Major League Rugby

[rowan]

The prospect of North Americans vying for the game's top players has long been on the horizon and may now be becoming a reality...


American Major League side Utah Warriors have announced the signing of former Otago Highlander, Exeter Chief and Tonga’s all-time leading try-scorer, Fetu’u Vainikolo.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/major-le ... try-scorer

[Puja]

A couple of bits of very promising news for MLR:

First Utah have made the first real marquee signing of the league with Fetu'u Vainikolo (previously of the Highlanders, Connacht and Exeter) joining. He's 32 and wouldn't necessarily be a star in other leagues, but it's still a very useful statement of intent.

Then Saturday evening saw the debut of the Houston Sabercats with their first warm-up match. It was a regulation 50-7 win over a club side, but the important thing was the crowd - 5,354! A massive effort considering that Houston are one of the MLR sides not to have come out of an existing club and don't have a pre-existing supporter pool. Even if they only keep half of those as regular supporters (and an 8 try victory won't hurt with that), that's not a kick in the backside off what they'd need to be self-sufficient. Very good work Houston - hopefully the rest of the league can follow suit.

Puja

[rowan]

The prospect of North Americans vying for the game's top players has long been on the horizon and may now be becoming a reality...


American Major League side Utah Warriors have announced the signing of former Otago Highlander, Exeter Chief and Tonga’s all-time leading try-scorer, Fetu’u Vainikolo.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/major-le ... try-scorer

This guy, you mean?

Of course, he's 33 this month...

[rowan]

Press Release from Vancouver RFC

MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY TO SCRUM DOWN IN VANCOUVER, BC

Vancouver RFC has entered into discussions to bring Major League Rugby (MLR) to Vancouver for entry in the 2019 season. Founders, Karl Harrison of Vancouver based North Star Rugby and Adrian Balfour of Seattle Rugby LLC (owners of Seattle Seawolves), expressed their excitement for the new venture.

“MLR is a huge step forward for rugby in North America”, said Balfour, “as a founding member of the MLR board I have seen professional rugby grow rapidly as existing MLR franchises expand and new locations explore bids. In the pacific Northwest, we’ve already received huge support from the local community getting behind the Seattle SeaWolves. Season tickets for 2018 are well on their way to being sold out and the addition of a team in Vancouver will create a great, natural rivalry during 2019”.

Harrison, a longstanding supporter of rugby in Vancouver, said “This is such a fantastic opportunity for the whole rugby community in Vancouver and BC. Sure, it comes with risk but all of that is going to be shouldered by our company, and its investors, and not by local rugby.”

Well known and respected local coach, Curry Hitchborn (UBC Thunderbirds) will be taking on the role of Director of Rugby and sees huge upside for Canadian rugby and Canadian players who get fully engaged with Major League Rugby and professionalism. Hitchborn is currently Director of Rugby Development for 2018 MLR entrant, Seattle SeaWolves and has spent the last three months putting together their squad for the inaugural season.

“In getting the SeaWolves team in place I’ve been able to secure positions for a number of Canadian players, including Phil Mack and Brock Staller” says Hitchborn, “Canadian athletes are incredibly enthusiastic about playing the professional game and to be paid for doing what they love. I’m expecting a big response from players in BC and across Canada to the idea of a Vancouver team for 2019”

Hitchborn’s drive and passion is rugby development and he sees this new pro team as a key part of the development process. “We certainly need new initiatives in Canadian rugby to really engage the current community and newcomers - and at every level” he explains, “Professional sport inevitably drives interest in the game and our MLR team in Vancouver will set up an outreach and academy program to get out and about working in the rugby community. I’m really looking forward to engaging our community on that.”

Funding for Vancouver’s pro team will come initially from Harrison and Balfour – both successful businessmen – and further capital will be raised later on from investors in both Vancouver and Seattle.

Harrison, also an investor in Seattle SeaWolves, explains further, saying “Adrian and I know we can move quickly now and over the coming months to draw together an investor group to support the sustainable development of professional rugby in Vancouver. We’ve had initial investor discussions and there’s plenty of appetite to get involved. We’ve had a great response from individuals in and around the rugby community and from sports related companies.”

