US-Centric Teams in Pro Rugby; How Are They Doing?
US-Centric Teams in Pro Rugby; How Are They Doing?
Let's take a look at the latest from two mostly USA-based professional teams in action this spring.
As reported on GRR, The American Raptors changed coaches in what appears to be a move made over team performance.
Former Eagle Mose Timoteo was brought in: Precipitous Coaching Change for American Raptors after 0-3 Start
The result? This past weekend the Raptors won their first game of the season, beating Cobras Brasil 29-21. Captain Diego Fortuny, Mo Vainikolo (Maui RFC), Jake Hidalgo (Indiana University), and Aki Pulu (Tempe U19s) all scored tries.
Was this the result of Timoteo taking over? Maybe. It's worth noting that the Raptors entered the game last in the Super Rugby Americans at 0-3, just behind Cobras and Selknam (who were 1-2). So you can add in the factors of one of the weaker teams playing on the road, and having played the week before. The Raptors, meanwhile, had enjoyed a bye week to come back home (and install a new coach), and rest from all the travel.
So it was a good rebound for the Raptors, but it was a relatively smooth corner to turn.
Anthem RC followed up their opening loss to New England with a fairly competitive loss to NOLA Gold 34-19 on the road. This past week they were run past by Dallas 68-28.
Ty Al-Jiboori scored tries in the first two games. Against Dallas the game is interesting because the game stats—tackles, carries, penalties—show no indication as to who actually won that game. The only thing one could point to was penalties and cards—Dallas had more of both by a significant margin. Dallas even game up a penalty try. So it seems like the Jackals just had a more "whatever means necessary" approach.
Still it was nice to see former Tennessee star Josh Shetler get his first MLR try.
So Anthem is 0-3, which is the same record for expansion teams Miami and Los Angeles.
One interesting note: USA Men's 15s Head Coach Scott Lawrence is tracking minutes played by USA players in Major League Rugby. After Round 1, American minutes were up as a percentage of the league's minutes, from about 34% to about 42%. But almost a quarter of those US minutes were from Anthem.
Also, Americans account for about 25% of minutes played at either halfback position (Canadians at 8%).
So look at it another way, in the rest of the league US-qualified players get about 35% of the minutes, but with Anthem they get closer to 100%.
