Rugby PickEm

Can USA beat Samoa? PNC Preview (ft. HARPO) by Bt, Uncle Johnny, TommyNoPiks & the Rugby PickEm Crew

The MLR Season came and went! It seems like yesterday that teams were kicking off the season in February, yet here we are. We hopped on with FreeJack SUPERFAN and host of the Jack's Rangers podcast Phil Harris. Phil will be in attendance Saturday with his skullet and usual intensity as his beloved Free Jacks look to win their 3rd straight title. If you're in the New England area and don't have plans Saturday, get your ass to Rhode Island! Enjoy. PICKEM!

Some old audio from the RWC in France back in 2023. What a time to be alive! We were lucky enough to grab tickets to Ireland vs. Romania on Saturday followed by Fiji vs. Wales on Sunday in the opening weekend of an unforgettable RWC. Enjoy. PICKEM!

We've covered the MLR since its inception in 2018. Written all types of articles, in-person match reports and the occasional player interview.... but the focus this year will be asking questions.... After all, asking questions, makes for good dialogue. Carl Sagan said “There is no such thing as a dumb question”. Sagan believed that every question is a way to better understand the world, and that asking questions is important. We're on a mission to find 10 "dumb" questions about Major League Rugby, and peel back the onion a bit. Let's dive into the 2025 season... Can Anthem make the playoffs in year 2? Does 8 out of 11 teams advancing to the playoffs diminish the regular season? Is a New England 3-peat a realistic goal for new(ish) coach Ryan Martin? Is the ESPN+ broadcasting rights a good move for the league? What's the International / Domestic split between the MLR fans? Is S.D. Legion's move from Snap Dragon Stadium to Torero Stadium a good move or a regression? Who's the baddest dude in the MLR? Will there be a revival of both the New York & Toronto franchises in the coming years leading up to 2031 RWC? Are the new MLR scrum laws good for the growth of the game? Who will win the MLR shield in 2025? HARPO'S Spreadz: (Winners in BOLD) For context, HARPO was our first "boots on the group" reporter when we started in 2018. He hates technology, and loves to spend his summer's away from crowds in his "alone zone" ... but he always sends us his week to week spreadz and winners. Old Glory D.C. +6.5 @ Miami Sharks -6.5 Anthem Rugby Club +17.5 @ NOLA Gold -17.5 Chicago Hounds +8.5 @ Houston SaberCats -8.5 New England Freejacks -22.5 @ L.A. RFC +22.5 Seattle Seawolves +3.5 @ San Diego Legion -3.5 PICKEM! Posted by Rug

The 2024 CRC's did not disappoint. A uniquely American tournament format featured a "win and advance" style of bracket, and the excitement that came with the high stakes was exhilarating. Premier Division - 1st Place: Wheeling Back in January, Aaron Juma and Joe Iye led the Great Lakes NCR all star team to a cup final in Round Rock Texas. The two players dominance continued this weekend as Wheeling blew through their Saturday & Sunday competition. Juma is ready for the next level, and should be considered for a PR 7's contract this summer. With 10 players from Zimbabwe and South Africa coach Michael Geibel shows he can recruit internationals aplenty, fielding an extremely competitive collegiate side. Will the college game ever have a cap on internationals? For now it comes down to how many scholarships you have and how hard you're willing to recruit. 2nd Place: Kutztown At just 5'7", 155lbs, Chris Cleland is once again in dominant form. Last year's tournament MVP for Mount St. Mary's is now suiting up for the Kutztown Bears and showing size doesn't really matter in 7's. The flyer is excellent at stretching defenses in open space, just gassing teams off scrum set piece. Would winning back to back championships with two different schools be a first for the new age "transfer portal" collegiate era? Kutztown fielded a team with an English / American blend. Four players from England and one from Scotland mix with American recruits from Pennsylvania and Georgia. The Kutztown program has been elite for the better part of a decade and won the entire tournament in 2022. 3rd Place: Babson First of, let's just take a step back and realize that Babson (a small college) moved from the small college division ALL THE WAY up to the Premier bracket. That's a massive leap in competition, but they never flinched and clearly belong with the top competition. Brice Muller stands out at 6'6" 230 lbs, the Fairfield Prep grad has had as big of an impact on a program that a freshman can provide. A pivotal part of Babson's small college XV's championship, he can do it all. Run, pass, tackle, lineout ... he's a jack of all trades and will surely be a force for Babson in his next 3 years. 4th Place: ICCC Dubbed "The United States of Iowa Central" for the weekend, coaches Brent Nelson and Joe Lippert have built a mid-west monster in Fort Dodge Iowa. The Tritons have gotten better year after year and the program's success shows that you don't need a large group of alumni boosters to build a successful program. The majority of their scoring was done by Hlanga Mbela who was carving up defenses throughout the weekend. Noah Champion & Koen Webb created an impact running hard and straight earning the front foot in attack, while the skipper Matt Surles-Davis was ice cold in defense as he chopped down large ball runners all weekend . Division 1 - Louisville blanks North Carolina State 29-0 Division 2 - Maine stuns Georgetown at the death 19-15 Small College - Slippery Rock beats St. Thomas 19-12 In the end, it was an exhilarating Friday and Saturday for the tournament. The women round out the championship rounds on Sunday and hopefully the event will be just as spectacular next year. Special thanks for John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning for hopping on the show. PICKEM!

After winning 14 straight, the defending champs lost at the death in their home opener against rival Old Glory D.C. Jason Robertson was clutch down the stretch and drilled the game winning kick with no time on the clock. It was truly a game winning conversion (they were down 1, not tied), and it silenced a rowdy crowd in Quincy. Not only did Robertson's boot come up clutch, but he facilitated just about all of their tries (as a good fly-half does). This shakes up the "Power Structure" on the Eastern Front (see below). It's going to take more than 1 (1 point) loss to dethrone New England. They've been on a tear, and deserve the benefit of the doubt ... for now. After just 2 weeks (and not nearly enough rugby to make an informed decision), here's the current outlook. 1. NEFJ - one loss won't shake 14 straight wins. 2. NOLA - they've started hot before, but can they stay hot? 3. OGDC - after a week 1 dud, they delivered big on the road. 4. CHICAGO - ran out of oxygen up in Utah. 5. MIAMI - it wasn't "pretty in pink" up in Seattle. 6. ANTHEM - Still just a feel good story as of now. Special thanks to Bozo6 from the Jack's Rangers who came on the to talk everything FreeJacks. PICKEM!

Historical Record: 32-42-3 Week 1 Result: 22-15 loss to Houston Skinny: The Utah Warriors have always been an MLR staple. There's no prettier backdrop than the snow kissed mountains just west of Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Utah. The Warriors will be missing legend Lance Williams as he pursues Olympic dreams with the Eagle 7's, but they won't lack veteran leadership. Paul Lasike and Angus McClellan return, and the grandstands in Utah will be begging for a home playoff game come July. Have you Unleashed Your Inner Warrior?

Historical Record: 43-33-1 Week 1 Result: 25-19 win against San Diego Skinny: The Orcas in the Pacific Northwest have been known to be some of the most intelligent hunters in the ocean. The rugby team also knows how to hunt down playoff appearances and has posted a 7-2 playoff record over their history. They have only missed the playoffs once in 2021, but coach Alan Clarke has them trending up and ready to feed on any aquatic mammals (or fish) that cross their path. Sam Windsor clocks in for his 7th MLR season, can father time win another title like he did in 2021 with New York? The #HuntForNumber3 continues Saturday night when the Miami Sharks come to town.

Historical Record: 51-25-1 Week 1 Result: 25-19 loss to Seattle Skinny: The team may have some of the last Generation X professional rugby players on the squad, but don't forget that age is just a number. After all, 40's are the new 30's, right? Ma'a Nonu and Matt Giteau want nothing more than the MLR Shield and won't stop until it reaches the sunny shores of Mission Beach. The Legion have won over 66% of their matches as a franchise, but playoff appearances won't be enough this year. It's shield or bust.

Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 32-29 loss vs. Dallas Skinny: Atlanta packs up and moves to the sunny hills of Los Angeles. Coach Steve Brett brings with him the core of the players that won a fair share of games as the RATLers. But just like the phoenix who rose from the ashes, Rugby FCLA arises with vibrant colors! The royal blue and tinge of yellow hits just right. Will this team be an immediate threat in the West? Remains to be seen ... Week 1 showed they can score points, but the last team to win an MLR Shield in Los Angeles also played stout defense. And the logo ... ? Well that looks like a Blue Acorn to me. And we all know that Blue Acorns soon become #BlueOaks

Historical Record: 29-48 (5.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 22-15 win over Utah Skinny: After a tough couple years of predominantly losing, it seems like Houston has turned a corner (or a roundabout?) ... Coach Pote Human ain't taking no guff from opposing teams, and has delivered the squad to playoffs in back to back years.... only to be ousted by Seattle. But this years team as added some serious weaponry in the form of Jeremy "Missile" Misailegalu and AJ Alatimu. A Week 1 win was accompanied by a sold out SaberCats Stadium. Can the attendance numbers stay high as the temperature and relative humidity also climbs in the spring and summer? Don't come to close to the mascot or he might just give you #CatScratchFever

Historical Record: 2-30 (2 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 32-29 win over Rugby FC Los Angeles Skinny: So Dallas hasn't been great so far ... no better time than now for a change. Sam Golla may be the best draft pick since the inception of the collegiate draft. The #JackalAllTrades already earned his way onto the Eagles and is now a Jackal Co-Capt. too. A week 1 win is huge for confidence, but can they beat the snake bitted SD Legion Sunday to make it two in a row? Now that Marc Cuban has sold his majority stake in the Mavericks, will be seeing a celebrity appearance at Choctaw stadium in 2024? That's what you do when you retire right ...? Just go to rugby games and mingle with the people! If I'm being honest, I'd rather see a Jerry Jones appearance. Wouldn't it be crazy if the Jackals win a title before Jerry's Cowboys end their Super Bowl drought? I think actually that just might put Jerry Jones in his grave.

Historical Record: 20-31-2 (3.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 18-6 loss to NOLA Gold Skinny: Moving on from Segra Field is a definite win. While the new pitch is still a ways out there, it boasts a beautiful grass surface with an accurately sized bowl for 5k fans. It's their 3rd venue since inception and they've finally checked off all three parts of the DMV. The match up in Quincy Massachusetts Saturday suddenly has more juice as the Flags will look to punch back at the team that knocked them off in last year's Eastern Conference Final. Does having a 4th coach in 4 years matter...? Not if the core of the team is in tact. With the wrecking crew of loosies expect OGMD to be back in the playoffs come July.

Historical Record: 36-40-1 (5.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 18-6 win over Old Glory DC Skinny: NOLA in a big year as they look to not only make the playoffs, but host a match in July. They have the glitz and glamour to get there, but after white knuckle defensive performance against OGDC down in the Gold Mine, it just might be DEFENSE that sees them through to the knockouts. Can Rodney Iona assert himself as one of the league's best 10's? There's a notable bye-week for the Gold during the epic New Orleans' Jazz Fest. Will the players have a well deserved night on the town ... or is it all business til' a top playoff seed is delivered? Big year in store for the Gold.

Historical Record: 38-15 (3.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 46-13 win over Anthem Skinny: Reigning Champs, and currently riding a 13 game winning streak dating back to April of 2023. There is no hotter team in the MLR so surely the pressure is on to repeat as champions. With Fort Quincy as host to the best stadium environment on the East Coast, teams will be fearing the away trip to New England. This team has some serious kiwi talent. Jayson Potroz is the people's champ after winning 2 finals in the same calendar year (all while presenting as a bald old man), and Mitch Jacobson has a chin you could crack a slab of granite against. All this to say that the league has been and is currently still on notice ... NEFJ fans living by the motto #RepeatOrDie

Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 23-19 Loss to Chicago Skinny: What's sexier than buying a professional franchise in a destination city and branding it pink? Sounds like our late Giltinis, but this squad has an ownership group (see above) that isn't fucking around. You don't wear those tinted shades to a media event and not make a splash! With a professional front office, and a slew of professional players from the Southern Hemisphere, the Sharks will look to get their chunk of flesh in their inaugural season. Will the chummed waters of the Eastern Conference be the location of a feeding frenzy for this cold blooded team? How much for a Leo Messi appearance? Surely this crew of owners have the swagger to land Messi! Right?!

Historical Record: 3-13 (1 Season) Week 1 Result: 23-19 win over Miami Skinny: Chicago has the weapons to do some damage in the East. They absorbed talent from New York and have a total of 16 Internationally capped players. How do you follow up a season with a lot of losses? By winning. It's also important they grow their fan base in year 2 and put more assess in seats. Building a true home field advantage isn't easy, but they start in late March with back to back home games. Could the fans be treated to a nice 27 degree snowy, blustery, windy match? After all, their home kit would go great on a green and white pitch.

Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 46-13 Loss to New England Free Jacks Skinny: This team was put together in the final minutes of the offseason. Any wins would be outstanding considering the short timeline they were put together. World Rugby has agreed to fund the team for four years, and shows a commitment to a partnership between MLR, USA Rugby and World Rugby. One win would be sweet, multiple wins would be fantastic ... a quarterfinal appearance ... year 1 bliss. The team will have to learn on the fly. That's why we've chosen #Neuroplasticity as their 2024 hashtag. The ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization. Sounds like the Charlotte based franchise has their work cut out for them. PICKEM!

Two teams folded (for now). One team packed up and relocated to the sunny hills of L.A. Another new team in the Queen City with a focus on young American MLR minutes. After Glendale came and went, followed by Gilly-Gate, did anyone actually think the MLR Front Office timeline could get any wackier? Yet here we are. Year 7 loading and the shield has never looked shinier. With World Rugby's decision to financially back Anthem Rugby Carolinas, we've been tapped as the rugby union of the future (fingers crossed it will all work out). Will the 2031 RWC be a smashing success, or will gigantic stadiums be left under attended? We've got seven more years to get it as supercharged as we can before we host the pinnacle event. With seven years in, and seven to go ... how will MLR shake out in a pivotal year? The men's Eagles have to begin a winning form heading into future RWC Qualifiers. The only way to do that is to have a thriving domestic comp to select the best players from. As of now, all teams have enough talent to win games. Charlotte, Miami and LA may have a learning curve being fresh-out-the-box franchises, but there's no doubt all three clubs will win big games throughout the season. So the ultimate question is ... who will rise up and hoist the shield come August 3rd at Snap Dragon Stadium in San Diego? Can New England repeat and defend their crown? Can the Legion return to the final and win in front of a home crowd? Will Seattle become the first franchise to win three titles ... (and does that count as a dynasty?) Depth is always a factor leading into playoffs ... Who is healthy at the right time? With 16 game regular season, followed up with 3 rounds of knock out rugby, which squads will have the player depth to see it through? The regular season ends June 29th, and the PLAYOFFS?! begin THREE WHOLE WEEKS LATER. Yes, this is to accommodate the summer test rugby window .... but we've never seen a break like this in any major sports league heading into the knockout rounds. Will this elongated break allow teams to get healthier, and will that result in more appealing QF matchups? Or will the fans' summer attentions spans dwindle and result in poor attendances? Knowing the average temps throughout the US in late July, we don't need Paris Hilton to tell us "That's Hot". We know the hardcore fans will ride and die in blistering temps for a home knockout game, but will the casuals fans show up? After all, if we want to fill our stadiums come RWC 2031, it's the Casuals that we need to be winning over. With a balanced 12 team league, the fans will be happy to absorb all the rugby we can each week. Six games a weekend ain't bad. Maybe shedding wavering investors like snake skin will be good for the league in the long-term. Until 2031 arrives, we'll still be holding our breath every off-season when the capital calls are due. In the meantime, the show goes on... PICKEM!

