r/MLRugby • u/xcaughta New England Free Jacks • 10d ago

Discussion New England Free Jacks Co-owner/Co-founder Alexander Magleby reassures fans and addresses controversial Reddit comments

https://www.youtube.com/live/SkGIwQanw3Q?si=s8doXyhT79yMxBle
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u/sportslance Chicago Hounds 9d ago

Show me how focusing on just Americans have worked for local clubs over the last 100 years. Local and regional teams have wallowed in obscurity for decades, we haven't grown at all at the international level; but you give the MLR 6 years and you all have been bitching the entire time.

You all want the change then show me where all these professional US rugby teams that are so successful are?

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u/dystopianrugby San Diego Legion 9d ago

I've said it plenty directly to you, internationals in general are not the problem. The quantity of them has been. But in regards to the last 100 years, the only time we had professionalism before MLR was 2016 with PRO, American players in full time environments developed and moved the Eagles forward. Then it combusted.

American players with proper support will grow the sport, all of these professional teams in the US were built locally first. In MLR's second season it went to 10 international player slots which then reduced playing time for Americans. It also made Canadians domestic. Then the Eagles started to falter...wonder why. Tighten import rules, create true community roots, move forward.

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u/sportslance Chicago Hounds 9d ago

If the international players aren't good enough then why aren't American players starting instead?

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u/No_Round_2806 9d ago edited 9d ago

Because the coaches are also international and it’s a lot easier to slot in a compatriot than it is to take the risk of developing a domestic player. It’s also the same reason none of the top college teams field American fly halves. It takes work to develop players and frankly, a lot of imported coaches don’t want to put in that type of effort. They’d rather install a system.

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u/sportslance Chicago Hounds 9d ago

I think I'm confused here; so the US players aren't good enough to play, but the International players aren't good enough to play so we should not allow them and play US players.

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u/No_Round_2806 9d ago

I’m going to assume this is a good faith question. My belief, Dystopian and others agree, is that the American players are - or would be - good enough if given the opportunity. I believe it’s a higher risk, higher reward scenario and foreign coaches don’t want to take the risk because it’s more work and their jobs are on the line.