Rugby Wrap Up

**MLR Weekly** — your weekly look at the biggest stories shaping American rugby.

NEW YORK, NY - 🏉 The American rugby landscape had some big end-of-summer stories/names, and our crack MLR Weekly staff has it all for for you. Big moves, rising stars, coaching shakeups and college rugby are all on the table!

🔥 **Featured Guest:

Luke Gross joins us to discuss his historic appointment as the first USA Rugby General Manager for Collegiate Rugby — and what it means for the future of the college game.

☕️ **Rugby Morning's Coffee Break**

Major League Rugby coaching changes are here. John Fitzpatrick breaks down the moves with Old Glory DC & the California Legion, plus the impact and what comes next.

🇺🇸 **Wendy Young**

Freda Tafuna's star is rising! Wendy Young on Tafuna and the crazy **WXV**.

🎓 **College Rugby Corner**

Zach "Maverick" Lanning brings the latest recaps, storylines and a look ahead at what's next in college rugby.

➡️ The Rugby Odds: Be sure to check out this week's episode re: Boks Beaten by 11, WXV, Disappointing URC Irish teams, Premiership epic, Wallabies rise, Freda Tafuna, NPC & Top14

🔗 LINK: https://rugbywrapup.com/2026/09/the-rugby-odds-best-toughest-11-beat-boks-wxv-thrillers-prem-epic-irish-tank-in-urc-top14-grass-npc/

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The. Rugby. Odds. (Group of Odd pundits) 🏉 — Season 6, Episode 46

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - WOW!!! We still can't move after that unbelievably CRAZY Wallabies win over the Springboks. Indeed, we've got visions of refs on cellphones, 4 Aussies in the Sin Bin and electric plays spinning in our heads. Out All-Star panel is here to make sense of it all, along with the wondrous WXV, rousing openings for the Premiership & URC, Top14 upsets and NPC playoffs looming.

🎙️ THE PANEL

🏆 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby champion

☘️ George Hook – Ireland's fearless pundit with absolutely no filter

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3-time Olympic 7s coach & tactical mastermind

🌍 King Gift Egbelu – Rugby evangelist & inventor of... words

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Steve Lewis - 2X USA Rugby Coach of the Year

🎤 Matt McCarthy – Host desperately trying to keep the train on the tracks

🔥 THIS WEEK'S SHOW:

👀 What Caught Your Eye?

• 4 Yellow Cards in 5 minutes?!

• Red Roses Stun Black Ferns

• Irish provinces poop play

• WXV thrillers

• USA's rising star

• Aussie's now RWC 2027 contenders?

• North Harbor to Make Mike Friday smile?

• Racing 92's egregious grass

⭐ Player of the Week

Who deserves the honors?

•George Hendy

•Seb Atkinson

•Tristan Tedder

•Ryan Lonergan

💪 Grown A$$ Man

The toughest of the tough:

•Johnny Lee

•Freda Tafuna

•Max Jorgensen

📰 Headlines with George Hook

•11 Angry Aussies

•Does Less Kiss know how to defuse Bomb Squad?

•Eliminate yellow cards

🔮 Prognostications

🏆 WXV

🏆 URC

🏆 Premiership

🏆 Top14

🏆 NPC

🏆 Picks of the Week

👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for weekly rugby talk with personality.

AND DON'T MISS... MLR Weekly, Seattle Seawolves CEO Jo Anne Anderson

Find All Here:

-Web: http://www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp

@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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The Rugby Odds (Group of Odd pundits) 🏉 — Season 6, Episode 45

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - The big international "friendly" in the men's game is down under, with the Aussies hosting South Africa. We've also got the three European leagues going, the URC, Premiership and Top14... Which means there's plenty to talk about. But that aforementioned friendly spurred two main questions:

1) Is Rassie Erasmus the best coach ever?

2) Can the Wallabies actually knock off the Springboks?

🎙️ THE PANEL

🏆 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby champion

☘️ George Hook – Ireland's fearless pundit with absolutely no filter

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3-time Olympic 7s coach & tactical mastermind

🌍 King Gift Egbelu – Rugby evangelist & inventor of... words

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Steve Lewis - 2X USA Rugby Coach of the Year

🎤 Matt McCarthy – Host desperately trying to keep the train on the tracks

🔥 THIS WEEK'S SHOW:

👀 What Caught Your Eye?

• Shaun Edwards to the Red Roses

• JBL wants Eddie Jones & Japan to swap with Team USA

• Wild WXV results

• Canada suddenly significant

⭐ Player of the Week

Who deserves the honors?

•Maxime Lucu

•Kathryn Treder

•Robert du Preez

💪 Grown A$$ Man

The toughest of the tough:

•Eric Marks

•Tom Willis

•Oli Mathis

📰 Headlines with George Hook

•Is Rassie the Best Coach Ever

•Top 3 Coaches

•Ireland losing to the USA

🔮 Prognostications

🏆 Wallabies vs Boks

🏆 URC

🏆 Premiership

🏆 Top14

🏆 NPC

🏆 Picks of the Week

👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for weekly rugby talk with personality.