So what comes next? Adrian Balfour, co-founder of Seattle SeaWolves, is under no illusions about the challenges ahead. “January will see us complete our negotiations with MLR for 2019 and build the infrastructure around our company in Vancouver to get a flying start. We’ll be finalizing our choice of venue for 2019 and talking to Canadian corporate sponsors for sure. Startups are always tough and particularly for a pro sports team. We’re lucky to have our experience ‘from the ground up’ at SeaWolves to guide us and no doubt we’ll be drawing on our guys in Seattle to help us set up in Vancouver.”

“In the meantime”, Harrison points out “We have the fun job of deciding on our name for the Vancouver team. There are some great names already amongst the MLR teams for 2018 – including our own SeaWolves – and we want something for Vancouver that really reflects what Vancouver, BC and our brand of rugby is really about. We’ve got some ideas and want to hear more from within the rugby community.”

[rowan]

Looks like a positive development. Canadian involvement will be a massive boost.

So there'll be two Canadian teams next year, with Ontario also set to join. If they go with East and West divisions they probably won't meet during the regular season unless there are cross-over games.

If there are cross-over games, they should definitely meet annually. That's a rivalry that will excite the Canadian fans.

So the projected lineup for next year is: Glendale, San Diego, Utah, New Orleans, Seattle, Austin, Houston, New York, Ontario, Vancouver, Kansas City and Chicago.

They'd probably want to leave it at 12 for a while and consolidate. East and West divisions with cross-over games, leading to playoffs. That could work very nicely.

[rowan]

Vancouver looks official:

Months after West Vancouver businessman Karl Harrison first suggested he was looking to bring professional rugby to B.C., the news is now official.

For now, call it “Vancouver RFC.”

The new team will launch a year from now and join Major League Rugby, the U.S. circuit that’s set to launch this spring in seven American cities, including Seattle, powered by a handful of well-heeled rugby aficionados. Called the SeaWolves, the Seattle entry says it has enjoyed huge success with ticket sales.

The SeaWolves are owned by Adrian Balfour, a Seattle businessman who’s originally from Ireland. Harrison is an investor in the Seattle team and the two men are the lead investors in the new Vancouver squad.

http://theprovince.com/sports/rugby/van ... e-new-fans

[rowan]

Looks exciting!

I think Vancouver is going to be my team!

[rowan]

Good signing for the Sabercats!

Zach Pangelinan reached another milestone on his rugby journey to the top of his sport by being tapped by Major League Rugby to play for the Houston Sabercats. After returning from a stint playing for the Randwick Rugby Club in Sydney, Australia, the Guamanian landed in the MLR to help launch the United States’ top league in its inaugural season. “I would consider this the highest level of rugby in the U.S.,” wrote Pangelinan in an email to The Guam Daily Post.

The league comprises seven teams: Austin Elite Rugby, Glendale Raptors, New Orleans Gold, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves, Utah Warriors and the Sabercats. Pangelinan makes his Houston debut on April 21 against “The Big Easy,” 7 p.m. at Constellation Field in Houston, Texas. Several MLR games are slated to be televised by CBS Sports Network.

“The team now is coming along nicely, having a good amount international players here really have upped the game-pace and play here in Houston,” wrote Pangelinan.

For the past several years, Pangelinan has made a name for himself in the rugby world and looks forward to his newest endeavor. He has set his sights on big goals. “My expectation here in Houston are pretty straight forward, I wanna win as much games as possible and we have the players and coaching staff to do it,” wrote Pangelinan.

Undoubtedly, the former Simon Sanchez High School Shark standout athlete is ready to tackle this latest challenge head-on and deploy new skills learned while playing Down Under. “Playing at Randwick Rugby Club, in Sydney, was one of the best things I've done in my rugby career,” beamed Pangelinan. “The fitness aspect of it was a bit tough … I think I can apply it by sharing what I've learned and also to continue working on what needs work, to better myself as a player and teammate,” he added.

Aside from earning the opportunity to play in the MLR, Pangelinan has caught Team USA’s attention and has been chosen to play for the USA Selects. “It's always a massive honor to put on the USA jersey and represent the country,” wrote Pangelinan. USA Selects is a team made up of the top players in America and some time has passed since Pangelinan has played for the coveted squad. “It has been awhile since I got the opportunity, so I try to enjoy every moment of it,” he wrote. “Not many people get that chance, so I take nothing for granted and go out and do my best.”