What makes a great winger? Is it the ability to beat the best defenses? The slight of foot, and dashing balance as they navigate through a trove of stout defenders? What about a lethal step, or an unimaginable field vision? Uncle Johnny was in studio to flesh out who Le Shane Williams 'Tiny Dancer' of Le Tournament is for this dazzling affair in France the past few weeks. While many names come straight into mind (.... think RWC 2019 final when Owen Farrell got spun around like a ballerina) ... John has his list of names both old and new who were in contention for the prestigious Rugby PickEm Award. Could it be Mack "The Knife" Hansen, Sir Darcy Graham (straight out of a Jane Austen novel), or a rather new name on the winger circuit ... the Portuguese Raffeale Storti (aka Storti the Shorty) ??? All that and more on a rather wild and crazy Rugby PickEm. Enjoy. PICKEM!

Bt & Uncle Johnny recap what has been an exquisite month of Rugby World Cup action in the home country of France. From sharing a suite with hot & sweaty Irish lads, to close encounters with Jellyfish in the famous Basque country surf, the lads give the blow by blow of what has been a fantastic RWC. Que Magnifique! We recap rounds 1-4, and preview what is being dubbed as the "pre-quarterfinals" this weekend. Hang onto your hats. PICKEM!

Ladies and Gents, it's here. The event we've been waiting for. The Rugby World Cup in France. Rugby Reddit Internet Scholars (we're talkin' 21st century academia baby) are dubbing this one the year of the UNDERDOGS. Teams that have yet to sniff a RWC Final are predicted to shine and break through the boring traditional mold. Who will be barking and groveling for treats (remember, dog theme) come the knock out rounds in October? For those that don't know (or choose to conveniently forget, I'm looking at you European Rugby fans), only 4 total teams have hoisted the trophy over the years, with 7 wins going to Southern Hemisphere power houses (South Africa 3x (and reigning champs), New Zealand 3x, and Australia 2x) and a measly 1 win going to England in 2003. France has battled and been ridiculously close (losing in 3 finals), and Ireland .... well Ireland have a QF exit hump bigger than Quasimodo's C3-C4 vertebrae. But who are the true UnderDogs of the tourney? Argentina - the spicy South Americans have the talent, and a massive bone to chew on for the next 8 weeks. They've been battling Southern Hemisphere teams for the last four years and the intense competition has paid off. The Pumas export the majority of their professional players to France anyways, so it will almost feel like a home tournament ... Right? Wales - the Rugby Reddit Internet Scholars are pissed that the competition pools are picked 2.5 years in advance. Surely the overlords at World Rugby (lookin at you Billy B) knew that the world rankings would shift as the tournament approached, yet here we are. Wales made the 2019 semi-final back in Japan, but their form going into this years tourney is down. No one expects much from a country that punches well above its population weight in Rugby Union, but perhaps now is the time to back a team with a (relatively) clear path to another semi-final appearance. Fiji - the flying coconuts seem to be the darling of the tournament. Losing their starting flyhalf Caleb Muntz a mere days before the tourney is set to start is certainly a gut punch, but the men in White & Black can turn a game on its head ... in seconds. Their time as the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific has shown that if World Rugby invests in Pacific Island Countries, the payoff is mighty. A competitive Fiji has always put up some crazy highlight reel team tries, but this year they're sniffing everyone's butthole they cross (again, we're hammering home the dog theme). Australia - Eddie Jones may be the biggest shit talking dickhead of a coach that test rugby has ever and will ever see. But it's all forgiven if he can neuter their losing ways (0-5 in the tournament buildup), pin their ears back and become junk yard dogs again. They are by far the youngest team in the tournament (perhaps by design ... Eddie's got a rock solid contract from Rugby Australia and would rather compete with young talent ... win or lose). Can the lifeless Wallabies find their form, or will they piss on the porch with the puppies? If you want to place a relatively safe future bet on teams that could (and should) win it all, ... go with South Africa, France, New Zealand or Ireland. But if you want to play with the UnderDogs (and reap the rewards with huge odds), go with Argentina, Wales, Fiji or Australia. Until then, Rugby PickEm will be giving you a boots on the ground perspective from France. We'll take in the sights, sounds & smells of this rugby rich country as we travel down the west coast for the opening weekend in Bordeaux. Until then, remember .... Hungry Dogs Run FASTER! PICKEM!

Sometimes, an interview is so big ... so massive and emotional ... so monumental and groundbreaking ... that you simply can't edit & publish it in the following hours. No, sometimes the weight of the moment is simply too grand ... it needs to simmer, and grow with the wild and fantastical rise of the individual. Presenting Broccoli Guy. Ladies and Gentleman "We Got Him". The interview was aptly conducted in his car (in a hotel parking lot) back in the summer of 2021. The man (myth & legend) they call Jim Stewart Allen was everything one could imagine and more. In the summer of 2021, the club rugby world rejoiced when summer 7's resumed and the club national tournament was held at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila Washington. The big names and clubs were all in attendance, but none bigger than a man who has been trailblazing super-fandom in the Pacific Northwest for years. In an ode to a high fiber diet, and absolute kookiness, Broccoli Guy has injected himself into the heart and soul of the Sports SuperFan Universe by munching on assorted vegetables while also dancing, while also just raising the roof on each and every sporting event he attends. Inspired by Seattle Super-Fan legend Kris Brannon aka "Sonics Guy", Broccoli Guy made his first jumbotron appearance at a Mariners game and was immediately addicted to the rush. He has since made a splash across just about every professional sporting event in the Pacific Northwest. He's no stranger to Seawolves games, and even made the 35 hour round trip to LA to watch the 2021 Giltinis final While he'd love to make fruit and vegetable dancing a full blown money making career, his day job as a substitute teacher keeps him busy. He one day hopes to be a positive role model for kids who are looking to improve their healthy eating habits. If you are a piece of produce, be on the lookout for the dancing fool in the stands of StarFire stadium who may just gobble you up. Special Thanks to Jim Steward Allen for being a good sport and having a laugh at himself! Enjoy. PICKEM!

Lane Pruisner IS IOWA. From the Corn Fields of Ankeny, to Fort Dodge and now Jonesboro Arkansas, rugby has been a leading driver in Lane's young adult life. His adventures brought him to Denver Colorado this summer where he competed with the Denver Barbarians 7's and worked full time as a civil engineer (specializing in corrosion prevention). Hear about his journey, the challenges he faced this summer and other general nonsense in this RRS Special of Rugby PickEm. Enjoy, PICKEM!

Founded in 2022, Ronan Neurofeedback and Counseling was formed primarily to help athletes struggling with mental health issues, concussion symptoms, and injury recovery on and off the field. Ronan Neurofeedback and Counseling also works with non-athletes seeking an alternative to medication who want to improve their health, brain functioning, and overall mental well-being. Reed & I sat down for an insightful chat about how athletes can do more than simply train their bodies ... they can train their brains & minds as well. Enjoy. PICKEM!

Premier Rugby 7's had their first event in the fall of 2021 in Memphis Tennessee. Since then, it has grown steadily and expanded to 5 total events for the summer of 2023. With new butt kickin' franchise names (look no further than the Pittsburgh Steeltoes) and an infusion of talent, the new league has delivered a fun product without the morning to nightfall commitment that usually comes with a traditional 7's tournament. A competitive format that plunges straight into the semifinals makes for a "win or go home" environment where every pass, tackle, and breath count. John Fitzpatrick of the Rugby Morning dives into the PR 7's competition, in addition to RAN 7's, the men's Eagles August lineup. Enjoy PICKEM!

Mike Matarazzo isn't just a big body ... he's a student of the game and one of the young dynamic players in the MLR. Clocking in at 6'5", 250lbs, he's a tower in the lineout and has the hands to move the ball under pressure. We caught up with Mike back in fall of 2021 when he attending the U-23 Eagle Pathway Camp. At the time, Mike had just signed with Dallas and was selected to travel down to Uruguay with the Falcons. Since then, he's played a ton of MLR minutes, and was most recently selected for Team of the Week as he continues to get selected for the Chicago Hounds (both in the 2nd row and the loose). Mike has a huge rugby future ahead of him! Top 3 (Players Mike has shared the jersey with) - Evan Slattery - Flanker, Ginger, Super Fiery Rugby Player. Always made the big tackle. Pat McMahon - "Hell of a guy to play with" - M.M. Johan Momsen - Professor of lineouts, ATL leader. Special Thanks to Mike for rolling with the punches (waiting ~2 years since the recording!) Enjoy!

