MLR Rising Camp Diary: It's Heating Up
MLR Rising Camp Diary: It's Heating Up
The MLR Rising camp is in its second full day and third day overall; here's a look at what's been going on.
On Monday the players arrived and got acquainted, with the key activity of the day being some meetings. The central focus of the main meeting was to establish expectations for both players on one side and the coaches, scouts, and observers on the other.
Becoming a professional player requires a professional mindset, the players were told, and if that hasn't started yet, it starts now. Players were urged by Coach Josh Macy to "be a player we want to root for."
But on the other hand, players have to look at the reality of Major League Rugby and professional rugby. Not all drafted players see the field. Some need time, still, to break into the lineup. Others perhaps deserve more time but teams are content with a sure thing rather than taking a risk on a rookie or a two-year player. Some just don't work out, or the situation isn't right for them.
Regardless, playing time for American players and for drafted players has increased from 2023 to 2024 (as per not only the league but third-party observers), and that's not just because the Anthem team is USA-focused. Four players drafted last year player more than 800 minutes (10 games' worth) this season in Major League Rugby. In 2023 that number was probably one, although might have been as many as three (we have numbers but are working to find independent confirmation on them so that's why we're being so general). Of the 78 players drafted over the last two years, about half have not played in MLR at all.
So all that is to say that the players were given a message that focused on how difficult it is to break into the league, and how hard work has to be part of the equation.
Tuesday broke hot and humid and the players were put through the wringer in the morning. Speed, explosiveness, and fitness tests, interspersed with interviews with media (including GRR) in hot, humid weather tested the players on a number of fronts.
Arkansas State scrumhalf Aidan Ridgway was the fastest in the bronco fitness test, followed closely by Lindenwood flanker Calvin Ihrig, UMW flyhalf Cale White, Santa Clara scrumhalf Emmanuel Lai, Ohio State fullback Hunter Simons, and NDC wing Ashawnty Staples.
Elon University center Michael Sanderson, who is one of a small number of lower-division players, had the best vertical leap, followed by Michigan State flanker/prop Miles Bell, Lindenwood lock Le'Donn Mathis, and Simons from OSU. Sanderson and Bell are both recent converts to rugby from other sports, notably football.
A very flushed George O'Brien was working hard at scrumhalf. @AZWildcatRugby pic.twitter.com/6CSENFAQgK
— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) July 10, 2024
Two of the best bronco times talk about the opening @usmlr Rising scrimmage. @ASTATERUGBY pic.twitter.com/77NDHWjZhf
— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) July 10, 2024
Five players broke 5.0 seconds in the 40-meters: Sanderson, Alex Park (Texas A&M flyhalf), Brendan Bennett (UTSA wing), Aaron Juma (Wheeling flanker), and the fastest, University of Ottawa flyhalf/fullback Jamie Armstrong. Armstrong has impressed in early live sessions also with his pace and his counter-attacking ability.
With the heat rising into the 90s the afternoon session was moved to the evening, and the players finally got to scrimmage and work on some key skills. They officially split into teams for the upcoming game on Friday. The backs got some kicking work in with former Eagle Will Hooley, and worked some open-field sessions. The forwards got a scrum tutorial from Andrew Cook—we asked Cook how much of his coaching was channeling longtime Saint Mary's scrum legend Johnny Everett and he said 'about 15 years' worth'—and lineouts with Josh Macy.
Wednesday featured more specific team training in a long morning session, with Tui Osborne and Andrew Cook leading the Black Team and Josh Macy and Ben Cima leading the Red Team on separate fields. The players then adjourned for a short but inspiring talk from USA Senior Men's 15s Head Coach Scott Lawrence, a talk that even had the Canadians buzzing.
The heat has been rough a couple of players, despite outstanding hydration support from the University of Mary Washington, have struggled with it. However, they've been attended to and expect to be back at it after some care. We do have one injury and will update on that.