For the superstar Sabercat, advancing to the top of the ranks hasn’t come easy and he shared a tip with his fans all over the world and especially on Guam: “Everyone has an idol when it comes to sport they're playing. Work hard until your idols become your rivals,” he wrote. “Don't ever give up on what you really want to do. There will be times when things get real hard but those are the times that will make you better as a player and a person. Just keep working!”

Pangelinan has been a member of USA 7s and 15s teams, won the Pacific Rugby Premiership 2014 MVP and, in March 2017, received the California Cup co-MVP honors while playing 15s for Old Mission Beach Athletic Club.



https://www.postguam.com/sports/local/p ... 3662e.html

[rowan]

Latest on the Vancouver MLR 2019 expansion team. Wonder what their nick will be?

VANCOUVER, SEATTLE SET TO SHARE OWNERSHIP IN MLR

The plans for a Vancouver entrant into Major League Rugby starting in 2019 were announced earlier this week via a release from the team-to-be’s investment group. Backing the Vancouver effort are Adrian Balfour and Karl Harrison. Balfour is the owner of the Seattle Seawolves, one of the MLR’s original seven franchises, and Harrison is an investor.

Their potential involvement in two MLR franchises sets an interesting precedent. (It should be stated the release didn’t come from or include statements from the league itself.) In the traditional big four of American professional sport, NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL, this kind of cross-ownership within the same league isn't practiced. In fact, until 20 years ago an NFL owner wasn’t allowed to have a stake in another pro team, even in a different sport.

Now, it’s relatively common. Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Los Angeles Rams, also owns the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids and Colorado Mammoths. Seattle Seahwaks owner Paul Allen also owns the Portland Trailblazers and the Seattle Sounders. There are more examples.

Still, ownership of multiple teams in the same league is taboo, if not against the rules entirely, depending on the sport. The NFL still has fairly strict rules dictating the circumstances under which an owner can have a stake in a team of another sport.

However, there is one major professional league in which this practice has precedent – Major League Soccer. At one point, Lamar Hunt, best known as the owner of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and a founding owner of the American Football League, once owned three MLS franchises at the same time – the Kansas City Wizards, Columbus Crew and FC Dallas. Phil Anschutz, the namesake of AEG, once had a stake in eight MLS franchises.

These cross-ownerships came at a time when the MLS was still on shaky ground financially. Without Anschutz and Hunt stepping in with their deep pockets, the MLS might not exist as we know it today.

MLR is commissioned by Dean Howes, the former chief executive of the MLS’ Real Salt Lake, and the league’s ownership structure and back office is modeled after that of the MLS. Just look at the logos side-by-side to get an idea of how the MLR views the MLS, and itself in comparison. So it shouldn’t come as a shock that the MLR would defer to the MLS’ history on the matter of multi-team ownership. An MLR official confirmed there is no rule against it. When it comes to rules and operating procedures, the league office doesn't dictate to the teams. There is a board with representation from each team that makes the big decisions.

There are some storylines to keep an eye on as both teams progress. Perhaps the most obvious is the role of Curry Hitchborn – he’s the rugby development director for the Seattle Seawolves and has already been tapped for the role of director of rugby for the yet-to-be-named Vancouver team. Effectively, he’ll be charged with simultaneously helping the Seawolves get off the ground in the inaugural season and building its geographic rival for the second.

Considering the makeup of the Seattle team, this is even more intriguing. Of the 20 players the Seawolves have signed, seven are Canadian. Several have ties to Vancouver or British Columbia. It’s unclear if they’re on one-year or multi-year contracts, but it would stand to reason that Canadian players might want to play for a Canadian franchise. If they left en masse for Vancouver, or the team expected to sprout up in Ontario, it would rip a sizeable hole in the Seawolves’ roster heading into year two.

The amount of international players on Seattle’s roster in itself needs explanation. Word leaked out in the lead-up to the initial season that each team would be allowed to carry five players who don’t qualify for the United States national team. In reality, the MLR is taking direction from the MLS’s policy, which looks at the cumulative of internationals league-wide and not the per-team count. So each team has five international slots, but those can be dealt between teams.

At first glance, it would appear Seattle has gathered as many as six additional international slots – seven Canadians, England-capped Mat Turner, South African Riekert Hattingh, Australian Peter Smith and Belgian Jeramy Lenaerts, who doesn’t qualify for the Eagles despite having played collegiately at Central Washington.

