Major League Rugby Week #7 Power Rankings – Former Player Reinforcements
Honestly, the theme of this week should be if your team can handle the weather given the differing conditions we had this week. Chicago looks unstoppable as usual, the Legion has the most obvious kryptonite I have ever seen a team have, the Seawolves resemble Rocky after every final fight, Anthem cannot seem to catch a break, Old Glory seemed to have stalled, and the Free Jacks seem to be hitting their grove somewhat. What a wacky and wild week of Major League Rugby!
The theme of this week is former players. Injuries, suspensions and overall weaknesses have shown themselves as the season progressed and teams desperately need reinforcements. Inspired by the Free Jacks signing back both former players in Andrew Quattrin and Paula Balekana, every team now has the luxury of bringing back one player to sure up their chances of making a push for the shield. I tried to stay away from retired players for obvious reasons, however I did make one exception which I think people will understand.
#1 Chicago Hounds – Dylan Fawsitt/Hooker/Retired
I think Ben Holden would question my choices here because how can you improve on the perfect rugby team. Ok now that I got that cheeky jab out of the way back to business. After the Hounds demolishing of Anthem in a 61-36 thumping of Anthem Rugby Carolina, you could be forgiven for wondering what more could the Hounds want from their team? Their depth is excellent and their stars seem to be cruising along fine. One of those stars is hooker Deon Fourie. Questions about whether he could fill the void of the Butcher known as Dylan Fawsitt and well, he has certainly done that. So why am I advocating for Dylan to return to this squad? Well, why have one excellent hooker when you can have two? While Beckerman and Zabierek are decent in their own right, the quality of the lineouts certainly dips when Fourie leaves the pitch. He is also one of the few players to play in every single game for the Hounds, that’s a lot of wear and tear. Fawsitt would provide ample cover for the Hounds while maintaining a similar quality to that of Fourie. Plus, given how they are likely to win the league, why not add another shield to his trophy case? Do it Hounds, bring back the Butcher for one last dance…I feel I’ve heard that phrase before…
With the Hounds traveling to the Bay area and playing at Saint Mary’s, they might rotate the squad even more. Perhaps give Baska another go at scrumhalf, maybe rest Fourie, Loots might play against his old squad and maybe have Videla play fullback to give MVP candidate Brock Webster a rest? Or perhaps they want to prove weather wasn’t a factor in their first win over the Legion and bring their strongest side? It will be interesting to see.
#2 California Legion – Ma’a Nonu/Center/Toulon
You have no idea how badly I wanted to drop the Legion down a peg and laugh at them. All of the California teams losses have been humorous in some way. They were ill-prepared against what now looks like a playoff missing Anthem, Chicago kicked the crap out of them in the rain, and then they lost to the Free Jacks in the rain again. I have said it before and I said it again, this team has the most obvious Achilles heel, which is when they can’t play the way they want, they fold. The loss to the Free Jacks in particular is embarrassing as they blew out them in Week #2. The 26-21 loss shows that the Legion have some concerns regarding adjustments on the field and adapting when the pressure is truly on. This is why they need the ageless wonder that is Ma’a Nonu back in the squad. The All-Back Center now playing for Toulon brings experience and some needed physicality to the Legion backs. Nonu paired with Billy Meakes would be a devastating combo that could even give Chicago a scare.
However, the Legion needs to pray for the driest California day possible as they face the Hounds at Saint Mary’s. Everyone is saying this offense when the conditions are right can challenge the unbeaten Chicago side. Well next week we are going to find out, possibly. I will say if it’s a sunny day and the Hounds blow out the Legion again; they are going to the bottom of the Power Rankings for the frauds that they would be. Seriously, how hard is it to adjust a game plan for weather guys?
#3 Seattle Seawolves – Sam Matenga/Tighthead Prop/ Blues
Geez, this team does not know how to win a boring game, do they? To be frank, I thought Old Glory had the Seawolves number going into the second half, but Clarke got the boys to rally. While DC’s discipline shifted the game, the Seawolves nearly choked away a 30-25 win over in the nations capital. The return of Ina Futi was vital and Dan Kriel’s return to form have been godsends to the team. With Davy Coetzer’s return next week (hopefully) and Rufus McLean returning to practice, Seattle’s injury report seems to finally be shrinking (knock on wood). There are a lot of guys who would be huge returns for the Seawolves. Cameron Orr’s steady presence is missed greatly, Malembe Mpofu at lock would be huge, Charles Elton would be a massive addition, and AJ Alatimu would be welcome reinforcement at the flyhalf position. However, I am going with the Kiwi Sam Matenga as my player to return. Matenga’s time with the Seawolves ended in 2024 and since then Clarke has yet to find a long-term replacement. Peculo was playing admirably until he got injured against the Free Jacks and Mason Pederson is well Mason Pederson. Having a prop who has been a consistent squad member of a Super Rugby side would be a massive upgrade at the position and strengthen a beat up front row for the Seawolves.