Los Dogos XV Name / Brand: The Dogo Argentina breed was bred by the 1920s Antonio Nores Martinez, a young student of Córdoba in central Argentina. The logo is fierce... just like this type of dog. They are big game hunting dogs, but also are trained for search and rescue, police assistance, service dogs, and guidance for the blind. Stadium: Tala Rugby Club - This 6k capacity stadium will likely be wall to wall with home town supporters from the rugby rich region. Tala has won 23 titles in the Cordoba club comp and will likely have fans who will be barking like the Baja Boys. Bold Prediction: Los Dogos represent Cordoba and win the league. They go toe to toe with their Buenos Aires based rivals Las Pampas throughout the season. They'll find a way to gut it out and win playoff games when it counts to become Super Rugby Americas Champions. Sometimes bad hombres just got that Dogo in 'em. Las Pampas XV Name / Brand: "Las Pampas" refer to the great southern plains of Argentina, Uruguay and a small section of southern Brazil. This large swath of land is rich with ranching culture where cattle farming is life. The logo (above) is crisp, featuring a mean looking Bronco with some unique coloring and patterns. Stadium: Club Atlético de San Isidro, Buenos Aires. better known as CASI. Deep rugby history, 5k capacity. Bold Prediction: Las Pampas stay on top of the table throughout the year. The Argentinean talent is too good for anything lower than a finals appearance. Expect the Dogos vs. Pampas games to be hotly contested all year. American Raptors Name / Brand: The Raptors brand has undergone many transformations (Glendale Raptors, Colorado Raptors, Colorado XOs, and now the American Raptors). The newest iteration features navy blue, crimson and gold, with a Raptors whose beak is so sharp it can cut glass. Stadium: Infinity Park. 5k plus capacity. Official "Unofficial" Home of the USA Eagles, but the Raptors will hope to pack the park during their 6 games homestand from late March to early May. Bold Prediction: Raptors front up and make the playoffs. Wins against the two Argentinian teams won't come easy, but they'll win enough games on their first road trip to put them in a spot to climb the table during their 6 game home stand. Peñarol Name / Brand: Technically this is the brand of the Athletic Club Peñarol who has a bunch of different sports under their umbrella ... but when it comes to rugby brands, sometimes simple plays. Stadium: Estadio Charrúa holds 14k fans when full. Artificial turf seems strange for South America, but makes it easier to manage heavy rains Bold Prediction: The Uruguayans make the final 4, but fall short in a semi-final. They will win some big games throughout the year and have the national team flying high when September comes around and the stage is set in France. Selknam Name / Brand: the Selk'nam, also known as the Onawo or Ona people, are an indigenous people in the Patagonian region of southern Argentina and Chile, including the Tierra del Fuego islands. They were one of the last native groups in South America to be encountered by migrant Europeans in the late 19th century. Red, White and Black are the primary colors for a funky looking logo. Stadium: Estadio Municipal La Pintana holds 5k fans. The other teams in the league will be familiar with the pitch as it hosted ARC matches in 2016 and 2018. Grass, not turf. Bold Prediction: Selknam hangs tough all year, but just misses the playoffs. Their season opener against the American Raptors will tell us a lot, but for now, we have them finishing 5th overall.

Striking Gold King Creole is ready for that postseason smoke NOLA Gold have been a founding member and have always been on the cusp of the playoffs. They have talent in the back row, and have signed some key collegiate players to bolster the squad. King Creole and his marching band have high expectations for a team that has been oh so close for o so long. Bold Prediction: NOLA Gold finish top 2 in the East. They will host a playoff game at the Gold Mine in late June or early July (hot, swampy and stanky hot conditions). Devin Short breaks through the national team and gets his first Eagle cap. New Brand, Not Brand New Which one of these brands strikes fear in an opponent? The Rugby ATL front office caught some serious flack for the rebrand ... but on the pitch, they walk the walk. Steve Brett has his systems in place to put up points and play fast. The turf at Silverback Park favors speed and quick ball, not to mention the fact that a swampy hot conditions toward the end of the season will be a shock for their eastern conference rivals. Expect them to string together big wins down the stretch in May / June. Bold Prediction: Rugby ATL makes the playoffs ... again. They've been consistently good and have proven they can strike from the grasses with deadly force ... (I already miss the snake branding). Nothing helps a PR snafu with your fans than a winning record! New Found Glory Can we get the infamous band out to Segra for a halftime performance? 2022 was a tough year for OGDC. Brutal start, stronger finish. Now they are returning the majority of their squad, but with a brand new coach at the helm. Tusitala to Saifaloi is a combo we'll hear throughout the year in the halfbacks. Cory Daniel has been the best defender in the MLR for the last calendar year ... the front office brought in the closest thing to his clone to bolster the loose forward group. Will we see the first brother combo in the leagues history lining up at 6 & 7 in Cory and Brady Daniel? If it does happen, you can be sure that the announcers won't stop ramming that storyline down the viewers throats for the 2 hour broadcast. Bold Prediction: OGDC breaks through and makes the playoffs in a pivotal year for the franchise. It won't be easy (like it is at Sheehy auto stores), but they will find their form and establish a New Found Glory under new coach Josh Syms. PICKEM!

Western Expansion The Hounds have been released, but how will they fare in 2023? The 2022 expansion team went 0-16 but seems to be building a strong fanbase. The 2021 expansion team smashed the league, nabbed the shield, but now are a relic of the past. Given the fact that Chicago inherited two top sides in the west via the "Expansion Draft", they'll be expected to compete for a playoff spot. Bold Prediction: Chicago wins the west in their first year. No one will be hungrier to win now than the players and coaches that got dumped in the GillyGate decision last year. The Hounds are a barkin' and dem dogs is hungry. Argies Do Dallas There's new Argentinian brass in the Jackals front office, and the only thing they give a shit about is winning games in 2023. Just like the (kiwi owned) Rugby (United) New York imported in kiwis late last year for a playoff run, Dallas will likely absorb some Argentinian test players throughout the season. It's a World Cup year, and every player who has RWC dreams is chomping at the bit to be seen by selectors. If a prominent Argentinian player isn't seeing time in a European competition, don't be surprised if he ends up doing Dallas. Bold Prediction: Dallas wins 6 or more games. Stands up in the Western conference, and plays spoiler down the stretch in May. They won't make the playoffs, but they will be night and day from their form last year. Sleepers in Seattle Is it even possible to Sleep on a 2x MLR Champ? Seattle has been consistently good since the league's inception. They've been building something fierce under head coach Allen Clarke. Hometown products like Eric Duechle and Cole Zarcone return to a strong roster of Seawolves that know how to hunt in a pack (or is it a pod?). Starfire Stadium remains a surefire place for a loud home field advantage ... (ps, we love and fully support the heckling of visiting team place kickers). Bold Prediction: Seattle makes the western playoffs and strikes up a new rivalry with the Chicago Hounds. We'll call it ... "The Battle for the Right to Wear Forest Green". Bit of a mouthful, but that's the working title for this soon to form Western conference rivalry. As we alluded to above, it's not necessarily BOLD to predict a perennial contender to make the big dance, so we'll throw in another BOLD prediction ... Alan Clarke = coach of the year 2023. PICKEM!

We hope you've been enjoying the recent episodes with Uncle Johnny, Tommy NoPiks and HARPO in person, live & in the flesh. 2022 has proven to be a crazy rugby year, but we simply wanted to thank all the fans that continue to listen to Rugby PickEm and occasionally go and click around the website (www.rugbypickem.com). It's been a long strange journey since April 2018, but it's been 5 years of good fun and banter. We cap the 2022 year with a thanks to the fans, and an experimental segment aptly named "Tommy's Philosophies".... More RP on the way in 2023 including coverage of the Men's and Women's Eagles (XVs & 7s), MLR, SLAR, Summer 7's and RWC 2023 in France! PICKEM!