Looking at the move through an optimistic lens, it is encouraging that Seattle has owners deep-pocketed enough to take on two franchises. It’s also a good sign they see enough potential in the league to double down on their investment.

Vancouver isn’t the first new franchise to go public with its plan to join the MLR in 2019. A New York team has been announced, and it will be led by James Kennedy, and former professional wrestler John Layfield is involved. As a precursor to jumping into the MLR, it will play some matches this spring, and it will be coached by former Eagles head man Mike Tolkin and longtime cohort Bruce McLane, both of whom have helped lead Xavier High School and the New York Athletic Club to national titles at their respective levels.

There’s also the Ontario side, named the Arrows, which will play some preliminary games this spring, too. The Chicago Lions and Kansas City Blues, both originally thought to be participants for the inaugural season, may also be ready to field teams in 2019. Boston is another city working to get a team, and there are more in communication with the league office which haven’t come to light yet.

If the league gets to a number where it can, expect it to split into two symmetrical conferences or divisions to ease the cost of travel. In that scenario, Seattle and Vancouver would almost be certainly drawn together, adding more depth to the intrigue of their shared ownership.

PRO MLR

http://www.rugbytoday.com/clubs/vancouv ... ership-mlr

[rowan]

Cats brought crashing back to earth . . .



Houston’s preseason undefeated streak has ended at just one game as CDI Premier League side UBCOB Ravens scored a 26-23 upset over their Major League Rugby hosts at Constellation Field on Saturday evening. Chilly conditions affected ball handling and also attendance, with an initial figure of 2,000 reported. It’s significantly less than the 5,000 plus who showed up to the preseason opener last weekend but still a respectable figure given the circumstances.

The SaberCats got off to a quick start with tries from Zach Pangelinan, Josua Vici, and Justin Allen contributing to an early 17-0 lead. Things then went sour as first Pago Haini and then Jamie Dever were sent to the bin forcing Houston to defend for the best part of 20 minutes.

Former Canadian international Jon Phelan crossed almost immediately following the first card, with Canada ‘A’ cap Adam McQueen adding the first of six successful shots at goal. He would slot a penalty with Haini still off the field to make the halftime score 17-10.

Pangelinan landed his first penalty early in the second half but the Ravens replied with a try through shifty fullback Aaron McLelland. The New Zealander is already being eyed by the Rugby Canada selectors even though he is only halfway through his residency requirements. McQueen was on target with the conversion before adding a penalty goal to draw the scores level heading into the final quarter.

As both teams rang the changes Pangelinan was afforded another kick and he made no mistake to open a precarious three-point lead. Houston’s discipline was not up to scratch, however, and McQueen tied it once more with his third penalty goal. Yet another penalty conceded gave McQueen a chance to win it in the 78th minute and his ambitious kick from halfway paid off, sailing over the crossbar to give the Ravens their first lead of the match.

A desperate attack from the SaberCats in the final seconds went for naught as Vici was bundled into touch to bring up the final whistle. It’s a famous win for the Ravens and a disappointing defeat for Houston, but with seven games left on their preseason schedule ultimately a result that will matter little come opening day on April 21.



SCORING

HOUSTON SABERCATS 23
Tries – Z. Pangelinan (5’), J. Vici (9’), J. Allen (24’)
Cons – Z. Pangelinan 1/3 (25’)
Pens – Z. Pangelinan 2/2 (42’, 66’)
Yellow cards – P. Haini (27’), J. Dever (37’)

UBCOB RAVENS 26
Tries – J. Phelan (28’), A. McLelland (46’)
Cons – A. McQueen 2/2 (29’, 47’)
Pens – A. McQueen 4/4 (36’, 60’, 75’, 78’)



TEAMS

HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Jamie Dever, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Adam Macklin, 4 Justin Allen, 5 Charlie Hewitt, 6 Kyle Sumsion (capt.), 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Pago Haini, 9 Connor Murphy, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Josua Vici, 12 Conor Mills, 13 Osea Kolinisau, 14 Art Reyes, 15 Zach Pangelinan

Replacements: 16 Jack Riley, 17 Estevan Florez, 18 Petey Hepburn, 19 Robert Meeson, 20 Chris Parker, 21 Chris Slater, 22 Kieran Farmer, 23 Dan Paul

