MLR Kickoff

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 Andrew Douglas of Old Glory ahead of the 2020 MLR Season. Cory discusses that journey and his development over the past three seasons. 

Rugby 101- Pete discusses crossover development and their role to play in bringing more high quality athletes into the American rugby space.

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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 to the Pacific Pride and the Arrows in the uncertain pandemic period. 

Rugby 101- A Scrum-Half Playing behind a strong pack.

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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 the Summer of 2020. Connor discusses his first year of seasoning playing behind Andy Ellis and Connor McManus and the development that provided him to win the starting scrum-half shirt in NY's season opener when they went on the road in week 2 to win 10-12 against the Houston SaberCats. 

In Rugby 101 Pete breaks down "winning the contact".

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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 their Summer tour to England and Ireland ahead of the MLR Draft. Joining Dan and Pete, Lopeti discusses the methodical way in which he works on himself and his focus on and off the field. 

On Rugby 101 Pete discusses when to kick and when not to kick. 

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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 player in US College Rugby winning the Scholz Award. He recounts this in his interview with Dan Power and the feeling of Draft Day getting selected second overall by the Houston SaberCats. 

Pete Digs into Rugby 101 with "Getting Over The Line."

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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 continues the set-piece breakdown series of the lineout with, What is a Lineout?

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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 Dallas Texas in MLR instead of fully retiring after playing his entire professional career with his childhood club.

In Rugby 101, Pete Steinberg breaks down "Why there are Lineouts?"

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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 evolution as a player from wanting to play every week when he returned to the Brumbies in 2010 and now wanting to mentor young players, especially American players and grow the game.

Rugby 101, after discussing Why There Was a Scrum, Pete now digs into exactly "What is a Scrum"?

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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 cultural changes from New Zealand, to Japan, and now New York City that has helped him and his family thrive. Dan Power also takes the Time Machine and we learn about Andy's Boy Band days in Canterbury.

In Rugby 101 Pete breaks down "Why is there a Scrum?"

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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 US Eagle Nate Augspurger will be the focus as he’s someone who will remain involved in the game in some capacity in 2031.

Pete Discusses "What is a Breakdown" for Rugby 101. And Dan and Pete preview week 2 with a key match up for the first MLR Match in BC- TOR v LA.

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