League: Major League Rugby

Founded in 2017 with it’s inaugural season played in 2018, Major League Rugby (MLR) is the highest level of professional rugby in North America.

2021 – RD 13: LA Giltinis v Houston SaberCats

The LA Giltinis host the Houston SaberCats as the men from the Lone Star State travel to the pacific.

The travel may have taken it out of the ‘Cats, because this game was very much a one-way affair. A consolation try towards the end of the game was the only time that Houston got on the board and by that point, the Giltinis had already passed the half century.

The final score of 52-5 set a new MLR record for the largest winning margin in league history (47), just surpassing the previous record set by the Toronto Arrows against Seattle (45) set earlier in 2021. This record would stand until Round 11 of the 2022 MLR season, when the Austin Gilgronis would defeat the Dallas Jackals by a score of 3-57, a margin of victory of 54pts.

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2021 – RD 13: Austin Gilgronis v Toronto Arrows

The Toronto Arrows head to Austin to take on the Gilgronis at a scorching Bold Stadium.

The Arrows scoring the first points through a Spencer Jones penalty, but by the half time whistle the AGs led 19-8 and like the weather, stayed red hot in the second half. The Gilgronis ran in 4 tries in the second half, only allowing the Arrows in for 2 tries in the last 10 minutes to make the scoreline look a little more respectable for the Canadian outfit, but it was still a tough day out for Toronto. AG took the win by a score of 47-21.

The 47pts scored by Austin was the most points ever conceded by the Toronto Arrows, and is the first time they have suffered 3 losses in a row. On the other hand Luke Schlotman became the first American player to play for the Arrows, after coming in as injury cover from Rugby ATL, Toronto’s ‘roommates’ for 2021. Luke Schlotman featured for the Arrows in this game, and was the only US player to play for the Arrows in their 5 seasons in MLR.

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2021 – RD 13: Utah Warriors v San Diego Legion

Fans at Zion’s Bank Stadium were treated to a real try-fest as the Utah Warriors hosted the San Diego Legion in a Western Conference clash!

A total of 12 tries were scored throughout the game, divided evenly between the two sides. Both teams scored over 40pts and the only thing to separate the sides were two automatic conversions scored by Utah, as the Warriors’ penalty was cancelled out by a Joe Pietersen drop goal.

With a combined 86pts scored, this game was the 2nd highest-scoring game of the 2021 MLR season, and was one of the top 5 highest scoring MLR games ever until late in the 2022 season.

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2021 – RD 12: Seattle Seawolves v Utah Warriors

The Utah Warriors travel to Washington State to face the Seawolves at Starfire Stadium.

This game between the two Western Conference rivals went down to the very last tough of the ball. By the 50th minute, Seattle were ahead by a score of 28-15 and holding firm before a Jurie van Vuuren try and Calvin Whiting conversion brough the Warriors to within 6 points. It looked as though the seawall had recovered however, and Seattle were on the attack in the closing stages of the game. Uncharacteristically, AJ Alatimu missed two penalty attempts before Utah were able to set up an attacking platform in the Seattle half.

What came next seemed almost inevitable. The Warriors kept the pressure up until eventually Olive Kilifi rumbled over for an 80th minute try. This made the score 28-27 with just the game-deciding conversion to come, with which Calvin Whiting made no mistake to steal victory from the jaws of defeat in front of a heartbroken Seattle crowd.

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2021 – RD 12: NOLA Gold v Rugby ATL

Rugby ATL travel to New Orleans to face the Gold at the Gold Mine in a MLR Southern Derby!

This game has been compared to a test match at time, and saw only 3 points scored in the second half which would ultimately sway the game in ATL’s favour. ending with a scoreline of 7-8 to the visitors, this game is the lowest scoring game in MLR history as of the conclusion of the 2022 season, with just 15pts scored.

With this win, ATL move to 6 victories in a row, strengthening their claim as one of the favourites for the MLR Shield in 2021.

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