AND DON'T MISS... MLR Weekly, Seattle Seawolves CEO Jo Anne Anderson

Find All Here:

-Web: http://www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp

@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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NEW YORK, NY - This episode of MLR Weekly features:

-Seattle President/CEO Jo Anne Anderson

-Wendy Young of YSC Rugby re College Rugby issues & WXV updates

-John Fitzpatrick of Rugby Morning re Team USA in the Pacific Nations Cup

-Steve Lewis on South Africa vs NZ in Baltimore: Will it help grow rugby in the USA?

Don't miss the popular The Rugby Odds: Are these Springboks the best team ever? What yesteryear team could beat them?

Please share and join our weekly newsletter: http://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/

Find All Here:

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-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp

@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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#USARugby #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2020 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #TheRugbyOdds

Find All Here:

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-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp

@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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The Rugby Odds (Group of Odd pundits) 🏉 — Season 6, Episode 44

BALTIMORE, MD - What an event it was for the Springboks and All Blacks in the NFL Ravens' park. And there's MUCH to cover. Our panel handled it for you in 24 brisk/brimming minutes.

🎙️ THE PANEL

🏆 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby champion

☘️ George Hook – Ireland's fearless pundit with absolutely no filter

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3-time Olympic 7s coach & tactical mastermind

🌍 King Gift Egbelu – Rugby evangelist & inventor of... words

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Steve Lewis - 2X USA Rugby Coach of the Year

🎤 Matt McCarthy – Host desperately trying to keep the train on the tracks

🔥 THIS WEEK'S SHOW

👀 What Caught Your Eye?

• TMO Replay "shenanigans" in Boks vs All Blacks match

• Rusty Richie Mo'unga

• Fiji women make

• 68,173 fans in Baltimore

•La Rochelle 2-0 vs top teams

•Japan smokes USA

⭐ Player of the Week

Who deserves the honors?

•Kalvin Gourgues

•Morne Van Den Berg

•Kurt-Lee Arendse

💪 Grown A$$ Man

The toughest of the tough:

•Eben Etzebeth

•Ethan Blackadder

•Damien De Allende

📰 Headlines with George Hook

•Are the Boks the best team ever?

•Teams that could beat these Boks

•Is the "Greatest Rivalry" name legitimate?

🔮 Prognostications

🏆 Top14

🏆 NPC

🏆 Picks of the Week

👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for weekly rugby talk with personality.

AND DON'T MISS... MLR Weekly, Seattle Seawolves CEO Jo Anne Anderson, John Fitzpatrick re Eagles in Japan, Wendy Young on College mess and Steve Lewis with Springboks vs NZ in Baltimore.

Find All Here:

-Web: http://www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp

@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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#USARugby #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2020 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #TheRugbyOdds

MLR Weekly: College Rugby Debate Continued with Alex Goff (CRAA) & Pat Clifton (NCR) & Eagles News by Matt McCarthy

The Rugby Odds (Group of Odd pundits) 🏉 — Season 6, Episode 43

NEW YORK, NY - There is SO MUCH going on in rugby, including another round of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. Our panel, featuring guest contributor Steve Lewis (Elevate-Rugby.com), touches it all in just 24 minutes!

🎙️ THE PANEL

🏆 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby champion

☘️ George Hook – Ireland's fearless pundit with absolutely no filter

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3-time Olympic 7s coach & tactical mastermind

🌍 King Gift Egbelu – Rugby evangelist & inventor of... words

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Steve Lewis - 2X USA Rugby Coach of the Year

🎤 Matt McCarthy – Host desperately trying to keep the train on the tracks

🔥 THIS WEEK'S SHOW

👀 What Caught Your Eye?

• Cam Roigard diving

• Le Garrec vs Dupont

• O'Gara to Leinster

⭐ Player of the Week

Who deserves the honors?

•Nolann Le Garrec

•Jesse Kriel

•Cooper Flanders

💪 Grown A$$ Man

The toughest of the tough:

•Malcolm Marx

•Fraser McReight

•Ruan Nortje

📰 Headlines with George Hook

•Boks and All Blacks in the USA! What it means.

•Magnificent Manie Libbok!

🔮 Prognostications

🏆 Greatest Rivalry

🏆 Currie Cup

🏆 Top14

🏆 NPC

👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for weekly rugby talk with personality.

AND DON'T MISS... MLR Weekly, with debate re the College Rugby mess, with experts Pat ClifTon & Alex Goff.

Find All Here:

-Web: http://www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp

@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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#USARugby #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2020 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting

WASHINGTON, DC - It may have been a sleepy, summer week outside, but that didn't keep Major League Rugby from making some news with it 2026 MLR Draft. And the MLR Weekly staff "battled" through visits to the beach and mountains to stay on top of it, even getting an exclusive with the #1 pick overall (Old Glory, DC). Logan Bellinger of Life University.

