Rugby PickEm

Can USA beat Samoa? PNC Preview (ft. HARPO) by Bt, Uncle Johnny, TommyNoPiks & the Rugby PickEm Crew

The MLR Season came and went! It seems like yesterday that teams were kicking off the season in February, yet here we are. We hopped on with FreeJack SUPERFAN and host of the Jack's Rangers podcast Phil Harris. Phil will be in attendance Saturday with his skullet and usual intensity as his beloved Free Jacks look to win their 3rd straight title. If you're in the New England area and don't have pla...

Some old audio from the RWC in France back in 2023. What a time to be alive! We were lucky enough to grab tickets to Ireland vs. Romania on Saturday followed by Fiji vs. Wales on Sunday in the opening weekend of an unforgettable RWC. Enjoy. PICKEM!

We've covered the MLR since its inception in 2018. Written all types of articles, in-person match reports and the occasional player interview.... but the focus this year will be asking questions.... After all, asking questions, makes for good dialogue. Carl Sagan said “There is no such thing as a dumb question”. Sagan believed that every question is a way to better understand the world, and that a...

The 2024 CRC's did not disappoint. A uniquely American tournament format featured a "win and advance" style of bracket, and the excitement that came with the high stakes was exhilarating. Premier Division - 1st Place: Wheeling Back in January, Aaron Juma and Joe Iye led the Great Lakes NCR all star team to a cup final in Round Rock Texas. The two players dominance continued this weekend as Wheelin...

After winning 14 straight, the defending champs lost at the death in their home opener against rival Old Glory D.C. Jason Robertson was clutch down the stretch and drilled the game winning kick with no time on the clock. It was truly a game winning conversion (they were down 1, not tied), and it silenced a rowdy crowd in Quincy. Not only did Robertson's boot come up clutch, but he facilitated just...

Historical Record: 32-42-3 Week 1 Result: 22-15 loss to Houston Skinny: The Utah Warriors have always been an MLR staple. There's no prettier backdrop than the snow kissed mountains just west of Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman Utah. The Warriors will be missing legend Lance Williams as he pursues Olympic dreams with the Eagle 7's, but they won't lack veteran leadership. Paul Lasike and Angus McClel...

Historical Record: 43-33-1 Week 1 Result: 25-19 win against San Diego Skinny: The Orcas in the Pacific Northwest have been known to be some of the most intelligent hunters in the ocean. The rugby team also knows how to hunt down playoff appearances and has posted a 7-2 playoff record over their history. They have only missed the playoffs once in 2021, but coach Alan Clarke has them trending up and...

Historical Record: 51-25-1 Week 1 Result: 25-19 loss to Seattle Skinny: The team may have some of the last Generation X professional rugby players on the squad, but don't forget that age is just a number. After all, 40's are the new 30's, right? Ma'a Nonu and Matt Giteau want nothing more than the MLR Shield and won't stop until it reaches the sunny shores of Mission Beach. The Legion have won ove...

Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 32-29 loss vs. Dallas Skinny: Atlanta packs up and moves to the sunny hills of Los Angeles. Coach Steve Brett brings with him the core of the players that won a fair share of games as the RATLers. But just like the phoenix who rose from the ashes, Rugby FCLA arises with vibrant colors! The royal blue and tinge of yellow hits just right. Will this team be an im...

Historical Record: 29-48 (5.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 22-15 win over Utah Skinny: After a tough couple years of predominantly losing, it seems like Houston has turned a corner (or a roundabout?) ... Coach Pote Human ain't taking no guff from opposing teams, and has delivered the squad to playoffs in back to back years.... only to be ousted by Seattle. But this years team as added some serious weap...

Historical Record: 2-30 (2 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 32-29 win over Rugby FC Los Angeles Skinny: So Dallas hasn't been great so far ... no better time than now for a change. Sam Golla may be the best draft pick since the inception of the collegiate draft. The #JackalAllTrades already earned his way onto the Eagles and is now a Jackal Co-Capt. too. A week 1 win is huge for confidence, but can they be...