It was June in 1983, and the soon to be burgeoning game of rugby 7's was waiting for it's inevitable explosion. Luckily for the soon to be 7's sensations, he arrived in the form of Dr. Don HARPO and the Attitude Adjusters Association. Back when Life U was just a small chiropractic college (and not the deeply talented rugby program they are in 2023) HARPO recruited a team to compete in local 7's tournaments. "We played for the love of the game" ... was a line he continued to repeat as we talked about everything that goes into 7's organizing. The w-w-w-work, is omnipresent, and rarely smooth and painless ... but when done right, it can produce memories that lasts beyond any mortal man. Below, are pictures, memories and some score lines from the Attitude Adjusters Association's 18th tour to Fort Walton Beach Florida on June 6th 1987. When the microphones turned off, HARPO was quick to deflect praise for his growth of the game. He continually shines praise on legends like Emil Signes and Alex Goff who have both been involved for decades and have contributed to the growth of 7's in different ways. HARPO continually reminds us at Rugby PickEm that the role of the "Old Boys" (and you simply MUST "know your role" ...) is to support the future generations, and remind them of why we play the game. FOR THE FUN OF IT! He's also not shy about his feelings as rugby grows into different rugby codes. Below was the first experiment of "Sixty-Minute Sevens" Gary Lamborn, Terrance Titus, and many more Eagles all played for the Attitude Adjusters at one point in time. What we know see professionally on the HSBC tour and in PR 7's was all built on the shoulders of legends of the past. But as the game continues to grow and morph, let's not forget where and how it all started ... PICKEM!

The Women's 2021 RWC (held in 2022) was an unforgettable kiwi experience. Not only is New Zealand a beautiful country (flora, fauna & great people), but rugby runs through their veins. The hosts were spectacular, and the Black Ferns put on a show throughout. They defeated a great French side in an exciting semi final, followed by a world class performance against England in the final. The Women's Eagles left it all on the pitch, but it wasn't enough to beat a stout Canadian side. Led by Canadian rugby royalty Sophie de Goede, the team played big against the USA, defeating them twice in 8 days. Both of the de Goede parents were captains for their perspective Canadian sides and they're also great fans of the game travelling the North Island throughout the tournament and livin' the van life. USA won the tourney in 1991, and are only one of three teams to lift the cup (New Zealand has won 6, and England 1). Can the Women's Eagles win it back down unda in 2027 or on home soil in 2031? Allianz Premier 15s Shrinks Update: On the eve of editing and releasing our prerecorded audio, there has been some bitter news out of the Allianz Premier 15s (full press release here). The league will shrink to the following 8 teams, leaving Sale Sharks and Wasps out of the picture for the following year. British fans seem quite upset on twitter (who isn't mad on Twitter these days though?) at the fact that the northern part of the country doesn't have any representation (see the map below). I get that young professional sporting leagues want to grow at a "sustainable rate" ... but why shrink the league? Don't know all of the details, but seems like a step back for growth especially considering that England is hosting the next Women's RWC in 2025. PICKEM!

Have we ever seen a bigger lighting rod of a character in the USA Rugby landscape than Adam Gilchrist? Love him or hate him ... there's no denying that he shook up the league (to put it lightly) in the two years of his rise and fall. We recapped the last year of the two Gil franchises, and discussed what Gilly's legacy will be years from now. From entering the league with a huge bang in 2020 (launching not one but TWO teams and rebranding them in his vanity), to breaching the salary cap and being voted out by his fellow MLR partners.... The past two years have certainly shown the US Rugby fanbase that crazy shit can happen in quick time! We're not sad it's over ... we're just happy that it happened. Gilly Gilly! Also on the podcast: Uncle Johnny previews the newest team in the MLR the Chicago Wolfhounds. HARPO demands that all the old curmudgeons drinking pints in the back room retire. Tommy No Piks laughs incessantly (but in an adorable way). PICKEM!

The full compliment of RP personalities were back in studio for a heated discussion that somehow remained cautiously optimistic! Although the men's Eagles did not qualify for France 2023, we are reminded that not all is lost, and sometimes it truly is darkest before the dawn (scientifically accurate). The questions that were tossed around (Tommy's arm is still sore) were ... How can the the men's Eagles find their own identity in the 5 years leading up to Australia in 2027? Who would be the best fit to lead them? Can the days of NAFTA be restored through Rugby Mexico and the Serpientes? How do Rugby Canada and USA Rugby bounce back from their RWC absence? What type of cash injection is needed in the run up to the 2031 RWC? Will rugby ever be more than a niche sport in the states ... ? ... HARPO doesn't seem to think so 😕 Enjoy. PICKEM!

On Saturday, 4/23/22, the Denver Barbarians will play against the American Raptors. The teams have played on and off since 2007, and each time they square up against each other, the rugby fans of Denver Colorado benefit. Since 2007, the competitions have morphed and shaped year to year (see below). The product always seemed to be elite level clubs on the cusp of professionalism. With the PRO Rugby formation (and quick disintegration) in 2016, everything changed. The two teams have not played consistently since 2016 and Saturday's game looks to change that. Super League Elite Cup (2012) Pacific Rugby Premiership PRO Rugby MLR Professionals vs. Amateur Club What dynamics go into each differing set up? Advantages/disadvantages of being professional? Advantages/disadvantages of being amateur club? Importance of playing local Darbies Building the level of competitive rugby in Denver Growing the Denver rugby fan base. Iron Sharpens Iron Players to Watch: American Raptors: Max Dacey Seimou Smith Line Latu Kaleb Repp Luke Mallette Denver Barbarians: Luca Tani Mike Lawrensen Eric Sykes Conor O’Brien Malik Bryant Saturday - 4/23 3:00pm - Denver Barbarians vs. American Raptors 5:00pm - Denver Barbarians vs. Denver Waterdogs Infinity Park Turf 1055 S Cherry Street PICKEM!

Over the past 6 weeks, we've been watching the games and keeping a temperature on the early part of the 2021 MLR season. On Saturday night, Bt and Tommy NoPiks sat down to take in 3 games at once (4 games if you count the 2nd half of the Cali Cup). Much to the chagrin of our dear friend (the 2020 "Blogger of the Year" RPA winner) and seasoned rugby reporter Bryan Ray, the MLR decided to load up Saturday night's slate of games. While Bryan prefers the game schedule to be laid out over the course of an entire weekend, we strongly disagree... What could be better than 3 games on, all at once?! We saw a great opportunity to binge some games and thanks to a generous TV donation by The Rugby Network, we built a triple screen masterpiece. Final Scores and thoughts from a great Saturday night MLR binge (winners in bold): LA Giltinis - 26 SD Legion - 13 Commentary Booth: Gareth Rees (play by play) Mike Tolkin (color) A poorly timed yellow card in the 60th minute killed San Diego's chances to level the score. They just couldn't seem to get the ball over the try line despite many appearances down in LA's 22. Luke White continues his rampage as one of the best scrummaging props in the MLR. Billy Meakes (better known as "Sir William Meakes" in Rugby PickEm circles) was MOTM. Meakes in an absolute GUN! Austin Gilgronis - 17 New England FreeJacks - 25 Commentary Booth: Kit McConico (play by play) Jim ___? (color) Some people disagreed with the call that went against Mason Pederson and cancelled Austin's late try to bring the game close, but the bottom line is that New England scored and defended when they needed to. They walk away with a massive win on the road, and rested some starters too. Zach Bastres scored his first MLR try coming off the bench to help seal the game. NOLA Gold - 17 Rugby New York - 30 Commentary Booth: Ian McNulty (play by play) Geoff Ormsby (color) We we're pulling hard for NOLA to get their 3rd straight win and jump back into contention in the East ... but it wasn't meant to be. New York was in control throughout the majority of the game. Ed Fidow continues to be a master class for the New York backline, running through anything to get his team on the front foot. NOLA has some lengthy tries late in the match, but too little too late for NOLA. They are 0-4 at home to begin the year. Dallas Jackals - 12 Seattle Seawolves - 34 Commentary Booth: Matt McCarthy (play by play) Marc Scterbina (color) An early red card saw Dallas up against it at Choctaw Stadium. The team continues to have moments of play that are magnificent, but a lack of defensive cohesion lead to a litany of Seattle tries that put it out of reach. Dallas will get their first W before the season ends, it's just a matter of which team takes them too lightly. Seattle ends a three game slide and will have to front against the defending champs next weekend. What a fantastic Saturday night of MLR action! Stay tuned for more Rugby PickEm to follow in the coming weeks! PICKEM!

