Although a young league, MLR already has it’s fair share of legends, with try-scoring machines coming and going, or 1-season anomalies lighting up opposition and scoring week in, week out then struggling to repeat that scoring prowess the following year. This post will highlight the Top 10 MLR Try Scorers of All-Time (2018-2024), some of the most consistent scorers in the league. Here is that List:
To those already familiar with Major League Rugby, you are bound to know Dylan Fawsitt. The league’s all-time leading try scorer is no stranger to that title, and 2024 marked his 3rd MLR season with 10+ tries scored. Although fans may think of Fawsitt in a New York jersey, a personal best of 14 tries for the Chicago Hounds (that jointly led MLR in 2024 with Utah’s Michael Manson) ensured that plenty of Hounds fans got to know him very well. Fawsitt was MLR’s all-time leading scorer heading into the 2024 season and he still holds the crown, adding another achievement to his long list as the first player in MLR history to pass 50 tries scored in the competition. Fawsitt‘s 14 tries this season are now that gap between him and 2nd place, Seattle Seawolves talisman Riekert Hattingh.
Hattingh sat 3 tries behind Fawsitt entering 2024, but an injury-marred season affected his bid for first, scoring 3 tries and being sidelined for large chunks of the season. A formidable tackler with a nose for the try line and the only forward in MLR history with over 5,000m gained, Seattle fans will be hoping to see their Captain return to form and close the gap to Fawsitt in 2025.
A long way behind Fawsitt and Hattingh comes the pack, led by Utah Warriors & San Diego Legion legend Mikey Te’o on 32. Te’o announced his retirement following the 2024 season so 32 is where he will stay (notwithstanding a comeback!), along with the only other inactive player on this list, John Ryberg. Affectionately nicknamed the ‘bicep with eyeballs’, Ryberg is worth mentioning because he hasn’t played in MLR since 2022 but still sits 7th on the all-time list with 29 tries, helped by a 13-try season for the Glendale Raptors in 2019, and 9 tries for the LA Giltinis in their 2021 Shield-winning season.
Sandwiched between Te’o & Ryberg are some of the most lethal runners in MLR today. Back-to-Back MLR Champion Paula Balekana, ferocious runner Julián Domínguez, and MLR legend (and current USA Eagle) Nate Augspurger, sat on 31, 31, and 30 tries respectively. This is where I think the real fight is going to go down in 2025, with 3rd place on the all-time list up for grabs. Any fan who wants a little something extra to cheer for next season should keep an eye on this!
This isn’t to say that the other names in the Top 10 can’t set the cat amongst the pigeons. A strong bounce-back season for the Utah Warriors could see Mika Kruse (8th – 26) and Joe Mano (T-9th – 25) close the gap, or even Michael Manson if he can get close to the 14 he scored in 2024. There’s also the 4th Chicago Hound on this list, Mark O’Keeffe (T-9th – 25). A strong runner and prolific scorer in his own right who could notch up a few of his own to interfere with his teammates’ numbers. Let’s not forget about the names sitting just off this list looking to crack the Top 10, the likes of Ed Fidow with NOLA, Ina Futi in Seattle, and Te Rangatira Waitokia with Anthem RC (all on 21). Everyone likes to see tries, and this list is a long way from settled.
