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Austin's Rugby scene isn't exactly backing the Elite as is. Some are openly hostile. Which could be the source of this rumour as a means of subversion on certain peoples behalf. But say if it is true they have Cashman Field in Vegas that would work out well for them. It's being reconfigured for Soccer/Rugby at present at being primarily used for Baseball up until it's previous primary resident moved to a new stadium. Nothing wrong with the facility either. Actually looks really nice. But the Baseball team didn't own it outright and weren't super happy about other sports being played there.
The other issue for Austin is that it's Rugby scene isn't all that big to start with. Two primary clubs plus UoT. Both Houston and Dallas have much larger and growing scenes. Honestly, Austin wasn't the best place for a team to start with.
It was an abridged season. Only 10 regular season games. They beat Glendale in the Championship game. Both teams are somewhat struggling in the early stages so far this season. The competition stepped up their recruitment and preparation in response and at the moment they are struggling to get used to the increased levels of parity in the competition. They are still very competitive. All the games have been so far this season but where they would have been able to hit another gear and overcome their opposition last season. This season as it turns out. Their opposition has that gear as well.
He he. Jargs the Seattle fan man.![]()
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
Can anybody find any reference to Major League Rugby in USA being sanctioned by World Rugby?
Is is possible that Major League Rugby us actually a "rebel" competition?
As I understand it, MLR was not officially sanctioned by USAR for the start of the 2018 season - and therefore was not sanctioned by WR either.
This, however, was not due to a lack of support from USAR. The reason was that PRO Rugby, the failed predecessor competition for professional rugger in the US, still had time remaining in their three year sanctioned agreement with USAR. Doug Schroninger, the owner of PRO, would have sued.
A link.
So MLR went ahead with all teams treated as "touring sides" (or some such malarkey) for Round 1. A "rebel" comp! The old agreement expired 20 April. Season kicked off 21 April, and USAR sanctioning was approved by vote on 26 April in time for Round 2. There was then a 90-day fine tuning period (i.e longer than the 2018 season) for the sanctioning.
I assume it was later approved by WR, as pro contracts had to be submitted to WR.
But I don't have any reference for you about that.
Last edited by Kiap; 13-02-19 at 22:38.
Pretty sure that due to US law the national sporting governing body isn’t permitted to run their own professional league and own franchises so they have little to do with MLR. They probably sanctioned it so their registered players are insured and they would have to provide referees.
When a competition is run and features teams from one jurisdiction it doesn’t need IRB approval. With a Canadian team now in the comp Rugby Canada would have to sanction their participation then it goes to the IRB as MLR becomes a cross border comp.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
No. It is not nor has ever been a 'rebel' competition. It is recognised and sanctioned by USA Rugby. The reason it launched without it wasn't due to some kind of political issues with the governing body between the the two. It was because USA Rugby had to allow for the existing sanctioning for PRO Rugby to elapse before it could make things official. The league has had the Union and WR support from day one.