We're getting back to our roots in 2021. We're putting boots on the ground this season and will try and visit at least four different team venues for live games. With the Colorado Raptors no longer a part of the MLR, the Rugby PickEm crew will look to cash in some frequent flier miles and head out of state to catch some live rugby and find the best fans in the MLR. 

PICKEM!

After being cooped up for nearly a full year, 2021 has to be .....THE YEAR OF THE FAN!

We want to find the Fireman Ed of RUNY, shake the hand of a founding member of the notorious "Cohort", and maybe interview the first ever MLR streaker (... it may or may not be Uncle Johnny). Also ... would love to meet the Commish this year (.... a man can only dream).

As we journey through what will surely be a season full of exciting games (and some boring ones too, after all, the players will be rusty to start), we look forward to sharing our experiences with you, the listeners and readers.

A few things we'll be tracking this season:

Tackle the Numbers; Beat The Machine - When we started our show back in 2018, we knew legalized sports gambling was right around the corner in the US. Well, now it's here. Lucky for us, an MLR Redditor by the name of "OddBallGentleman", created a statistical based website where you can predict the games against the spread (ATS). Anyone can pick winners, but can you Beat The Machine (and do it consistently each week?) ...

Rugby Revealed - Gavin Hickie is a masterclass. Excellent long-form interviews with coaches and front office reps across the MLR. He does a great job of peeling back the curtain on the day to day operational challenges that all the teams face in 2021. After a year away from live rugby, the interviewees are certainly willing to reveal their trade secrets. Great stuff. Hope that Rugby Revealed continues to publish throughout the season.

MLR Reddit - This cesspool of commenters will not let down. If you have a spare 10 mins on the can, get on this reddit sub but try not to get too sucked in ... (next thing you know you're a reddit troll 👹)


PICKEM!

2021 Major League Rugby - YEAR OF THE FAN

Seattle Seawolves

Best Finish: 2X🏆 (Still raining champs)

2021 Home Stadium: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila WA

Best Name: Djustice Sears-Duru

Who Excites Rugby PickEm: Young talent. Aaron Matthews and Tommy Hunkin-Clark may be capped as early as round one when the Seawolves travel to Houston to take on the Sabercats.

Socials: #TogetherWeHunt

Instagram Blue Check: Check

PICKEM!

Seattle Seawolves #TogetherWeHunt

San Diego Legion

Best Finish: 5-0 start in 2020 (before season was cancelled)

2021 Home Stadium: ??? (TBD In Las Vegas ... crossing our fingers for the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium)

Best Name: Keni Nasoqeqe 

Who Excites Rugby PickEm: Joe Pieterson can kick. Good kicking = points. Also is Cole Zarcone an early favorite for Rookie of the Year?

Socials: #WeAreLegion

Instagram: Blue-Check Verified (confirmed by Tommy No Piks)

PICKEM!

San Diego Legion #WeAreLegion

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!

Anthem Rugby Carolinas #Nueroplasticity

Zach Fenoglio, hooker for PRO Rugby Denver of the Professional Rugby Organization, chats with me after a training session. 

Zach Fenoglio Podcast

Migos Bad Boujee Aylen & DIV/IDE Remix

like if u can't die cause u got court tomorrow.

<a href='https://theartistunion.com/tracks/f445a0'>Download for free on The Artist Union</a>

Free Download

Funny News interview!!! [Trap Remix]

John 00 Fleming's Global Trance Grooves March 2019
Edition 192: John 00 Fleming + Emok
 
Tracklist below: 

*** JOOF Editions Brighton (UK). April 21st ***
Hernan Cattaneo
John 00 Fleming
Paul Thomas
Info:
Ticket Link > http://bit.ly/2FV6MEP
Facebook Event Link > https://www.facebook.com/events/321459408491147/

---------------------------------------------------------------------

—— John 00 Fleming  ——— 

Gai Barone - Omuamua [Beatfreak]
Antrim- Experiments (Black 8 Remix)  [onedotsixtwo]
Muhammed felfel - The Eye of Truth (RPO Remix) [RPO Records]
Betoko - Forest Of Love (Stan Kolev & Matan Caspi Remix) [Outta limits]
Narel & Façade - Burn Your Idols (Façade Mix) [Forescape digital]
Paul Thomas - Allegro [FSOEUV]
Aneesh Gera - Solace (Paul Thomas & White-Akre Remix) [FSOEUV]
Basil O'Glue - Theurgy [Somatic Records]
Deep Soul Duo - Redemption [Forescape digital]
The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up (Tribute to Kieth Flint tribute) 


———— Guest mix ——————

Emok (Denmark)

