Just like that Rugby United New York becomes the new top dog in the MLR with a classic win over NOLA and everyone got to see it right? Well, not so much.

Power outings in New Orleans disrupted the 73rd minute of the live stream and on. Out snuck RUNY as road victors over the MLR’s first turnaround story.

Power loss at Gold Stadium cut the transmission. We apologize- it is inexcusable.

RUNY wins pic.twitter.com/jTPXIutqo5

— Rugby United New York (@rugbyunitedny) February 16, 2019

NOLA was an undefeated 3-0 going into round 4 the Gold had already reached their wins mark from 2018. NOLA’s turnaround from 2018 and recent signing of Tony Lamborn grabbed the Gold the top spot in the power rankings heading into their home match against the road-restricted RUNY side. 

RUNY Rolling on Road

Like Toronto, RUNY is another cold weather team, so they play their first five matches on the road while waiting on March weather.

The home favorites took an early lead with some of their new and improved backline play. NOLA’s greying captain, Taylor Howden, has continued to dazzle at outside center position; a major factor to the Gold’s early success this season. 

Congratulations to Taylor Howden for being selected as Major League Rugby's player of the week! #GeauxGold pic.twitter.com/E1wFdcBziy

— NOLA Gold Rugby (@nolagoldrugby) February 5, 2019

Cathal Marsh was the deserved Magner’s Man of The Match. The former Ireland U-20 and Leinster flyhalf notched 17 of RUNY’s 27 points. The play of the match was Marsh’s dancing and darting through the NOLA defense before setting up Connor Wallace-Sims with a try under the posts.

??? Cathal Marsh is your #MagnersManOfTheMatch after a crazy day at the office on Saturday ??#RUNYvNOLA #UniteTheEmpire #RUNY pic.twitter.com/ijbWOeTQin

— Rugby United New York (@rugbyunitedny) February 18, 2019

The deciding minutes of the of the match were cutoff due to technical issues on site, but Marsh delivered RUNY the win with a clutch kick for posts.

NOLA will remain atop the standings having played four matches and securing five bonus points. While the power rankings should project RUNY as the top side in Major League Rugby, and they have yet to play at home.

Legion Look Nice

The San Diego Legion wrap up their four match home stand 3-1 with a 21-10 victory over Utah. The Warriors committed several routine handling errors and untimely penalties.

 Devin Short took home man of the match with his two try outing and Jim Pietersen slotted a conversion and two crucial penalties to punish the undisciplined Warriors. 

The Legion look like a contender again with their only loss this season came to RUNY by two points. The Legion are tied for the league lead by record, and trail NOLA in the bonus point differential. 

San Diego could lose four key players to international duty with the Eagles. Eagles coach Gary Gold rostered Mike Te’o, Nick Boyer, Dylan Audsley, and Kapeli Pifeleti for the match against Brazil. The Legion will play their first away match of the season in Austin on Friday, while the Eagles play in the same venue the next evening against Brazil. 

Fortunately for the Legion, the Elite are sliding to the bottom of the MLR table. 

Warriors One-Trick Pony? 

Utah’s been off to a troubling start, but let it slide for now because they have yet to play at home. They’ll head into a three match home stand starting next week against the Glendale Raptors. Glendale will have to figure out how they’re going to stop Utah’s maul, but that  may be it.

Seawolves Strike Back

The reigning champs needed a victory to please their sold out home crowd and they got their result against a high-flying Toronto side. Toronto snatched the early momentum with a converted try, but Seattle weathered the storm and turned away several attacks before going on an assault of their own. It all started with the maul. Like Utah, Seattle was able to maul twenty meters to the opposition try line and put Oli Kilifi over. 

Toronto and Seattle traded tries for 60 minutes. Eric Duechele came away with man of the match carrying the ball all over the park. Duechele’s athleticism sparks flashes of Todd Clever.

Two drop goal attempts from Ben Cima drew Toronto penalties, and Brock Staller delivered two late penalty conversions for the home crowd victory.

The Arrows from up north are 1-2 with narrow losses to two of the league’s top teams: New Orleans and Seattle. Toronto is going to have to endure a difficult road schedule where they’ll play their first eight matches away then their final eight matches at home. 

Toronto is playing well without some of their Canadian internationals playing in the Americas Rugby Championship. The Arrows should be road favorites over Houston ahead of this Friday’s match.

Don’t be surprised if Toronto eeks out a few road wins before going on a home tear late in the season with their internationals back.