MLR 2022 - Year of the Player (ft. Colton Strickler DNVR Rugby) 4 Themes and 'Motifs' for the upcoming season ... 1. Shift in Player Power - Monetizing Individual Brands It's no secret that MLR Salary caps are low relative to its European counterparts. This will push players to try and maximize their potential income, on and off the pitch. We've already seen star caliber players bring their talents stateside to help build their brand. In 2022, expect just about every type of player (from aging star to young bucks taking the leap from college) to monetize their name image and likeness off the pitch. And why shouldn't they? Players make the ultimate sacrifice for everyone else to enjoy rugby ... their body. The truly successful MLR franchises will be the ones whose front office seeks to help their players grow off the pitch financially. If you can't pay the players much now in 2022, help set them up for financial success in the years to come. In summary, expect to see: Personal Brand Deals, NFT Offerings, Players Making Content 24/7 2. Follow the $ - Front Office Consolidation & Expansion The capitalization table in the league will always be changing. Like an amoeba, the shifting of ownership percentages will be constant. Recently, Rugby ATL was sold and previous MLR owner now has a bigger piece of the league. As certain ownership groups continue to flex their checkbook and acquire bigger stakes, you can bet your ass that those ownership groups have greater say in the board meetings. New expansion teams will always pay a higher cost to entry with every additional year the league gains momentum (and hopefully meaningful revenue). The cost for future teams (St. Louis & Chicago) will be greater than teams who joined in 2020. While they will always be partners (the collective ownership group as a whole), you can bet on some serious (metaphorical) arm wrestling at the quarterly meetings. 3. Rugby Media Industrial Complex becoming too SPECULATIVE Love the fact that more and more people want to cover the league. The more the merrier ... however, with player and coaching jobs on the line, there really needs to be a threshold or structure to how people report on the game. There's a difference between journalism and content. Let's hope people aim to be right, not first to report. If someone has sources in the league, by all means work those sources. But if you're just chucking paint on a wall, and purely speculating ... well that's not fair to the parties your speculating about. Counterpoint ... many bloggers have been peeved about the lack of transparency in the league. True, it's been a pain point for the MLR in the past, but they just launched the new transaction wire. Perhaps this small offering will give the Rugby Media Industrial Complex the little taste of information they need in order to not be constantly guessing and speculating. 4. Deepest Teams Win Late in the Year Championships are won in the offseason (front office putting together an elite team), pre season (players / coaches / front office gelling and forging bonds that will last through the season) & obviously in the post season ... where championships are (literally) won. The teams with the star power may come out strong, but it's the deepest teams that will rise up the ladder and make a run for the shield in June. Special thanks to Colton Strickler for doing this years #MLR2022 preview. THE YEAR OF THE PLAYER! PICKEM

What if I told you the future of Rugby ATL was a lacrosse convert, who's ripped up & shredded (like cheese), loves a good bump off, ... oh yeah and he's not just a great dude, but also perhaps a fashion and trend setting icon ..... ? It's Jalen Tatum and he's heading towards a try zone near you! Don't you DARE Run it Straight at this Man. Jalen and I linked up this past fall in the U-23 pathways camp. From the moment he showed up to the camp, I had a feeling there was something special to this absolute unit of a player. A lacrosse convert, Jalen dropped this stick and opted for the more physical game of rugby, cutting his teeth at Kennesaw State University. He learned quick and has blossomed into a backs coach's wet dream: A winger who can run around you or through you. After spending an entire year with Rugby ATL and going uncapped, Jalen looks to cement himself into the week to week lineup in the 2022 campaign were the franchise hopes to retain their claim atop the Eastern conference. The road to success is never a straight line, and young players often have to overcome the hurdles and curves that are ever present in professional sports. Jalen's path has landed him on his hometown squad, ready for what comes his way. It's obvious that being a great player isn't the only requirement for success. Jalen takes the term "teammate" and delivers on all fronts. He's not the yelling and screaming type, but he's able to connect with fellow teammates and offer his expertise on how to be better. Often "micro-coaching" on the pitch, he knows that the team is only as good as it's weakest link. He's a connector, a communicator, and most importantly ... a Big Time Gamer. Keep you're eyes peeled for this man in #MLR2022 ! PICKEM!

A touch late on the "end of year" publication, but ... oh well. The deliberations were fiery, no stone was left unturned, and the final pieces to this year's awards have come into place. What a year 2021 was .., and where to begin? In the face of a pandemic, the MLR went 99-0 (Commish's favorite stat), Gilly hoisted some hardware, the Pioneers got to compete in Tokyo after a year delay, PR 7's was launched, & the college game returned (even though the political infighting continues) ... How does one cap a big year? The 2nd annual RPA's. No serious analysis involved, just some lighthearted shout outs to the general rugby community. Sit back, enjoy, and dive into the utter absurdity of handing out awards to the Rugby Media Industrial Complex (TM). The Categories and nominees are... Step of the Year: Tadhg Furlong Nate Augsperger Stuart Hogg MLR Mascot of the Year: Woodgy - New England Jacksquatch Koa the Warrior Panther - Utah Warriors Rucky - Seattle Seawolves Scratch - Houston SaberCats MLR Fan of the Year: Broccoli Man (Seattle) The Big Guy (RUNY) The Cohort (SD Legion) MLR Podcast of the Year: W Nation Road To Glory Cat Chronicles Who Is Winning The Rugby Streaming Wars? FLO Rugby Peacock The Rugby Network (TRN) Best Cross Over Podcast of the Year: The sole nominee and winner is .... DNVR Rugby Podcast Rugby's Hardest Worker: Steve Lewis Pat Clifton Commish Killebrew Alex Goff Ryan Kirby (on twitter) Matt McCarthy Brianna Kim Independent Podcast of the Year: Stories Unleashed Podcast - Chez Waihi Rugby on the Rise - Max Dacey Rugby Hive - Dallen Stanford & Robin McDowell Listen to the full podcast to find out who wins. PICKEM!

As professional rugby intersects with the information age, statistical trends and historical data are crucial to the success or failure of a professional team. At the test level, coaches and selectors are handed a treasure trove of information about their player pool. All of this comes to life on the back of a talented rugby analyst. Matt Johnston (Aussie by birth, but currently morphed into a global ambassador for footy) is one of the most knowledgeable rugby analysts I had ever met to date. Better yet, he was patient and kind enough to walk me through some of the areas about rugby video analysis where I was completely clueless. In a couple weeks time, he instilled the confidence in me to start flying the drone myself and biting off an additional role in the U-23s fall camp. To top it all off, he's a class bloke and one of the more easy going human beings I've met. Here's a snap shot of what we covered in the conversation. How does World Rugby design a player pathway? It's not just getting into the right locations to scout talent, but making sure that they're accessible to the young players of the region. According to Matt, "You've got to build the base of the pyramid, then you can help push people toward the apex." How does World Rugby grow the game (outside of player development)? Awareness, Enjoyment, and a lifetime participation in the game. We need people playing a full career of club footy, then picking up the whistle to coach, organize or officiate. Developing casual fans is important, but developing and retaining "fans for life" is also imperative. What is it like being an analyst for a high performance team? According to Matty "It's one of the best seats in the house." Matt got into analysis in order to help his coaching. He learned by sitting in with the best minds, and absorbing their knowledge, patiently asking questions and acquiring knowledge of how to break down film. Soon knowledge turns into know how. It soon became another form of literacy for Matt. How does an analyst balance what the see in the numbers vs. their "gut instinct"? "The numbers aren't there to steer the direction of the conversation, but more to act as an accelerant." Matt knows and stresses the importance in allowing data to paint a bigger picture, but it's never a complete substitute to the bigger coaching picture. A good analyst will stay connected with the coaching staff at each possible moment to inform and educate them on what statistical data can help compliment their decision making. To anyone in the American rugby landscape who is interested in growing their skills in analysis ... The TIME IS NOW! Make some phone calls, get plugged in with your local expert. Or just head online and learn as much as you can from available online sources. No excuses, get on your horse and help #GrowTheGame ! Thanks again to Matt Johnston, a top bloke. If you see him at one of the International 7's stops, be sure to have a yarn! PICKEM!