3 of life & Last man standing- Mafrend -SVD remix
Shanti Vs Deedrah, Emok & Martin Vice - Doomed
Outsiders & Sphera - Matter Of Fact
Ace Ventura & Symbolic - The world that you know
Ritmo & Gaudium - Don't Lose ur Mind
Riktam & Bansi - Monolith
Chakra & Edi Mis - X-File(Vini Vici & Chakra Remix)
Liquid Ace - Neurochemistry (Indianix remix)
Shanti Matkin & 3 of Life - Chik Chak
Liquid Soul & Timelock - Children of Earth
Zyce & Sonic Species - Interstellar
Antinomy - A New Dawn
Animato & Off Limits - Basic Ingredients

John 00 Fleming - Global Trance Grooves 192 (+ Emok)

1:30 - Paddy from Providence 

"Hope ya well, first time long time here, ... Gotta ask, isn't the Austin Gabronis and the Los Angeles Crantinis owned by the same guy a bit of a conflict of interest? That's it. Feel free to discus..."

Okay, so everyone has heard that Adam Gilchrist has purchased his second Major League Rugby team. Similar to the Austin based "Gilgronis" (a Texas sized cocktail to be named in the future...), the Los Angeles franchise has been dubbed as the "Giltinis" (a California martini with the perfect amount of smugness). 

But what does this mean for the future of the league? Many American rugby "old boys" who have spent their life trying to legitimize rugby in the states consider the branding a disaster. Others have more of an open mind. After all, Gilchrist did make some serious promises in Austin regarding youth rugby and seems ready to drop some serious coin.

There's no doubt that he has pissed off some some USA rugby fans. I'm sure he'll make his players happy (after all, what aging stars wouldn't want to end their career in L.A. or Austin?), by paying them slightly higher salaries than the rest of the league (the cap is the cap, but there are ways to skirt it .... (stock options, free luxury housing, no show side jobs). 

My guess is that he has certainly rattled some cages within the MLR ownership groups. I'm only speculating here, but if I was an original founder of an MLR team, and all of the sudden a multi-millionare (soon to be BILLIONARE, pending an American I.P.O. of F-45) had purchased not one, but two teams, then re-branded them after cocktails and starting shipping in ex-Wallabies ... I'd probably be a little shook.

But there are probably other ownership groups that are ecstatic to see money poured into the still fledgling league (2.25 seasons under the MLR belt). Remember, the league has MANY years before profitability and after an economic recession, the ownership group as a whole has to be relieved to see Gilchrist back up the Brinks Truck. The question is, .... can their egos handle a young, rich, move-maker like Gilchrist who now has the "hottest" (if we're just going by the 70's neon, vice colors) team in the west.

If Gilchrist follows through on all his USA youth rugby promises in Los Angeles AND Austin ..., and truly does try and grow American talent, then I'm sure people will eventually give in on the alcoholic related branding. Only time will tell.


3:30 - Stewart McClanahanahan 

"Do you Yanks put any value in the theory that if the best athletes in the States picked up a rugby ball, the US would instantly become the best side in the world? Do you buy that ? or is rugby different and is there more skill involved. Something to think about while your stuck at home staring at your own Grogan.

7:00 - Guru

"Are people training for 7's yet? Running, spacing, kicking the ball, perhaps some Fiji flair? Can you train and social distance? Also, great (rugby) book: Trinity by Leon Uris"

Shoutout to the Guru, thanks for calling ... (again). Right now only New Zealand is ready to start playing rugby again. Lucky for us, as far as rugby quality goes, the kiwis are simply the best.

12:25 - Caller Ceesh

"Will the Gilgronis and Giltinis be throwing games to each other, and does this undermine the entire MLR?

We hopped back in and discussed this at length (more so about the alcohol branding). Uncle Johnny raises a great point ... if branding and selling drinks is the primary goal, what will the quality on the field look like? TommyNoPiks also raises the idea that if we cater to fans that love drinking, we may be pushing away families with kids, etc ... 

Plenty more to come in the Gilchrist era of the MLR, but stay tuned for our call with MLR draft prospect (and Central Washington LEGEND) Cole Zarcone

The Giltinis Debate

This #RugbyPickEm Voicemail show isn't too serious (or is it?) as the lads discuss the future of Hong Kong 7's given the new political situation. The Guru called into the show and inquired about how the rugby community can stand in unity with the free people of Hong Kong.

Given the nature and history of H.K. 7's, it is sad to see the island begin to get swallowed up by the Chinese Communist Party through the recent security law. Expats and Westerners flock to the city for the full week of electric 7's with the final 3 days played in a simple, yet elegant, stadium carved right into the mountain. If the mainland Chinese practices are any indication, it's highly unlikely that the infamous South Stands will ever be as intoxicating as it has been in the past. That being said, the global pandemic has created issues for the entire HSBC 7's circuit (not just HK) given its requirement for open, unhindered international travel. If fans can't travel, it will be hard to hold profitable events. If the athletes and coaches can't travel, it just won't happen at all. England and Wales have already cut their 7's programs, and more are expected. 

