Major League Rugby MLR
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Jayson Potroz named MLR Player of the Year
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From a Americas Rugby News article:
... behind the scenes MLR is set to reveal significant changes in the 2024 schedule. ...
As revealed ... the new campaign will begin two weeks later in the year with a March 2 weekend kickoff. That change will help alleviate some concerns with troublesome weather for northerly-based teams, but will also necessitate a two-week pause in the season – during the playoffs no less – to accommodate the July international window.If this happens, it could mean that the NZ players in the MLR who will play NPC, may be back late and not able to play for their NPC team from the start of the season. That's also assuming they will have a break in-between both competitions.
Obviously, not all teams will make the finals, but it could still affect quite a few players.
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Instagram post with the new competition structure:
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New England Free Jacks have announced their squad for the 2024 MLR season.
Kiwis
Malakai Hala-Ngatai (Manawatū)
Sean Ralph (Waikato)
Mitch Jacobson (Waikato)
Seta Baker ( Ta$man)
Reece MacDonald (BOP 2018)
Jayson Potroz (Taranaki)
Danyon Morgan-Puterangi (North Harbour)Not returning:
Joel Hintz
Kianu Kereru-Symes
Mils Sanerivi
Sam Fischli
Joe Johnston
Slade McDowall
Kieran McClea
Beaudein Waakahttps://freejacks.com/news/new-england-free-jacks-announce-2024-roster/
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Geez, another one. All's going well in the MLR. :confused_face:
@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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Does this mean a number of MLR players will return to New Zealand and could play Super Rugby next year?
@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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I wonder where they find the money to buy all those players. Stadiums are empty and I guess that TV incomes are very low.
@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? -
@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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@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.
@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"