When you start something (without the full plan of what it's going to look like), you get results that are often unquantifiable. After all, you didn't establish the ground work. You don't know what a "success or failure" looks like. You haven't done the hard work that goes into laying out a coherent, justified, deliberate end goal. Begin with the end in mind. And it's not just the long term vision ... good execution comes down to the little details. Long before we launched the Rugby Rent Scholarships website in July of 2021, Isaiah Ashley had already been in touch about playing rugby out west. Pat Kane (North Carolina based rugby coach) connected us, and Isaiah got on his horse ... he showed up before the house had even begun it's full renovation. It would prove to be a summer of changes. Isaiah first gravitated to rugby in order to get out of football spring conditioning (smart AND honorable). Grimsley HS was one of 3 teams that offered in the Greensboro, NC area, and he immediately took to the game. His size was an immediate asset, and the ability to size people up is always a fun endeavor (... for the bigger guy ... usually). Raised in a "football first" family, he accepted a football scholarship to Furman with intent of playing football and rugby, but after 4am alarms became pretty old (he also only touched the ball 3 total times ... exciting fumble recoveries), he narrowed his focus to the rugby pitch. Isaiah did the work and transformed from a 300lb offensive tackle back down to a manageable mid 200 mark. Learning how to pass and get around the pitch is often the hardest part of the game for big fellas to pick up quickly. Isaiah made it a point to put in the reps to close the gaps in his game, and it showed in his time at Furman. Isaiah's time playing 7's with the Denver Barbarians was unfortunately cut short due to an ankle injury sustained in training. He made the most of his short stay in Colorado, rooming with Uncle Johnny and the Rugby Rent Scholarships house. Even as he was hobbled on crutches, he still managed to get his passes in each day in order to improve his craft. He and Uncle Johnny gave glowing reviews of each other as roommates (espousing more and more wisdom with each trip to the bathroom), and Isaiah even gave us some insight into his content creation ... The Thiccman Inc. Podcast. Thanks again to Isaiah for the great interview, and best of luck to him and his future rugby endeavors! PICKEM! PS Listen through the credit to hear Uncle Johnny talk about life as a Jimmy Johns Delivery Guru!

As is Rugby PickEm tradition, we give our listeners (and readers?) an end of year blizzard of content before the year ends. The following is an recap/update on the 2021 fall season. Over the next few days, we'll keep the feed fresh with some old interviews we did throughout the year. What a year it was. Rugby PickEm stayed busy in the fall of 2021, but here are some behind the scenes stuff that has grabbed most of our time and attention. 1) Coaching Grassroots Rugby We've always been a grassroots first podcast. In the rugby world, one reaps what one sews. Spending time at the high school and collegiate level developing the game is essential. Over the past 5 years, we've been coaching the same group of kids since middle school. It has been a long and crazy journey, but all the hard work from the players resulted in a start-up high school team hoisting their first hardware! 2) Rugby Rent Scholarships This newly launched initiative had a wild first fall season. There were some massive successes, and also some serious lessons learned during the first 4 months of operation. As inflation and the continued pandemic makes it harder and harder to find affordable housing, this initiative is all the more imperative to the success of young players in their 20's as they attempt to relocate their life to pursue the highest level of club rugby. 3) USA U-23 High Performance Fall Camp Was privileged to have the opportunity to help manage a 9 week camp where some of the best young talent was assembled in Denver, CO. The goal was to introduce players to the professional environment, and show them what it takes to be a professional rugby player. From early morning weights, to 2 a day training sessions, to eating healthy and diving into the film, the players were pushed on just about every front. Some players arrived with the professional mindset already instilled in them. Some grew substantially over the 9 weeks. Others failed to rise to the occasion and squandered their opportunities. I learned so much about what goes into creative a high-performance / professional environment. The relationships garnered from this camp are invaluable, and I am excited for these young players to show the world what they can do on the pitch. Keep an eye out for some interviews to come in January as we lead into the 2022 MLR season! 4) Reading Books Yes ... reading BOOKS! Not staring at screens or reading online articles on the phones / tablets. Let's get back to ink and paper! Here are some great reads that Rugby PickEm loved in 2021 ... My Life and Rugby - Eddie Jones - Eddie has seen it all. From the amateur's game developing into full blow professionalism, he navigates his career and gives insight into his brilliant rugby mind. If you live to coach like Eddie, this is a great read. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey - Tired of spinning your wheels and feeling like you're just keeping your head above water? This book will help instill principles of effectiveness that have stood up for centuries. Big Magic - Creative Living Beyond Fear - Elizabeth Gilbert - Do you have a creative itch you've been wanting to scratch? Willing to produce some "content" in a world full of trolls and haters? Liz Gilbert brings you into her mind and passes on ideas that will make you think twice about caring what other think. Unleash that creative edge you've been storing for far too long. More content to follow (including Uncle Johnny's stories of being a Jimmy John's delivery specialist ... p.s. he was Freaky Fast). PICKEM!

The Autumn Nations Series is well under way. There have been some blow outs, mixed with some exciting score lines as well. The series is broadcasted and sold via streaming services differently in each country. Amazon Prime has it's hand in the live rights pot, and is taking on more and more rugby. Here in the US, the streaming service that seems to have all the rugby rights wrapped into their current contracts is FloRugby. While the average American rugger doesn't like hitting a paywall (FloRugby charges monthly, but also offers $55 for an annual subscription), it's not that hard to borrow a login / password and select which International Test suits you the best (surely everyone shares their streaming passwords right?). Regardless of your Login / Password acquisition prowess ..., most games are quickly uploaded to Youtube and highlights are immediately released. Too much test footy not to carve aside some time over the next two days and feast (on food, and on watching rugby). Here's a quick wrap up of last week's International action: - Scotland stun Australia - South Africa squeak by Wales - The Italians show some fight against the mighty All Blacks - Ireland quietly cruises against Japan - The French outduel Argentina - Fiji finish out Spain - Portugal beat Canada - Romania humble red hot Uruguay