UBCOB RAVENS
1 Curtis Delmonico, 2 Paul Ahn, 3 Dimitri Gotsopoulos, 4 Jon Phelan, 5 Sam Clark, 6 Nick Waggott, 7 Simon Etheve, 8 Karl Moran, 9 AJ King, 10 Harjun Gill, 11 Sean Ferguson, 12 Adam McQueen, 13 Cully Quirke (capt.), 14 Graham Turner, 15 Aaron McLelland

Replacements: 16 Marc Belvedere, 17 Matias Suez, 18 Trystan Clironomos, 19 David O’Donoghue, 20 Kol Henrikson, 21 Ben Grant, 22 Tom McGrath, 23 James Thompson



MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)



Attendance: 2,000


http://www.americarugbynews.com/2018/01 ... arm-match/

[Mellsblue]

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ssion=true

The saved the best line for last:
“It’s a mix of soccer, American football and creaming people,” he said. “I think it’s gonna make it, honestly.”

[rowan]

Yes, Uruguay match was mentioned on the Global Results thread because I wasn't sure whether to put it here or on the South American thread over there. Interestingly the tourists requested no video be made of the match, as they didn't want to give anything away before this weekend's crucial away leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff with Canada.

[Puja]

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ssion=true

The saved the best line for last:
“It’s a mix of soccer, American football and creaming people,” he said. “I think it’s gonna make it, honestly.”

That's a good article. Houston seem to be doing a superb job of drawing people in - the opening game obviously had big numbers because of the novelty and the Uruguay was possibly inflated from fans of the away side, but even the low-water mark of the Vancouver game drew 2,000 odd people, which is pretty impressive for a brand new team. I've seen reports that they're taking a leaf out of Minor League Baseball's playbook - "tailgates" beforehand (so basically the West Car Park at Twickenham, but with trucks and Texans and barbecue) and loads of family involvement, making the day out almost as much of a draw to new people as the sport. It's a good way to get people in.

New Orleans had a first hit-out this weekend as well - a big win against a Washington DC invitational team. No official crowd numbers as it was a double header, but estimates say around 2k again, which is also good. Hopefully the rest of the league can follow suit.

Puja

[rowan]

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ssion=true

The saved the best line for last:
“It’s a mix of soccer, American football and creaming people,” he said. “I think it’s gonna make it, honestly.”

That's a good article. Houston seem to be doing a superb job of drawing people in - the opening game obviously had big numbers because of the novelty and the Uruguay was possibly inflated from fans of the away side, but even the low-water mark of the Vancouver game drew 2,000 odd people, which is pretty impressive for a brand new team. I've seen reports that they're taking a leaf out of Minor League Baseball's playbook - "tailgates" beforehand (so basically the West Car Park at Twickenham, but with trucks and Texans and barbecue) and loads of family involvement, making the day out almost as much of a draw to new people as the sport. It's a good way to get people in.

New Orleans had a first hit-out this weekend as well - a big win against a Washington DC invitational team. No official crowd numbers as it was a double header, but estimates say around 2k again, which is also good. Hopefully the rest of the league can follow suit.

Puja

Match report here: https://www.earfulofdirt.com/2018/01/no ... pital.html

[Puja]

And New York are definitely getting their act together, with a full slate of friendly games planned and their stadium confirmed as Gaelic Park (a GAA stadium in the Bronx of 2k capacity).

That's something I'm glad to see, as rugby league have nominated New York as an expansion city to join the British leagues in 2019. Ordinarily, I'd be unbothered by rugby league, but the fact that the same people got regular crowds of 7k to Toronto (which I didn't consider likely at all) is unnerving. They are due to play in the 25k Red Bull Arena and should they get even half-way respectable crowds, rugby could end up being the poor cousin in New York.

I am hopeful that the 7k in Toronto was due to lack of other pro options and that as soon as the Arrows and RCNY get going, the union-playing community will swing behind them and away from league.

Puja

[morepork]

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2018/ ... ssion=true

The saved the best line for last:
“It’s a mix of soccer, American football and creaming people,” he said. “I think it’s gonna make it, honestly.”