PLUS, we have an important follow-up with Shane Young, CEO of the U.S. Rugby Foundation.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST is the return of John Fitzpatrick from his L.A. walkabout to recap the draft with Matt McCarthy. The duo also bring you up to speed on the Eagles and their upcoming matches overseas.

And... Be sure to watch the The Rugby Odds: https://rugbywrapup.com/category/the-rugby-odds/

📩 Subscribe for weekly rugby updates: [https://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/

🏉 Tag a rugby mate!

Please share and join our weekly newsletter: http://rugbywrapup.com/weekly-updates/

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@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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The Rugby Odds 🏉 — Season 6, Episode 42

NEW YORK, NY - Wow. Rugby's Greatest Rivalry has certainly lived up to its billing, and our esteemed/eclectic panel covers it all - including scrums. And then there's the Argentina vs Australia, the Currie Cup, NPC & Top14 kicking off. They cover those entities as well, in just 24 minutes!

🎙️ THE ECLECTIC ENSEMBLE

🏆 John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) – WWE Hall of Famer & rugby champion

☘️ George Hook – Ireland's fearless pundit with absolutely no filter

🇬🇧 Mike Friday – 3-time Olympic 7s coach & tactical mastermind

🌍 King Gift Egbelu – Rugby evangelist & inventor of... words

🎤 Matt McCarthy – Host desperately trying to keep the train on the tracks

🔥 THIS WEEK'S SHOW

Panel Record: 9-11

•Who got the Golden Sombrero?

👀 What Caught Your Eye?

• Boks and All Blacks saving rugby?!

• Mike Friday on Greatest Rivalry scrum fiasco

• King Egbelu on "nail-bitieness"

• Rugby wins George Hook back!

• Top14 back already?! O'Gara vs Dupont

• Aussie road warriors to sweep take Pumas?

• Griquas to win Currie Cup?

⭐ Player of the Week

Who deserves the honors?

•Max Jorgensen

•WIll Jordan

•Joe Johnston

💪 Grown A$$ Man

The toughest of the tough:

•Malcolm Marx

•Fraser McReight

•Joaquin Moro

📰 Headlines with George Hook

•Rassie ruffling Rennie's feathers?

•Take the points!

🔮 Predictions

🏆 Greatest Rivalry

🏆 Argentina v Australia

🏆 Top14, Currie Cup, NPC

👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe for weekly rugby talk with personality.

AND DON'T MISS... MLR Weekly with the #1 MLR Draft pick Logan Bellinger & US Rugby Foundation CEO Shane Young.

Find All Here:

-Web: http://www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp

@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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#USARugby #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2020 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting

The Rugby Odds 🏉 — Season 6, Episode 41

NEW YORK, NY - There's absolute chaos in the South Africa right now - which means the world is too!

Now worries, or All-Star panel will calm you and steer you to less foggy environs - NEW YORK, NY - There's absolute chaos in the South Africa right now - which means the world is too!

Now worries, or All-Star panel will calm you and steer you to less foggy environs - in just 25 minutes - even with pinch-hit host Zach Lanning at the helm.

OR WILL THEY?! Tune in to find out.

🎙️ THE PANEL:

John Bradshaw Layfield: #WWE legend & passionate rugby advocate. And he likes chicken. A lot.

George Hook: Fearless Irish pundit with zero filter

Mike Friday: 3X Olympic 7s coach and tactical mastermind

King Gift Egbelu: Inventor of Words and rugby evangelist

Matt McCarthy: Heroic host holding it together. Sort of.

WHAT'S INSIDE:

What Caught Your Eye?

• All Blacks slap South Africa into reality

•John & Mike no-shows: Coup? Cowardice? 🤔

• Rassie's underdogs?!

•Give and take of young Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

•Northland crush Canterbury 36-12, win Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 17,509 days

•Griquas and Cheetahs secure home semifinals

🏆 Player of the Week

Who deserves the honors?

•Jordie Barrett

•Braxton Sorensen-McGee

•Rob Rush

💪 Grown A$$ Man

The toughest of the tough:

•The All Blacks - yeah, the whole team

•Jasper Wiese

•Henry Bell

AND DON'T MISS... MLR Weekly with the movers & shakers of American Rugby

Find All Here:

-Web: http://www.RugbyWrapUp.com

-Twitter: https://twitter.com/RugbyWrapUp

@RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @LanningZach, @ColbyMarshall2, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.

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#USARugby #MajorLeagueRugby #RugbyWrapUp #OldGlory #RugbyATL #MLR2020 #SixNations #WorldRugby #SuperRugby #Top14 #PremiershipRugby #Pro14 #URC #UnitedRugbyChampionship #RugbyOdds #RugbyBetting