With the release of the 2022 Major League Rugby season, fans can now decide where to spend their hard earned money come early February. Last year, with the pandemic, and other unknowns throwing wrenches into just about every teams planning, the season started later, and some teams were not able to host fans for the first few months. But 2022 offers a fresh beginning to what will be another banger of an MLR season. A few takeaways from the schedule ... 1) Warm weather cities get first home advantage The AG's host 6 of their first 8 games (and thus travel for 6 of the remaining 8 to end the year). This can work wonders for teams that want to get a hot start and a foothold in the table. Texas weather in February tends to be quite nice (pending random cold fronts that have been known to tax the energy grid), so Rugby PickEm may be looking to catch the opener come Feb 5. 2) Three seeds for each conference (with a built in bye to the semis) Six out of the 13 teams will make the playoffs in 2022. The Eastern division will field 6 teams, whereas the Western division will field 7. Does this make it harder to make the playoffs in the West? Statistically speaking, perhaps ... but we have to see which conference looks more powerful after about 4 weeks worth of gameplay (we'll check back in on East v West in March). Last year the East was significantly stronger than the West top to bottom. Will it be the same this year? How serious will Dallas' first year squad be? Another significant change: Number 1 seeds will get a bye week straight into the Semi Finals. The built in bye week for the 1st seeds will hopefully incite competition down to the very final week. The Giltinis had won the west in 2021 with about 4 weeks to go. They essentially ran away with it. Perhaps adding another team into the playoffs will keep those teams in the middle of the table more competitive towards the latter end of the year. 3) Playoffs in June Love this. Why wait until July where Eagles and other test players are being taken away from their teams? This will allow national selectors to hone in on the final weeks of the regular season and playoffs to see which young players are able to throw their hand up and demand selection in big games. The spotlight creates pressure, and from pressure you get diamonds. Let's hope a few diamonds reveal themselves in the buildup to a crucial RWC qualifying summer in 2022. Three Teams, One Cup The Texas Cup is a Rugby PickEm favorite event. However, we did have to educate Tommy NoPiks on what "Cup Matches" actually entail. With Dallas' entry into the fold (officially this time), there are now more possibilities than ever with 3 teams actively vying for the illustrious hardware throughout the year. Can Dallas get their hands on it in week 1 against a strong AG's side? Hoisting the Texas Cup would certainly be a great way to start a franchise (officially this time). If Austin wins the opener, there won't be a follow up Texas Cup game until 8 weeks later when the Houston SaberCats roll into Bold Stadium on April 3rd. BUT .... if somehow Dallas does the improbable and beats the AG's, they'll have to defend the Texas Cup just two weeks later. If the MLR is nailing anything, it's slick schedule releases in the middle of the offseason ... and the glorious Texas Cup. PICKEM!

The USA Women's Eagles head to Europe to play Ireland and England on the back of two defeats to Canada. Monday's crowd was lively considering it was cold enough to freeze your fingertips. Multiple hot chocolates sold out on a brisk night in Denver. The Eagles struggled in the lineout , but excellent goal kicking allowed the Eagles to keep the game close. However, they could not produce the go ahead try. Final score, 15-9. The second game was played 5 days later, on a lovely Friday night at Infinity Park. The crowd was boisterous and both teams sought to play a more expansive version of their attack. In the end the Canadians repeated as the victors 23-16. Rugby PickEm & crew were in attendance for both games and unilaterally agree that the crowd got much louder that it had been all fall test season. Shoutout to the Denver based fans that made it out to witness some hard nosed rugby. Both teams now head across the Atlantic to close out their autumn tour. The Americans finish with the Irish and the English. The English women's team is rolling after back to back defeats of the Black Ferns. The Canadians closeout their fall with matchups against England and Wales. PICKEM!

It took a whole month for the Rugby PickEm triumvirate to return to the same studio, but the stars aligned this week and Uncle Johnny and Tommy NoPiks returned to the show. We had left our last episode on the eve of the second leg of USA vs. Uruguay. Obviously, the results went the way of the Southern Hemisphere challenger as Uruguay cleaned up at home, winning the second leg by a score of 34-15. The final score on the aggregate (50-34) solidified Uruguay's spot in Pool A as Americas 1. Congrats to a well deserved Uruguay team that earned their spot and have been THE exciting tier 2 team in the past RWCs. With Chile defeating Canada in their home/away series, Canada has now been eliminated in their RWC 2023 qualifying efforts. It will be the first time the Canadian Men's Rugby team has not qualified for a Rugby World Cup. The shockwaves reverberated through the Provinces, and Canadian Rugby twitter was big mad. The Eagles will now have to wait a full year before they resume their RWC qualification against Chile next summer. It will be another home / away aggregate, with the winner claiming the Americas 2 spot, the final spot in Pool D (England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Americas 2). Onto the 1874 Cup (still can't figure out the relevance of 1874 ... but oh well) ... The All Blacks defeated the Eagles 104-14 in a game in that most believe should (or should not?) have been played. The NZRU took the majority of the revenue split, and the USA Rugby fanbase find them selves wondering what is was all for? Should we keep valiantly lining up against tier 1 teams? Or first figure out how to handle our fellow Tier 2 competitors. The only thing in full agreement was that Will Jordan is an absolute rocket of an All Black, and will continue to score tries at will during this Northern Hemisphere tour. Lastly, the USA Women's Eagles face off against Canada Women's Rugby on Monday night, 6pm at Infinity Park. Rugby PickEm bought 10 tickets and will give them out to any fan in the Denver area! Get your asses out to Glendale and support this team! PICKEM!

The Eagles are a home/away series vs. Uruguay away from qualifying for the Americas 1 spot in the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. After a scintillating win at Glendale two weeks ago against Canada, the Eagles showed they can win with their backs against the wall overcoming a -15 point deficit against the men in red. Saturday night, they'll be without AJ MacGinty their first form five-eight. Oddly enough, the lineup involves 5 MLR forwards all from the Eastern Conference (... 3 from RUNY, 2 from NOLA) AND 5 MLR backs all from the Western Conference (3 Gilgronis, 1 Warriors, 1 Seawolves). Isn't that ODD? Can the Eagles win these next two games against Los Teros ??? We certainly hope so ... can you imagine how great it would be to watch USA play France IN France? Even a chance to upset the host team would be a great opportunity for the Eagles. Or even a chance to square off against the haka in a RWC? How good mate???? Premier Rugby Sevens in Memphis will be exciting. There's plenty of USA 7's capped Eagles sprinkled into the mix, along with some other up and coming 7's talent. And how about those team names?! -Experts -Headliners -Loggerheads -Locals -Loonies -The Team Here's the teams we're riding with for October 9th: Uncle Johnny - Headliners Tommy NoPiks - Loonies Bt - Loggerheads See you all at Infinity Park Saturday for a ton of rugby action: 10am - USA Pathways Academy vs. 404 Academy (turf) Noon - Denver Barbarians vs. Denver Waterdogs (turf) 2:30pm - American Raptors vs. Seattle Rugby Club (stadium) 6:00pm - USA vs. Uruguay (stadium) PICKEM! Update on Tommy's Tik Tok Project .... "It will drop this weekend, for sure".

Carly Waters recently signed with Saracen's Women's in North London, and brings an exciting, tempo based skill set across the pond from her time playing in the states. She spent the last decade honing her skills here in the states, and has excelled through the ranks of Women's Rugby in the USA. Waters doesn't just do her job, she does it right and she raises the level of play around her. Both on and off the field, she continually coaches, mentors and most importantly backs her teammates. After grinding through a tough season commuting through America's most notorious turnpike (The New Jersey Turnpike), she got the call from Rob Cain and Kate Daley. and was invited to participate in a USA Eagle camp. She seized her opportunity, grinded through some brutal fitness and was eventually was selected for her first cap (above, against the Black Ferns, in Soldier Field).... in sheer shock she responded ..."Are You Sure?" 😂 After having the Women's Rugby World Cup in NZ pushed back an entire year, Carly has been chomping at the bit. It's hard to put your entire career / life / plans on hold for 12 months, but she's going to get an amazing opportunity with Saracens to refine her craft as we count down the days until the Women compete in Aotearoa later on in 2022. Carly's #Top3 Kate Daley - XV's Coach, Carly's coach at Penn State Bui Baravilala - Great teammate, uses creativity and field vision Meya Bizer - The Human Sledgehammer Rugby PickEm wishes Carly the best across the pond .... and guess who got named in the first lineup of the year?!?!?! She could make her debut tomorrow!

Introducing Rugby Rent Scholarships. This was a long-time in the making, an idea that's resonating for years before finally being turned into a reality. Our Mission: Provide affordable housing to rugby players who want to grow on and off the pitch. We also believe in 4 Core Pillars: 1) Play Rugby 2) Develop Career Skills 3) Volunteer in the Community 4) Mentorship If you'd like to learn more about what we offer, please head to our website --> www.rugbyrentscholarships.com I hope you enjoy my first attempt at a solo podcast ... more exciting rugby content to follow this fall season. 2021 has been a wild ride, and I can not wait for what lies ahead.