Episodes
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EP 134: 2022 All MLR Awards
Pete sits down while Dan is off getting deals done with all five of 2022's All-MLR individual Awardees. Beaudein Waaka discusses his banner year and how things changed for himself and the Free Jacks. Brendon O'Connor discusses his year and the title run with Rugby New York. Billy Meakes talks…
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EP 133: The Eliminator
Dan and Pete review the landscape of MLR following the Eliminator round. They discuss the mental aspects around preparing for a game on short notice as a player when you believe your season is done. They then look ahead to the Conference Championships examining the strengths and weaknesses of the...
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EP 132: Living with Ratlers and Chasing Rugby balls with Johan Momsen
Johan Momsen joins Pete to discuss his journey as a Rugby player in the United States over the past three seasons with Rugby ATL. He digs into the coaching change and how the squad used the adversity to go forward and embrace the cultural foundation that had been established under Scott Lawrence....
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EP131: Performing on the edge with Malon Al Jiboori
Description- Malon Al Jiboori rose to prominence in the US scene playing for Lindenwood University rising through the age grade systems as a US U20, Collegiate All-American, and eventually achieving his Eagles debut. He made his Eagles 7s debut in 2016 and would make nine appearances on the HSBC…
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EP130: Returning Home and Finding his way in New York with Benjamin Bonasso
Benjamin Bonasso was born in Connecticut but grew up in Argentina. He sits down with Pete on the decision to come back to a home he hadn't really known to well and the process in which he went through to play for New York. First hoping to join the SaberCats his path led to New York when Greg...
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EP129: Flourishing on Venice Beach with Billy Meakes
Billy Meakes turned into form in 2021, following an MLR Championship run in the Giltinies inaugural season he returned to play for Australia 7s in Dubai. For 2022, he hasn't stopped from where he left and continued to build on the 2021 MLR Back of the Year
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EP128: The Roundtable with Cowboy and Waaka
Beaudein Waaka and Mark O'Keeffe join the show for a round table discussion of the 2022 season as both of their respective teams are currently leading their conference table. With a tough match against LA just done Mark discusses the end of season push the Gilgronis must make. Beaudein sits down…
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EP127: Finding Rugby in College with Nate Sylvia
Description - Nate Sylvia found rugby late in life. After playing football growing up and attempting to walk on at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a defensive linemen, he wanted to find something. He discusses how his dad once thought of playing Rugby and said that Nathan needed to play for him. Over...
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EP126: The Business End and Playoff Picture
Dan and James sit down to examine the first twelve weeks of the MLR season and the key performances that shaped the round. They also look ahead to build the playoff picture.
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EP125: New England's Farming Flanker with Cam Davidowicz
Dan and Pete sit down with New England's Cam Davidowicz, a player that took the long way and earned every chance he got. Having played college rugby at Plymouth State University, he would later play for NE's first coach Josh Smith at Mystic River. In 2021, he joined the Free Jacks as a trainee...
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EP124: From Wrestling to Flanking with Cory Daniel of Old Glory DC
Description- Dan and Pete sit down with Cory Daniel of Old Glory DC who took the long route to find Rugby. After Wrestling at a high level at UNC, he wanted to find the next thing. His coach knew Dan Payne and he attended a camp to identify crossovers in 2019 which led to a contract offer from...
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EP123: The Arrows Return to Toronto w/ Ross Braude
Description- Ross Braude joins the show after Toronto's return home to play their first match in the city in over a thousand days. He discusses his rise from Grey College in South Africa and the opportunity of being Canadian and the chance that Rugby Canada granted him. His discusses his journey…
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EP122: Building a Foundation in New York with Connor Buckley
Connor Buckley was on the board for several teams in the 2020 draft. His heart was truly with New York, he discusses the process with other teams. To his luck, NY traded their picks in 2020 only to see Buckley available and they snapped him up immediately as the first undrafted player signing in...
