Major League Rugby 2019 Season: Week 2 Power Rankings
February 8, 2019The Major League Rugby 2019 season continued with three big matches in Week 2. Team depth was tested as many key players were unavailable due to the Americas Rugby Championship occurring that same weekend. A multitude of players stepped up and gave us another exciting weekend of rugby. Here are The Fan Verdict’s MLR power rankings after two weeks of play:
1. NOLA Gold (2-0 | 10pts)
Last week ranking: 3rd
Week 2 result: Win 40-31 (vs.GLE)
The NOLA gold through week 2, rise quickly and take over the top spot in the MLR power rankings. NOLA continued to showcase their high-powered offense highlighted by their lethal back line play. In the previous week against the Arrows, the Gold emphasized moving the ball quickly sideline to sideline. But, in this week’s game plan, their backs showed off their versatility and were able to effectively create holes through the middle with dynamic and hard running lines. NOLA has an ability to quickly flip the pitch by creating big runs on explosive plays. However, they do tend to lift their foot off the gas pedal defensively in later stages allowing Glendale, like the Arrows last week, a chance at getting back in the game. Looking ahead, their offense will be tested by a strong Seattle Seawolves side in Week 3 and will need to show up on defense for a full 80 minutes if they hope to get the win. Regardless, the NOLA Gold’s explosive offense, that has scored more than 36 points in the past two games, has so far proved it can carry them to the top of the league.
Week 3 matchup: vs. Seattle Seawolves
2. Seattle Seawolves (1-1 | 5pts)
Last week ranking: 1st
Week 2 result: Loss 17-13 (@SDL)
After a hot start in Week 1, the Seattle Seawolves take a step back both in performance and in the power rankings with their loss to the San Diego Legion. Horrible weather conditions did play a major part in their Week 2 bout against the Legion which made it hard to assess their play. As expected, the match was messy and filled with handling errors. However, what was concerning was their lack of adaptability in their game plan to the poor conditions. Despite the weather, Seattle tried to find open space by moving the ball across the park. Sticking to their usual style of play combined with the bad weather made them susceptible to handling errors, that prevented them from building phases and maintaining possession. It was also difficult for them to utilize a transition game that made them so successful in the previous week. However, when Seattle was able to overcome the conditions and move the ball successfully, glimmers of last week’s dangerous team in open space showed. It is understood that too much should not be taken from this match as it is obvious the wet weather played a huge role but, they will have to come out with a better performance this week to remain high in the rankings. They hope to bounce back in what should be a much cleaner match against the NOLA Gold in New Orleans that may decide who tops the league next week.
Week 3 matchup: @NOLA Gold
3. Glendale Raptors (0-2 | 2pts)
Last week ranking: 2nd
Week 2 result: Loss 40-31 (@NOLA)
The Glendale Raptors in just their first two games of their 2019 campaign already have more losses than they had all last season. In contrast to their Week 1 match, Glendale struggled to build phases and maintain possession. Their performance was riddled with handling errors that interrupted their flow of play and made it difficult for them to get anything going. However, in later parts of the game when Glendale got into the groove of things, they moved the ball quickly and started to dominate possession. They began to look like the same lethal team they were in the previous week that controlled most parts game. Ultimately though, it was too little too late. The Raptors are still a strong side that just looked off this week but, they do not have much room for error if they want to keep up with the top teams in the league. Luckily, they have time during their bye week to reflect and work on getting back to full form in hopes of attaining their first win of the season when they return to action.
Week 3 matchup: Bye
4. Rugby United New York (1-0 | 4pts)
Last week ranking: 4th
Week 2 result: Bye
Rugby United New York continue their long break, having two bye weeks in a row. They opened the season with a win over the San Diego Legion, largely attributed to strong ball carrier support and dynamic support lines off the ball. RUNY was able to create an ample amount of scoring opportunities but sometimes failed to capitalize with late phase play mistakes and handling errors. RUNY will continue to utilize the second half of their long break to improve and adjust to MLR competition.
