San Diego will be merging to create a new franchise (California Legion).
MLR Crisis Deepens as Houston SaberCats Pull Out of MLR 2026 - Americas Rugby News
The Houston SaberCats are out of Major League Rugby (MLR). After eight seasons of MLR, the Houston Sabercats have pulled-out of competing in MLR 2026. The official Page of Houston’s professional rugby team released the following statement: The decision from the Houston Saber Cats means Major...
With four less teams, that's a lot less opportunities for the non-SR NZ rugby players to earn some coin before returning for the NPC. It might push more to going to Europe or Japan permanently.
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@Bovidae said in Major League Rugby MLR:
It might push more to going to Europe or Japan permanently.
Not necessarily sadly. All it will mean is that more players will be chasing fewer opportunities and not all of the spots available will go to NPC players as there are a few players in other countries that are of around the same standard as our guys. I am also guessing that some players from more economically challenged countries could come at a cheaper cost, an important consideration given the reputed poor financial position of many rugby organisations. A lot our NPC guys could miss out altogether and be forced to stay at home or even worse retire from rep rugby.
It could all revolve around which player agent has the best contacts and who can come up with the best (and pad out) "highlights reel"? -
@Higgins said in Major League Rugby MLR:
@Bovidae said in Major League Rugby MLR:
It might push more to going to Europe or Japan permanently.
Not necessarily sadly. All it will mean is that more players will be chasing fewer opportunities and not all of the spots available will go to NPC players as there are a few players in other countries that are of around the same standard as our guys. I am also guessing that some players from more economically challenged countries could come at a cheaper cost, an important consideration given the reputed poor financial position of many rugby organisations. A lot our NPC guys could miss out altogether and be forced to stay at home or even worse retire from rep rugby.
It could all revolve around which player agent has the best contacts and who can come up with the best (and pad out) "highlights reel"?Completely agree with this. For a lot of guys MLR is the other half of their yearly pay cheque. With an NPC cap of just under 900k. It will be more difficult for non-Super players to dedicate themselves to footy. Especially those over the age of 22/23. Where life starts getting more expensive. There are several guys who have moved from MLR to Super. Some successfully. Some not. We may see players, as you mentioned just pack it in without that year round ability to make a living, albeit a small one out of footy.