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EP121: Honing His Craft Ft Tavite Lopeti
Tavite Lopeti's trajectory began rapidly during the summer of 2021 heading into the draft. Although a highly touted player, he quietly went about his business seeking development opportunities. Shortly after the USA Rugby National Club 7s Championship he got the call to join the US Eagles for…
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EP120: The Start for Draftee Emmanuel Albert of the Houston SaberCats
Emmanuel Albert began playing Rugby towards the latter half of High School, wasn't on too many recruiting lists but found out about Lindenwood University after first getting recruited by Lindenwood-Belleville. Things changed rapidly for him while playing for Lions as he rose to become the best...
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EP119- What Keeps Ma'a Nonu Playing
Ma’a Nonu, effectively the Tom Brady of the Sport. Ma’a Nonu has seen it all from multiple World Cup wins, European and Top 14 Championships. Although he returned to France in 2021 after playing for SD in 2020, he’s back and ready to be a huge piece of San Diego’s resurgence. Rugby 101- Pete...
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Building the Dallas Jackals From Scratch Ft Chris Pennell
Chris Pennell was a one club man appearing over 200 times for the Worcester Warriors, but instead of retiring, he chose to join the expansion Dallas Jackals. Dan and Pete sit down with Pennell to see what makes him tick and why he chose the opportunity of joining an upstart expansion franchise in...
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EP117: Evolving and Joining the Expansion Los Angeles Giltinis Ft Matt Giteau
Matt Giteau, A Wallaby Centurion, 3-Time European Champion, One Time Top 14 Champion, and now MLR Champion. What is it that drew Giteau to North America and the shores of Los Angeles to help build the foundations of an MLR Expansion club in the Giltinis? Giteau discusses with Dan Power the...
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EP116: Chasing Rugby Ft Andy Ellis
Andy Ellis, has been someone who's been willing to grow and invest in the game away from home. He spent 7 years helping guide the Kobelco Steelers in the Japanese Top League and sinking roots into Japan. And now he's come to New York to live full time and help build the club. He discusses the...
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EP115: 2022 The Rise of Rugby ft Ryan Patterson and Nate Augspurger
Looking to 2022 and beyond. Ryan Patterson, current Chair of MLR Board of Governors, has been a driving force behind USA Rugby’s bid for the 2031 World Cup. Patterson and Pete Steinberg sit down to discuss the growth of MLR and the reasons for pursuing the RWC bid. Long time San Diego player and…
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EP114: 2021 The Return Ft. Adam Freier and Luke White
Focusing on MLR’s return and expansion into the LA Market with CEO Adam Freier. Freier discusses identifying the constraints of kicking off their season in California while also needing to figure out a place to train with restrictions severely limiting and ending up in Maui which was a major...
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EP113: 2020 - The Lost Season
Touching on 2020 season, with a behind the scenes look at the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic marking a make or break type moment for Major League Rugby. George Killebrew sits down with Pete Steinberg giving an inside look on the decisions that went into cancelling the 2020 season. Killebrew also...
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2019 - First Expansion Season Ft. Bill Webb and Lucas Rumball
In our second episode, Dan and Pete look back on the 2019 season. MLR's first expansion year and the difficulties that came with creating a cross-border league. Toronto Arrows Owner Bill Webb joins the show and discusses the Arrows origins and the foundation that led to the decision to seek...
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2018 - The Beginnings Ft Kimball Kjar and Saia Uhila
Beginnings of MLR. Featuring Utah Warriors CEO and Governor Kimball Kjar who has been involved with the league from the beginning when it was “an idea on a cocktail napkin” sits down to discuss the league's foundations and bringing professional rugby to Utah. Warriors Original Saia Uhila who has...
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EP110: Year End Wrap Up, Changes, and a Christmas Jingle
Dan and Pete catch up after some Thanksgiving Turkey finding out the best tips and tricks for putting up Christmas Lights ahead of Santa's arrival. With that we wrap up some presents that teams have been delivering to their fans in players extensions and signings ahead of season five. Heading…
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EP109: 2022 Major League Rugby Schedule Breakdown
Dan and Pete sit down to discuss the 2022 Major League Rugby Schedule and the implications it has for teams on their path to the MLR Shield. Pete identifies those implications and their impact during the professor's breakdown. Canada finished their European tour with a win over Belgium which was...
