MLR Week 1 Recap

Old Glory DC @ Miami Sharks

The game started great for OGDC as Axel Muller scored 2 tries in 20 minutes, aided by a 4th minute red card to Miami prop Alec McDonnell. From there the script flipped, as Miami scored 4 straight tries before Koikoi Nelligan finally broke DC's scoring drought in the 68th minute. At the restart Miami held a 12 point lead with 10 minutes to go, before disaster struck. Back to back yellows to Cubilla and Ardao left Miami with 13, and a 75th minute converted try left DC five points back of the draw. Miami controlled possession when the clock went red, but the box kick kick out was charged down and DC took possession. A floating crossfield kick should've been regathered by Miami, but Elias mishandled it and it bounced straight to Muller for the hattrick and the tie, which Jason Robertson converted for the win. DC gets the full 5 while Miami must settle for 2 points on the table, and will be kicking themselves.

Anthem RC @ NOLA Gold

NOLA's first game with Danny Lee as Head Coach, and Anthem's first game with their new retooled roster left a lot of questions about how the game would go. NOLA came out firing, quick hands led to French newcomer Xavier Mignot dotting down a try in the 4th minute. It appeared as though Anthem settled and fought back with a game tying maul try, but it was called back for obstruction and the wheels fell off for Anthem. NOLA rattled off four consecutive tries and led 35-0 after 50 minutes. Former Jackal Makeen Alikhan put Anthem on the board with a try, and Karl Keane added another but the damage was done. Disappointing show from Anthem who many were hoping to be better. New look NOLA looks like an Eastern Conference contender once again.

Chicago Hounds @ Houston Sabercats

Chicago lost many impact players, including captain center Billy Meakes and USA Eagle flyhalf Luke Carty. Meanwhile, Houston who finished their 2024 campaign 14-2 and top in the league remained largely the same. The game script looked to be set early, as Chicago winger Noah Brown saw a very early yellow, and Sabercat scrumhalf Andre Warner took a quick tap across the tryline, followed shortly by Davy Coetzer slotting a penalty for a 10-0 lead. In the 20th Houston collapsed a maul and saw yellow for it, and Dylan Fawsitt did what he does best and scored on the subsequent maul. Chicago lock James Scott took advantage of a line break and dotted down the try to take the lead. Noah Brown saw a second yellow on a ticky tak call, which led to him being sent off, and Hamish Bain seeing yellow forced Chicago to ride out the first half at 13. After riding out the yellow Chicago scored another try, courtesy of MacLean Jones, to extend their lead. From there, the game turned into a defensive slugfest until Sam Tuifua got the Cats to within 3, but the missed conversion and short clock left them scrambling. Chicago held on and upsets the Cats in Houston.

New England Free Jacks @ RFCLA

The champs travelled to LA to face the new look, and very dangerous RFCLA. LA Flyhalf Christian Leali'ifano and Christian Dyer developed a rapport in the offseason, as Dyer stole the opening kick away from New England. The Jacks fought LA off of the goal line, and in LA's next attack Jed Melvin zeroed in on a floating pass out wide, and took the intercept 50 meters for the try. LA's new scrumhalf, TRC starting Puma Gonzalo Bertranou, was the recipient of an Andrew Coe offload that gave LA their first try and the lead, which would last to the half. New England came out of the sheds quick, as a Le Roux Malan grubber found Paula Balekana for the try, and the lead. Just 5 minutes later 2024 Player of the Year Wayne van der Bank scored his first of the season, and pushed New England to a 24-10 lead. Leali'ifano fought back, and picked from a ruck and darted 7 meters for the try, which he converted, and set the score at 24-17. Free Jack winger Issac Olson saw yellow for an intentional knock, putting New England a man down for the final 10. Their frantic defense got worse when presumtive MOTM Melvin took himself out of contention with a red card. Down to 13 New England fought off LA, turning one turnover into 3 straight minutes of possession to close out the game.

Seattle Seawolves @ San Diego Legion

MLR's Greatest Rivalry, The West Coast Classic, The War in the West, whatever you call it this game just means more, especially since longtime Seawolves cornerstone and USA Eagle Tavite Lopeti moved down south to join the Legion. As defending Western Conference Champions, and with a strong side named, Seattle was going to be a challenge for the Legion. At least that was the expectation. The Legion scored tries at the 3', 7', 13', 27', and 44' taking a 35-0 lead. It took 2 Legion yellows in a 3 minute span for Seattle's Cameron Orr to get them on the board after 57 minutes. Seattle scored again at the 63rd and 73rd but the longshot comeback bid was snuffed out by a 75th minute Connor Tupai try. A try with the clock in the red gave Seattle the try bonus, but they will be massively disappointed that they let this one get away so early.