Historical Record: 20-31-2 (3.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 18-6 loss to NOLA Gold Skinny: Moving on from Segra Field is a definite win. While the new pitch is still a ways out there, it boasts a beautiful grass surface with an accurately sized bowl for 5k fans. It's their 3rd venue since inception and they've finally checked off all three parts of the DMV. The match up in Quincy Massachusetts Saturda...

Historical Record: 36-40-1 (5.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 18-6 win over Old Glory DC Skinny: NOLA in a big year as they look to not only make the playoffs, but host a match in July. They have the glitz and glamour to get there, but after white knuckle defensive performance against OGDC down in the Gold Mine, it just might be DEFENSE that sees them through to the knockouts. Can Rodney Iona assert him...

Historical Record: 38-15 (3.5 Seasons) Week 1 Result: 46-13 win over Anthem Skinny: Reigning Champs, and currently riding a 13 game winning streak dating back to April of 2023. There is no hotter team in the MLR so surely the pressure is on to repeat as champions. With Fort Quincy as host to the best stadium environment on the East Coast, teams will be fearing the away trip to New England. This te...

Historical Record: 0-0 Week 1 Result: 23-19 Loss to Chicago Skinny: What's sexier than buying a professional franchise in a destination city and branding it pink? Sounds like our late Giltinis, but this squad has an ownership group (see above) that isn't fucking around. You don't wear those tinted shades to a media event and not make a splash! With a professional front office, and a slew of profes...

Historical Record: 3-13 (1 Season) Week 1 Result: 23-19 win over Miami Skinny: Chicago has the weapons to do some damage in the East. They absorbed talent from New York and have a total of 16 Internationally capped players. How do you follow up a season with a lot of losses? By winning. It's also important they grow their fan base in year 2 and put more assess in seats. Building a true home field...

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, multip...

Two teams folded (for now). One team packed up and relocated to the sunny hills of L.A. Another new team in the Queen City with a focus on young American MLR minutes. After Glendale came and went, followed by Gilly-Gate, did anyone actually think the MLR Front Office timeline could get any wackier? Yet here we are. Year 7 loading and the shield has never looked shinier. With World Rugby's decision...

What makes a great winger? Is it the ability to beat the best defenses? The slight of foot, and dashing balance as they navigate through a trove of stout defenders? What about a lethal step, or an unimaginable field vision? Uncle Johnny was in studio to flesh out who Le Shane Williams 'Tiny Dancer' of Le Tournament is for this dazzling affair in France the past few weeks. While many names come str...

Bt & Uncle Johnny recap what has been an exquisite month of Rugby World Cup action in the home country of France. From sharing a suite with hot & sweaty Irish lads, to close encounters with Jellyfish in the famous Basque country surf, the lads give the blow by blow of what has been a fantastic RWC. Que Magnifique! We recap rounds 1-4, and preview what is being dubbed as the "pre-quarterfinals" thi...

Ladies and Gents, it's here. The event we've been waiting for. The Rugby World Cup in France. Rugby Reddit Internet Scholars (we're talkin' 21st century academia baby) are dubbing this one the year of the UNDERDOGS. Teams that have yet to sniff a RWC Final are predicted to shine and break through the boring traditional mold. Who will be barking and groveling for treats (remember, dog theme) come t...

Sometimes, an interview is so big ... so massive and emotional ... so monumental and groundbreaking ... that you simply can't edit & publish it in the following hours. No, sometimes the weight of the moment is simply too grand ... it needs to simmer, and grow with the wild and fantastical rise of the individual. Presenting Broccoli Guy. Ladies and Gentleman "We Got Him". The interview was aptly co...

Lane Pruisner IS IOWA. From the Corn Fields of Ankeny, to Fort Dodge and now Jonesboro Arkansas, rugby has been a leading driver in Lane's young adult life. His adventures brought him to Denver Colorado this summer where he competed with the Denver Barbarians 7's and worked full time as a civil engineer (specializing in corrosion prevention). Hear about his journey, the challenges he faced this su...

Founded in 2022, Ronan Neurofeedback and Counseling was formed primarily to help athletes struggling with mental health issues, concussion symptoms, and injury recovery on and off the field. Ronan Neurofeedback and Counseling also works with non-athletes seeking an alternative to medication who want to improve their health, brain functioning, and overall mental well-being. Reed & I sat down for an...