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EP108: A Conversation with Toronto Arrow #36 Jamie Mackenzie
A lot has happened around the world of Major League Rugby over the past 14 days. Dan and Pete sit down to discuss the transactions and the moves around the league as we inch toward the opening of training camp. Yes, it's that close. Jamie Mackenzie, Les Rouges #387 and Arrow #36, stops by for a...
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USA V. The All Blacks, and a World Cup Bid Ft. Ryan Crotty and Andrew Suniula
On the eve of the US Eagles facing the mighty All Blacks, Dan and James throw it back to 2014 inviting Ryan Crotty and Andrew Suniula onto the show to discuss their head to head match up in the mid-field. Ryan Crotty, All Black #1124, enjoyed his time ahead of their first match against the US in...
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EP106: Americas Qualification for the Rugby World Cup Ft. Chance Wenglewski
Dan's back, just in time for the massive show that covers the latest developments in International Rugby. Dan and Pete sit down to discuss the Rugby World Cup qualification series that have just come to a close that left Canada out of the Rugby World Cup for the first time ever. The US Eagles…
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EP105: USA Eagles World Cup Qualifying Ft. Gary Gold
Gary Gold joins Pete Steinberg and James Paterson to discuss the US successful series against Canada and the looming Uruguay series for Americas 1 seat at the Rugby World Cup. Coach Gold frankly discusses the first match against Canada and the Eagles failure and the subsequent success in Glendale...
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EP 104: USA v. Canada World Cup Qualifiers and the 2021 Season Review
Former US Eagle and MLR Commentator James Paterson joins Pete to catch up following the MLR Championship and 2021 Draft. The first leg of the USA v. CAN qualifying match took place on 4 September and the Canadians proved victorious, the first time in eight years that Canada had defeated the US...
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EP 103 Examining the Draft with First Overall Eric Naposki and #39 Gerald Lowe
Following the second annual Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft Dan and Pete catch up to discuss how the teams did and judge whether selections were used to draft the best talent available or for need in the ages old debate. Number one overall Eric Naposki sits down with Aaron to discuss his…
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EP 102: Looking Back on the 2020 MLR Collegiate Draft With Conner Mooneyham
Dan and Pete look back at the success of the 2020 Major League Rugby Draft, noting the successes of the process providing players an opportunity and connecting the pathway between MLR and the Collegiate game in the US. In 2021 MLR opens the draft to the Canadian University system completing that...
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EP 101: 2021 All-MLR Awards and Finals Recap
After a short break following the MLR Championship Final Dan and Pete return to hand out this season's awards. Mikey Te'o moved to Utah following the shortened season in 2020 and was nothing short of a Game Changer every time he was on the pitch, he is your 2021 MLR Player of the Year. Johan…
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MLR Kickoff 100: Live From The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Dan and Pete go on the road to the LA Memorial Coliseum. MLR Kickoff 100 features LA Head Coach Darren Coleman and Captain Dave Dennis to discuss their path to the final and the work ahead of them. MLR Commissioner George Killebrew discusses the long season and the rousing success that Sunday's...
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EP99: Conference Finals Rugby, It's Just Different Ft. Sama Malolo
With Week 18 drawn to a close Dan and Pete look at the implications the matches had ahead of the Conference Finals. In hard fought matches both Eastern Playoff teams enter the match on Saturday with a loss in their rear view mirror. Utah gain some confidence with a win over LA that pushed them to...
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EP 98: Three's Company, But Who Makes the Crowd? Playoffs In Sight Ft. Johan Momsen
After a rousing win over Los Angeles in Week 16, the Golden Road Warriors fell against Seattle in Week 17 of Season 4. LA, Utah, and Atlanta secure their spots in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. New York gives themselves a leg up in the race for the final spot following their rousing...
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EP97: NOLA Gold Win 4th of July Ft Beaudein Waaka
With the week that celebrated both Canada Day and the United States Independence Day, North American Rugby fans were treated to some epic Rugby over the weekend. NOLA Gold has transformed itself from struggling mid-season to winning games when it almost doesn't make sense. But if you asked the...