That's a good article. Houston seem to be doing a superb job of drawing people in - the opening game obviously had big numbers because of the novelty and the Uruguay was possibly inflated from fans of the away side, but even the low-water mark of the Vancouver game drew 2,000 odd people, which is pretty impressive for a brand new team. I've seen reports that they're taking a leaf out of Minor League Baseball's playbook - "tailgates" beforehand (so basically the West Car Park at Twickenham, but with trucks and Texans and barbecue) and loads of family involvement, making the day out almost as much of a draw to new people as the sport. It's a good way to get people in.

New Orleans had a first hit-out this weekend as well - a big win against a Washington DC invitational team. No official crowd numbers as it was a double header, but estimates say around 2k again, which is also good. Hopefully the rest of the league can follow suit.

Puja

Tailgating is an American institution. NFL and college game carparks have to be seen to be believed. If they can replicate that without the feral aggro and families pick it up, then it could catch on.

[rowan]

And New York are definitely getting their act together, with a full slate of friendly games planned and their stadium confirmed as Gaelic Park (a GAA stadium in the Bronx of 2k capacity).

That's something I'm glad to see, as rugby league have nominated New York as an expansion city to join the British leagues in 2019. Ordinarily, I'd be unbothered by rugby league, but the fact that the same people got regular crowds of 7k to Toronto (which I didn't consider likely at all) is unnerving. They are due to play in the 25k Red Bull Arena and should they get even half-way respectable crowds, rugby could end up being the poor cousin in New York.

I am hopeful that the 7k in Toronto was due to lack of other pro options and that as soon as the Arrows and RCNY get going, the union-playing community will swing behind them and away from league.

Puja

You could bet your bottom dollar that team would be full of uni converts though. There's actually no rivalry between the codes in North America. League hardly exists, for one thing, and is by and large unknown. Those who are aware of its existence merely look at it the way American football fans look upon Canadian football, for example: Just another option if the other choices don't work out. & that works both ways. If a North American team were involved in European competition that would draw more attention to the rugby concept itself, with the vast majority of Americans unaware there is a difference. The average Joe isn't going to particularly care if the nearest rugby club plays the 15-man version or the 13-man version, but right now it's about 100 times more likely to be the former than the latter.

[Mellsblue]

And New York are definitely getting their act together, with a full slate of friendly games planned and their stadium confirmed as Gaelic Park (a GAA stadium in the Bronx of 2k capacity).

rugby league have.......nominated New York as an expansion city to join the British leagues in 2019[/url].........They are due to play in the 25k Red Bull Arena

Puja

As a famous alumnus once said, ‘name your sources’ with regards NY RFC. I’ll send the info on to my bro.

As for League at the Red Bull Arena. I think it’s an utter biatch to get to which may put off some floating voters.

[Puja]

And New York are definitely getting their act together, with a full slate of friendly games planned and their stadium confirmed as Gaelic Park (a GAA stadium in the Bronx of 2k capacity).

rugby league have.......nominated New York as an expansion city to join the British leagues in 2019[/url].........They are due to play in the 25k Red Bull Arena

Puja

As a famous alumnus once said, ‘name your sources’ with regards NY RFC. I’ll send the info on to my bro.

As for League at the Red Bull Arena. I think it’s an utter biatch to get to which may put off some floating voters.

John Layfield himself, who is a major driver behind the NY team. He did tweet a couple of minutes later to confirm autocorrect had got him and he didn't actually mean Garlic Park, but this one had the info on it.

Given the turn-outs that Houston and NOLA are getting and with the fact there's be a team close by in Ontario (not to mention New York will be a likely destination city for away fans to make a weekend of it), you wonder whether 2k is a little bit small. Wonder if they'll be allowed to erect temporary stands to boost it for big games?

Hope you're right on the Red Bull Arena. Considering the football team only gets 20k, you'd have to say the league side's ambition of 10k in their first season is a tad ambitious. Garlic Park is proper New York, which you'd hope would draw in a few floating voters.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

And New York are definitely getting their act together, with a full slate of friendly games planned and their stadium confirmed as Gaelic Park (a GAA stadium in the Bronx of 2k capacity).

rugby league have.......nominated New York as an expansion city to join the British leagues in 2019[/url].........They are due to play in the 25k Red Bull Arena

Puja

As a famous alumnus once said, ‘name your sources’ with regards NY RFC. I’ll send the info on to my bro.

As for League at the Red Bull Arena. I think it’s an utter biatch to get to which may put off some floating voters.