Rugby PickEm loves 7's and is hopeful that the sport will work its way back to a full schedule. Tournament organizers and World Rugby have a tough track ahead of them, but a good start would be a successful, Japan hosted, 2021 Summer Olympics (where 7's is now an event, reinstated after being discontinued in 1924).

The crew also discussed Kanaloa Rugby's bid to become the newest MLR franchise to join the league. The MLR will be entering its 4th year, and some people tend to think expanding all the way out to Hawaii is a bit too much too early. Given that the group is backed by 6 former ABs and will be the first professional rugby team in Polynesia, owned by Polynesians, makes the bid unique. 

The group has promised to cover the flight costs from California to Hawaii for visiting teams, and will secure housing for all of their players. Let's hope the MLR accepts their bid so another part of the rugby world is opened up to young rugby fans. It would also make for a good excuse to stop by the beautiful 50th state. 

PICKEM!

Future Of HK 7's, Kanaloa Hawaii MLR Bid

The MLR is bacc. Well, in 6 months. Commish Killebrew announced an exciting return to rugby in March of 2021. 16 games, Semis, Finals. Simple.

Jodi from San Diego

"What's up, my Rugby PickEm baes. It's Jody from San Diego. And I just heard the news that the MLR is back. I'm fired up for my Legion this year not because of the high-profile signings like ... uh ... that Chris Robshaw guy, and not because the cheeky old Eddie Jones has agreed to help us out in the front office, but the real reason I can not wait is because it's been a full freakin year since I got to put on my medieval armor that I forged myself in my garage. And ... We also have the best freaking fans .... I'm talking about THE COHORT baby March 20th 2021 cannot come soon enough. We are legion."

Jodi, thanks for the call. We expect big things from the Legion next year, but we expect even BIGGER things from the Cohort.

Austin from Charlotte, NC

"Yes, hi. My name is Austin calling from Charlotte North Carolina. My question is if you could invest in any of the MLR our teams, which one do you think would get the most return on investment and why?"
Hypothetically, an MLR team will let you invest (let's say 5%) as a minority stakeholder... wyd?

Tommy No Piks:

1) Kanaloa Rugby - Hawaii

Didn't meet the goal of joining the MLR in 2021, but the door is open for the future. Tommy NoPiks thinks there's value in investing early (big risk, big reward). 

2) Dallas Jackals

Tommy likes the fact that Marc Cuban is a fractional shareholder, and apparently Tommy doesn't need to see the product before he buys. Investing in two teams that have yet to play a game .... (dream big Tommy, dream big)

Uncle Johnny:

1) Rugby United New York - RUNY

Might cost you a little bit more, but Johnny trusts the people involved in New York. He's buying into a little piece of Wall St.

2) Dallas Jackals

Year 1 is in Globe Park (good luck filling 48k seats). Year 2 and beyond will hopefully be played at Riverchon Park (pending a refurbishing). Johnny is slightly concerned about THREE teams in Texas sucking the local player pool dry.

We all know that everything is BIGGER in Texas, but has the rugby been better?

We ran the #'s and it doesn't look good for Texas as a whole so far through 2.25 seasons of Major League Rugby. A combined 12 - 45 - 1 record starting with Austin losing the inaugural MLR opener to Glendale back in 2018. Any proud Texan would admit that a 20.7% winning percentage is dogshit through 58 games.

Bt:

1) Austin Gilgronis

2) LA Giltinis

Capital is everything, and the league wouldn't have accepted Gilchrist's bid to take over, not 1, but TWO teams if he didn't have the capital to back it long term. If I'm parking my money in a franchise, I might as well go all in with the most wealthy owner in the MLR. 

Johnny kindly reminded me that we've seen a financial "big-shot" come in and promise the world before ... 

We'll have Adam Gilchrist on the show one day and see if he's a "rugby guy" or not ..... either way, happy his $ is floating the league for another couple years.

Paddy from Providence

"Hey, this is Patty from Providence calling you back. Thanks for answering my question last time. Hey got a quick question. I know there's a lot of Twittah beef in the N.B.A ... these are not the days of Walter McCarty and Antoine Walkah the beloved #8 of my beloved Boston Celtics, but hey wondering thought I saw something. I saw some Shenanigans with on MLR Twittah. So wanted to hear about that see if you had any thoughts. Thanks, and talk to you soon."

We go into more details on the mic, but who could forget when two-MLR Champion Peter Tiberio came from the top rope and dunked on the San Diego Legion's social media intern after they continued to insist that the Legion were the "uncrowned" champs of 2020.

Hey unpaid social media intern, .... don't forget:

"You Don't Win Championships in the Regular Season"

MLR Is Bacc ... Ish ... Soon ... Ish

Talkin' Rugby, Tellin' Stories, Rugby PickEm

Anthem Rugby Carolinas #Nueroplasticity

Rugby PickEm

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