Major League Rugby 2019 Season: Week 4 Power Rankings
February 19, 2019Week 4 of the Major League Rugby 2019 season was filled with dramatic and exciting play that has caused the biggest shift in the power rankings so far this season. All nine teams have finally played at least two matches making the league’s competitive landscape increasingly clear. After another exciting weekend of rugby, here is the Fan Verdict’s MLR power rankings after four weeks of play:
1. NOLA Gold (3-1)
Last week ranking: 1st
Week 4 result: Loss 27-24 (vs.RUNY)
Despite the loss to a strong New York squad, the NOLA Gold maintain the top spot in this week’s power rankings. This is only the first loss of the season for the Gold, who have had terrific performances up to this point that cannot be ignored. RUNY came into this match fresh after returning from a long two-week bye that gave them plenty of time to prepare. In contrast, the Gold entered the game against New York having played three straight weeks against tough competition without rest. Nonetheless, NOLA will not use any of these excuses and will feel like they let one slip away. They left points on the board, going 2-for-4 on conversions and missing their only penalty kick of the afternoon. With this loss, their separation from the rest of the league that looked to be widening after Week 3, has come to a halt with RUNY chasing close behind. NOLA will finally have their first bye week of the season to recover from the tough loss and get some much needed rest. They will then focus on bouncing back against the Utah Warriors when they return in Week 6.
Week 5 matchup: Bye
2. Rugby United New York (2-0)
Last week ranking: 5th
Week 4 result: Win 27-24 (vs.NOLA)
Rugby United New York soar up the rankings, after returning from a two-week long bye and serving the NOLA Gold with their first loss of the season. They took full advantage of the time off to prepare for a tough NOLA Gold squad. Unlike the Gold, the kicking game was on for RUNY, with fly-half Cathal Marsh hitting three penalty kicks and two conversions. New York is on a upwards trajectory and seem to have the caliber of talent to take it all this year. The only reason they are not on top this week is because they have yet to face the challenge of back-to-back week play. How will this team perform after a quick turnaround? Their upcoming match against the defending champion, Seattle Seawolves, will answer this question and may prove that Rugby United New York is the real deal.
Week 5 matchup: @ Seattle Seawolves
3. Seattle Seawolves (2-2)
Last week ranking: 2nd
Week 4 result: Win 35-30 (vs.TOR)
The Seattle Seawolves come out victorious in their must-win game against the Toronto Arrows this past weekend. The only reason they fall a spot is due to the unignorable Week 4 performance by New York. Once again, the Seawolves highlighted their lethal open play ability. They also showcased their depth with late-game substitutes that made a big impact in the game. The Seawolves hope to continue their winning ways but will be tested in their upcoming Week 5 match against a surging Rugby United New York side.
Week 5 matchup: vs. Rugby United New York
4. San Diego Legion (3-1)
Last week ranking: 4th
Week 4 result: Win 21-10 (vs.UTA)
Once again the San Diego Legion defense steps up big. In all three games that the Legion have won, they have limited their opponents to 13 points or less. However, do not expect San Diego to continue winning in this fashion and will eventually have to figure out how to get offensive output for the entirety of a match. Regardless, so far they have been able to rely on a shutdown defense that is playing at an elite level. San Diego looks to have one of the best defenses in the league and appear to have an easy match next week against the struggling Austin Elite.
Week 5 matchup: @ Austin Elite
5. Glendale Raptors (1-2)
Last week ranking: 3rd
Week 4 result: Win 24-13 (@AUS)
After starting 2019 slow, the Glendale Raptors have finally got their first win of the 2019 season. Albeit against the struggling Austin Elite, this may be the spark they need to return to the level of play seen a year ago when they finished top of the league in regular season play. The Raptors will look to continue their winning ways against a formidable Utah Warriors team next in Week 5.
Week 5 matchup: @ Utah Warriors
6. Toronto Arrows (1-2)
Last week ranking: 7th
Week 4 result: Loss 35-30 (@SEA)
The Toronto Arrows fell to the Seattle Seawolves in what was a highly offensive match in Week 4. The Arrows came out of the gate hot but were unable to close out the game on the defensive side of the ball in the later half of the second frame. It was clear in this match that Toronto lacks fitness and will have to work on extending their high-level of play to the full 80 minutes if they want to come away with the wins against top talent in the league. The Arrows seem to still be adjusting to the intensity of weekly MLR play and will hope to continue improving against the Houston SaberCats in the upcoming week.
Week 5 matchup: @ Houston SaberCats
7. Utah Warriors (1-1)
Last week ranking: 6th
Week 4 result: Loss 21-10 (@SDL)
The Utah Warriors took a step back in Week 4, after opening their season with a win in Week 2. The patience and methodical offense seen in their first match was not evident in their match against a strong San Diego Legion side. Albeit against a strong defensive San Diego unit, the Warriors were not able to put points on the board. However, give credit to Utah’s second half defense that limited the Legion to just 3 points. Ultimately, it was their offense that could not pull through. It will be the battle of the Rocky Mountains next week, as they look to get back in the win column against the Glendale Raptors in what will be their first home game of the season.
Week 5 matchup: vs. Glendale Raptors
8. Houston SaberCats (1-1)
Last week ranking: 8th
Week 4 result: Bye
The Houston SaberCats had this week off to recover from their heart-breaking loss to San Diego in Week 3. Houston has played well defensively but have struggled on the offensive side of the ball, only scoring one try in their first two games. Going forward, Houston will have to improve the offensive side of the ball to alleviate the pressure and ease the load that their defense must carry. They return from their bye in Week 5 to take on the Toronto Arrows.
Week 5 matchup: vs. Toronto Arrows
9. Austin Elite (0-4)
Last week ranking: 9th
Week 4 result: Loss 24-13 (vs.GLE)
After Week 4, the Austin Elite are still looking for their first win having lost four in-a-row to start 2019 season. Once again, the Elite struggled on offense, unable to capitalize in crucial moments and turning the ball over too frequently. Too many times the Elite were deep in Glendale territory and were unable to come away with any points. The Austin Elite continue to struggle and hope to snap the league’s longest losing streak in Week 5 against the San Diego Legion.
Week 5 matchup: vs. San Diego Legion
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