NEWS

Glendale Raptors Named Major League Rugby Team of the Week

Glendale Raptors Named Major League Rugby Team of the Week

NOLA Gold’s JP Eloff Named Player of the Week

Photo: Seth McConnell

SALT LAKE CITY (June 18, 2018) – The Glendale Raptors were named the Major League Rugby Team of the Week the League announced today. Glendale improved to 7-0 and secured the number one seed in the inaugural MLR Championship Series with a 33-11 win over Seattle.

The Seawolves scored 11 points in the early going and held Glendale scoreless for the opening 35 minutes, but it was not enough to tame the Raptors’ high-powered attack. Outside centre Chad London poached a ball out of the back of a Seawolves ruck and took it in for a long try to kick off a 33-point Glendale run.

NOLA’s JP Eloff earned Player of the Week honors. His crucial moment came early with his drop goal deep in the Utah half to bring the Gold’s score to eight points. Eloff scored multiple try-assists and a try throughout the match by slicing through the Utah backline. He accounted for 23 of the Gold’s points in their 46-43 win.

NOLA sits tied with Utah (17 points) and one spot behind Austin (18 points) for the final spot in the MLR Championship Series.

MLR also announced the First XV:

1. Loosehead Prop, Luke White, Glendale Raptors
2. Hooker, Pat Blair, San Diego Legion
3. Tighthead Prop, Tim Metcher, Seattle Seawolves
4. Left Lock, Ben Mitchell, Austin Elite
5. Right Lock, Saia ‘Uhila, Utah Warriors
6. Blindside Flanker, John Wayne Cullen, Utah Warriors
7. Openside Flanker, Ross Deacon, Austin Elite
8. No 8., Matt Hughston, NOLA Gold
9. Scrum-half, Nick Boyer, San Diego Legion
10. Fly-half, Maximo De Achaval, Glendale Raptors
11. Blindside Wing, AJ Tu’ineau, Utah Warriors
12. Inside Center, Mika Kruse, Glendale Raptors
13. Outside Center, Chad London, Glendale Raptors
14. Openside Wing, Tim Maupin, NOLA Gold
15. Fullback, Don Pati, Utah Warriors

For more news and notes from Week 9, visit usmlr.com.

2018 MLR Weekly Honors

Week 1

Team of the Week: Seattle Seawolves

Player of the Week: Phil Mack

Week 2

Team of the Week: San Diego Legion

Player of the Week: Zach Fenoglio

Week 3

Team of the Week: Austin Elite

Player of the Week: Anthony Salaber

Week 4

Team of the Week: Glendale Raptors

Player of the Week: Marcus Walsh

Week 5

Team of the Week: NOLA Gold

Player of the Week: Vili Toluta’u

Week 6

Team of the Week: Utah Warriors

Player of the Week: Brock Staller

Week 7

Team of the Week: Austin Elite

Player of the Week: Will Magie

Week 8

Team of the Week: San Diego Legion

Player of the Week: Harley Davidson

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About MLR

MLR is a professional rugby league that launched in April of 2018. It’s an initiative of the American rugby community, in partnership with private investors, who believe that American rugby can thrive at the highest levels: as a commercial enterprise; as an influential player on the international scene; and as a participation sport at the youth and senior level. MLR is the pinnacle of the American rugby, and provides a rallying point for local communities, a focal point for American rugby fans, and an aspirational destination for young athletes.

Media Contact:

Major League Rugby: Jessica Kunzer, 801-647-2510, jkunzer@dragonflimedia.com