Seattle returns home after a two week away game schedule to face Anthem. I know a lot of Seawolves fans were fuming at the loss from Week #2 due to a controversial call which shifted momentum. The Seattle faithful are out for blood and revenge against a team in poor form, Anthem. Is this…hope I feel...No I cannot afford to yet.
#4 New England Free Jacks – Reece McDonald/Flyhalf and Fullback/ NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu
Who took the foot off this teams throat? Do you realize what you have done? The three-time champions have momentum and reinforcements coming in fast! With another win against Legion bringing them closer to the playoff hunt, are the Free Jacks back? What will help their case is their signings of Andrew Quattrin and Paula Balekana, two huge additions to a squad in decent form. While the weather played a factor in their 26-21 win over the California Legion, their discipline was much improved from their Week #2 showing. So why not bring back another future Free Jacks wall of honor member in Reece McDonald. Yes, yes I could have brough back Jason Potroz but honestly Joel Hodgson is a younger better version of what you’d get in the Kiwi. McDonald on the other hand can fill in at the Free Jacks most glaring position #15. Mitch Wilson is not a fullback and while Harrison Boyle has done an admirable job in the role, McDonald could open up the offense greatly. So Free Jacks, why not give him a call, you know you want to.
The Free Jacks are probably thinking about their matchup against Old Glory and wonder, what if? If they had just held on against DC at home in Week #3, they would be in the playoffs at the moment. Now going to Old Glory’s home, the Free Jacks hope to take their revenge and cement their return to post season contention.
#5 Old Glory DC – Axel Müller/ Wing/RC Narbonne
I think its time to start talking about DC. I know everyone was harping on Seattle’s decision to go to Cape Town for a long preseason and how they got beat up as a result. Meanwhile DC was praised for its lack of one and how healthy they are. Well now they have a 2-4 record and are risking missing the playoffs. As bad as Seattle got, the one thing I never completely doubted was their chemistry. Regardless of the combinations, new additions, players out of position and the challenge in front of them, it felt like the team was following a game plan. This Old Glory side, while extremely talented, feels like they are missing something. Now granted the loss to the Hounds had the controversial card which swung momentum, but every other loss DC could not seem to finish their opponents off. Legion crushed them in the final 15, and Seattle both times used the second half to pull away to a comfortable margin. While their defense is excellent still, their offense has not been able to capitalize when it has come down to the wire. Hence why I am begging Axel Müller to return to this side. Müller might not be the most talented player I could sign, but he had a knack of making something out of nothing. That try against the Miami Sharks last year is proof of that. That kind of explosiveness and to be frank, luck is what DC desperately needs.
Once again DC faces New England after losing to a Seattle side that they probably should have beaten. However, this Free Jacks side is confident and stronger than before. Likely without Captain Rob Harley and Tevite Naquali out, Rick Rose and Billy Whiteside are going to need to hold down the fort in the second row for a bit. DC cannot afford to continue to spiral, a must win game for them.
#6 Anthem Rugby Carolina- Toby Fricker/Winger and Fullback/ Bristol Bears
I really did not want to put Anthem bottom of my rankings, I thought they were done with this for a while. However, this Anthem side cannot seem to buy a win to save their lives. As mentioned by many, a club high of 36 points was not enough to conquer Chicago. Anthem has not won a game since Week #3 against the Seawolves, a three-game losing streak. They’ve lost to Chicago twice, DC and New England and recent form suggest they are not going to defeat Legion or Seattle at this rate. While Anthem’s offense is high-powered, giving up 61 points is frankly dreadful. Particularly, they were beaten in the backs with Esdale, Storti and Roberts targeted. They need some defensive help and some 15s experience. I cannot believe I am saying this given how critical I was of his time at Anthem, but Toby Fricker might be worth a call. What makes Fricker a potential upgrade is he can cover both 15 and winger. That would allow Roberts to shift back to winger where he played arguably his best game against the Legion. It’s not a perfect upgrade but it might be what the Anthem needs.
Anthem are in must win territory when they travel to Starfire. While Jordon Trainor returning is a huge boost, Cuca is going to have to try something drastically different from previous weeks. The injury to Gurovich does not help matters as he was Anthem’s best lineout thrower so far. Perhaps the return of Seth Smith is all Anthem needs to find the early success they had this season.
Concluding Thoughts
Its been a whirlwind of a week with finals but I survived it! It was kind of therapeutic to do Power Rankings this week as I did not have to write anything academic. Looking forward to this coming week of Major League Rugby and all it brings. Onward!