John Layfield himself, who is a major driver behind the NY team. He did tweet a couple of minutes later to confirm autocorrect had got him and he didn't actually mean Garlic Park, but this one had the info on it.

Given the turn-outs that Houston and NOLA are getting and with the fact there's be a team close by in Ontario (not to mention New York will be a likely destination city for away fans to make a weekend of it), you wonder whether 2k is a little bit small. Wonder if they'll be allowed to erect temporary stands to boost it for big games?

Hope you're right on the Red Bull Arena. Considering the football team only gets 20k, you'd have to say the league side's ambition of 10k in their first season is a tad ambitious. Garlic Park is proper New York, which you'd hope would draw in a few floating voters.

Puja

Cheers, Mod. Do the NYC team have a website. Can’t find one for love nor money.

Edit: that’ll be because they don’t have a website. My brother is away for the first match - skiing in the Rockies, the **** - but will definitely be attending as many matches as he can.

[rowan]

As a famous alumnus once said, ‘name your sources’ with regards NY RFC. I’ll send the info on to my bro.

As for League at the Red Bull Arena. I think it’s an utter biatch to get to which may put off some floating voters.

John Layfield himself, who is a major driver behind the NY team. He did tweet a couple of minutes later to confirm autocorrect had got him and he didn't actually mean Garlic Park, but this one had the info on it.

Given the turn-outs that Houston and NOLA are getting and with the fact there's be a team close by in Ontario (not to mention New York will be a likely destination city for away fans to make a weekend of it), you wonder whether 2k is a little bit small. Wonder if they'll be allowed to erect temporary stands to boost it for big games?

Hope you're right on the Red Bull Arena. Considering the football team only gets 20k, you'd have to say the league side's ambition of 10k in their first season is a tad ambitious. Garlic Park is proper New York, which you'd hope would draw in a few floating voters.

Puja

Cheers, Mod. Do the NYC team have a website. Can’t find one for love nor money.

Edit: that’ll be because they don’t have a website. My brother is away for the first match - skiing in the Rockies, the **** - but will definitely be attending as many matches as he can.

Is this what you're looking for? http://www.newyorkrugby.nyc/

[Mellsblue]

John Layfield himself, who is a major driver behind the NY team. He did tweet a couple of minutes later to confirm autocorrect had got him and he didn't actually mean Garlic Park, but this one had the info on it.

Given the turn-outs that Houston and NOLA are getting and with the fact there's be a team close by in Ontario (not to mention New York will be a likely destination city for away fans to make a weekend of it), you wonder whether 2k is a little bit small. Wonder if they'll be allowed to erect temporary stands to boost it for big games?

Hope you're right on the Red Bull Arena. Considering the football team only gets 20k, you'd have to say the league side's ambition of 10k in their first season is a tad ambitious. Garlic Park is proper New York, which you'd hope would draw in a few floating voters.

Puja

Cheers, Mod. Do the NYC team have a website. Can’t find one for love nor money.

Edit: that’ll be because they don’t have a website. My brother is away for the first match - skiing in the Rockies, the **** - but will definitely be attending as many matches as he can.

Is this what you're looking for? http://www.newyorkrugby.nyc/

Doesn’t look like the MLR team to me. In replies to the above tweet, the guy behind it says the website isn’t up and running yet.

[Puja]

Cheers, Mod. Do the NYC team have a website. Can’t find one for love nor money.

Edit: that’ll be because they don’t have a website. My brother is away for the first match - skiing in the Rockies, the **** - but will definitely be attending as many matches as he can.

For certain values of website, yes: https://rugbyunitedny.com

They've got a few games organised - I understand they're doing home and away vs Ontario (presumably in Toronto) and also against Boston. So there'll be a few travellable away games too in the first "exhibition season" before they join the league proper in 2019.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Cheers, Mod. Do the NYC team have a website. Can’t find one for love nor money.

Edit: that’ll be because they don’t have a website. My brother is away for the first match - skiing in the Rockies, the **** - but will definitely be attending as many matches as he can.

For certain values of website, yes: https://rugbyunitedny.com

They've got a few games organised - I understand they're doing home and away vs Ontario (presumably in Toronto) and also against Boston. So there'll be a few travellable away games too in the first "exhibition season" before they join the league proper in 2019.

Puja

Cheers. I’ll forward on.

[rowan]

NYC will play at Gaelic Park: