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MLR to stage NFL style draft, as Raptors walk out on the league
By Adam McQueen
The MLR is preparing for major changes as they look ahead to their fourth professional season - the fledgling competition recently announced the creation of their inaugural collegiate draft set to take place in June.
The draft will commence over a two day period, on June 13 and 14. It will only be open to collegiate players based out of the United States and the players must have played three years of college rugby or be at least 21 years-old.
The draft will be at least four rounds and the selection process will be determined by the standings at the end of the 2020 season. The MLR halted play in early March, before canceling the entire season after five games. New franchises Dallas and Los Angeles, who are slated to join the league in 2021, will get the first and second selections.
Establishing a draft system to bolster the league with more young, domestic players is essential as the MLR expands.
“Collegiate rugby has a rich history in the United States with over 900 active teams across the country. The immense talent in our Colleges and Universities has shown itself over the past three seasons and is only poised to grow. We are truly excited about creating this pathway for the next generation of MLR players,” said MLR Commissioner, George Killebrew on the league's announcement.
However, the Colorado Raptors will not take part in the event as one of the founding franchises announced their withdrawal from the league. Finalists in the inaugural campaign, the Raptors sputtered last season and had middling results in 2020 as other franchises injected more talent into their squads. Colorado brought in Rene Ranger and Digby Ioane this year, however, Ioane never ended up suiting up for the team.
The Raptors withdrawal means that there are now currently 13 teams competing in the fourth season of MLR.
Despite the adverse impact COVID-19 had on pushing USA Rugby towards bankruptcy, the cancellation of the 2020 season will allow the MLR to roll over those production costs slated for this year into 2021. The inclusion of two new expansion franchises, plus the new vacancy that Colorado's departure offers, should also help provide more immediate financial stability moving forward.
Potential 2020 MLR Draft order
- Dallas/LA
- Dallas/LA
- Houston
- Austin
- New England
- Seattle
- Atlanta
- Utah
- New York
- NOLA
- Old Glory
- Toronto
- San Diego
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Latest Comments
Yes, I agree, following this logic a Black Fern should’ve won it.
I haven’t followed enough the women’s 7s to state if there wasn’t too many BF players who were sharing the performances, while in the Australian team just one player outshone the others. Just like Savea’s win last year, with too many SA players having great performances.
What might have cost Argentina 7s at least a nomination or the title was that their best player Moneta got injured at the worst moment of the season.
Go to comments9.5 for BB? Show some respect to Italy & one would have to go back a decade to even consider such a BB performance.
DMac should be 10 with Roigard who gets to the ruck & plays with speed. For me, when those two are paired, we look threatening. Cortez should be dropped out of ABs & we blood others.
The 12 & 13 is very lost. Caleb certainly grew as a player this year showing a different dimensions in play & wiser decisions. I'd say he has a better ability to adjust to Centre. Reiko is lost & non-effective.
9.5 for BB 🤣🫢🤣 - the ABs need to move past him. He is & always will be at most a bench player. When he had the reins at 10 for RWC & more, he did nothing. This includes Super as well. Mo'unga had his measure all the time. I get tired of constant loyalty. Give those performing a go, as you have in various forwards & see them shine.
We need to use the squads of ABs & ABs XV in tandem to build nice depth is the Boks do
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