Week 3 matchup: Bye
5. San Diego Legion (1-1 | 5pts)
Last week ranking: 5th
Week 2 result: Win 17-13 (vs.SEA)
The San Diego Legion bounce back from a Week 1 loss to beat the defending MLR champions, Seattle Seawolves. It was a game that was clearly affected by poor conditions which made it hard to assess play. However, it was obvious the Legion were more effective in the wet weather with a game style that minimized errors. San Diego kept the ball tight, focused on building phases and dominated the possession. They supported the ball well to prevent turnovers at the breakdown that Seattle are so well known for causing. Their smash mouth old school rugby play style combined with their solid set piece, proved to be successful in the wet weather. However, like in Week 1, their anxiousness and lack of discipline late in the game gave Seattle signs of life. San Diego will have to learn how to finish strong if they want to continue their winning ways. Regardless of the horrible weather, give credit to a Legion side that definitely feels good pulling out a win over one of the league’s top teams.
Week 3 matchup: vs. Houston SaberCats
6. Utah Warriors (1-0 | 4pts)
Last week ranking: N/A
Week 2 result: Win 17-9 (@AUS)
The Utah Warriors start off their 2019 MLR campaign with a win against Austin Elite Rugby. The Warriors showcased their ability to run hard into contact with good support and dynamic running lines off the first receiver that opened gaps in the defense. They were methodical on offense, showing patience and an adept ability to build phases which frequently caused frustration for the Austin Elite. Utah also had a powerful maul that was a key part of this win. However, they struggled with their line-outs and will have to improve on their success to utilize their strong maul going forward. The Warriors also had trouble receiving kicks with pressure and had a hard time catching the ball on the full. The Warriors will be happy coming away with the win in their first match of 2019 but, understand they have much to improve on and will use the next week off to get better.
Week 3 matchup: Bye
7. Toronto Arrows (0-1 | 2pts)
Last week ranking: 6th
Week 2 result: Bye
The Toronto Arrows had a bye week to reflect and improve after being welcomed to the league with a loss to the NOLA Gold. In Week 1, they relied heavily on their forward play to move up and down the field but struggled to build phases early in the game. The Arrows had a hard time moving the ball through more than two players hands and often struggled to get it out wide. However, once they were able to build phases, they were able to move the ball well down the field and finally get it out wide to space. The Arrows will look to get their first franchise MLR win after having ample time to prepare for their Week 3 matchup against a struggling Austin Elite team.
Week 3 matchup: @Austin Elite Rugby
8. Houston SaberCats (1-0 | 2pts)
Last week ranking: 8th
Week 2 result: N/A
The Houston SaberCats had a bye week to dry off and recover from their wet Week 1 match. The SaberCats last week were not able to establish a continuity and struggled to keep the ball in hand. Their Texas neighbors continue to help them as in addition to Austin’s lack of discipline that gave them the win in week 1, the Elite’s poor Week 2 performance pushes the SaberCats out of the bottom of the rankings. Houston are determined to prove they can win and move up the power rankings on their own this week against the San Diego Legion.
Week 3 matchup: @San Diego Legion
9. Austin Elite Rugby (0-2 | 1pt)
Last week ranking: 7th
Week 2 result: Loss 17-9 (vs.UTA)
The Austin Elite fall to the bottom of the league this week. They got a taste of their own medicine, unable to get past the try line this week against the Utah Warriors. It was a night defined by missed chances for the Elite, having ample opportunity deep in Warriors territory to put points on the board but failed to capitalize. They struggled to move the ball quickly and get the ball out wide into space. After a somewhat lackluster performance in the previous week, this is the wrong direction they want to be headed in. They will be disappointed in their performance and will hope to get in the win column against the Toronto Arrows this week.
Week 3 matchup: vs. Toronto Arrows
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