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EP 96: Which Team Makes the Playoffs? Ft. Hanco Germishuys
As the days count down to the MLR Final on August 1st, the playoff race has tightened. With Los Angeles and Atlanta likely to be the conferences first seeded teams, who can get 2nd. Week 16 will give the fans a better picture. Dan and Pete break down week 15 and give you the playoff implications…
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EP 95: The MLR Playoff Race is Coming Down to The Wire Ft. Bill Meakes
Week 14 of Major League Rugby saw the Giltinis face major adversity with eleven roster changes following several injuries before kickoff but they pulled out the victory against SD. The Utah Warriors held onto their place in the standings with their victory against New York while opening the door...
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EP 94: MLR's Late Season Spectacles Ft. Dom Akina
Heading into Round 14, Dan and Pete sit down to break down how week 13 of Major League Rugby continues to shape the ever tightening playoff picture in the East. The West, even with the Giltinis on a Bye seems to have a mostly cleared up with the Warriors and the Gilgronis looking to secure the…
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EP93: Major League Rugby Competitive as Ever Through 12 Weeks Ft. George Killebrew and Joe Pietersen
Through 12 weeks of the season, Major League Rugby remains the most competitive league on the field globally. The parity from the top to the bottom of the Eastern Conference will take a Battle Hardened team into the final. A healthy and resurgent San Diego is putting pressure on Austin and Utah....
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EP 92: It's Moving Week in Major League Rugby Ft. Mike Te'o
Following week 11 the race for the playoffs in the East continues to tighten as every team remains in the hunt. Dan and Pete break down this past week's action while taking a close examination of the Eastern Conference playoff outlook. Mike Te'o has been a fixture of US Rugby since he burst onto...
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EP 91 The Fight to Win the MLR East Remains Open Ft. Jason Robertson
The Major League Rugby Eastern Conference remains the most competitive race in MLR with only ten points separating last place Old Glory and first place Rugby ATL. The East continues to show it is the dominant conference with Eastern teams traveling and winning against their Western conference...
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EP90: Major League Rugby in SoFi Stadium Ft. Angus Cottrell
Week 9 of Major League Rugby action ends as San Diego Legion and Old Glory DC find new leases on life in their respective wins at the mid-way point. Major League Rugby sees the first Rugby match played in SoFi Stadium in a grudge match between the Los Angeles Giltinis and the Utah Warriors, with...
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EP89: NY Takes Down the Giltinis Ft Aston Fortuin
Dan and Pete break down Week 8's action with New York proving victorious over the Giltinis in a hard effort. The East showed how strong it could be over the west in week 8 with only the Utah Warriors in the inter conference play coming away unscathed. Aston Fortuin joins Dan Power to discuss his...
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EP88: The Lightning of a Giltinis and Free Jacks ride in Los Angeles Ft John Poland
Week 7 is over and the playoff picture in the West is setting up for the Giltinis. Their fitness, their quickness, their physicality, has made them the outright contender for the MLR Shield. But in the East, it's a tough division, it's unknown who will come out on top. But New York sits above the...
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EP 87: The Toronto Arrows Soar and the Gilgronis Are Having a Good Time Ft. Adriaan Carelse
With week 6 wrapped up in the books and teams have settled. Dan and Pete look back on the performances and how they could have gotten them right or wrong. The Toronto Arrows show how hard the Eastern Conference is. The Gilgronis continued their longest winning streak in the history of the…
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EP86: MLR "Pre-Season" Is Over, It's Time to Play! Ft. Patrick Parfrey
With the limited run up to the season due to various constraints, Dan and Pete knew that the first five weeks of the season would have a "pre-season flair" to them. Now as every side has had the chance to get into Rugby shape we're starting to know some things about where the 2021 season is…
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EP85: The Houston SaberCats Bare Their Teeth Ft. POW Dan Hollinshead
In week four of the 2021 season, things started to shake out. Coaches made key selections that drove the performance of their sides. The Professor discusses selections in his tactics session and how important those decisions were. Teams that needed wins to right the ship and get back on course…
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