‍📰 HEADLINES

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MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY

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San Diego Legion: Australian Legend Matt Giteau Debuts This Sunday (San Diego Legion)

• Takeaway: The San Diego Legion announced yesterday that Australian flyhalf Matt Giteau will make his 2024 MLR debut against the Dallas Jackals this Sunday.

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‍Disciplinary Rulings: Player Suspensions (Major League Rugby)

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• Takeaway: MLR suspended Anthem RC wing David Still five weeks after he was cited for violating Law 9.17, which states that "a player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground."

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• Takeaway: MLR suspended RFCLA back row Semi Kunatani one week for accumulating two many yellow cards. 

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• Takeaway: MLR suspended Houston SaberCats hooker Tiaan Erasmus one week for a red card he received in the match against the San Diego Legion.

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• Takeaway: MLR suspended Dallas Jackals hooker Tomas Bekerman three weeks after he received a red card in the match against the Miami Sharks.

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‍Trade Alert: Player Transaction Date 4/23/24 (Major League Rugby)

• Takeaway: The Utah Warriors sent salary cap considerations in 2024 to the Houston SaberCats in exchange for 25-year-old loosehead prop Fatongia Paea.

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‍Honors: First XV Week 9 (Major League Rugby)

• Takeaway: MLR named Utah Warriors lock Frank Lochore to the MLR First XV for the fourth time this season.

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• Player of the Week: Utah Warriors lock Frank Lochore earned Player of the Week honors in leading his squad to a win over Old Glory DC.

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• Team of the Week: The Houston SaberCats earned Team of the Week honors.

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📝 MLR MIDSEASON REPORT 📝

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Team Grades:

• Seattle: A
• Houston: A
• New England: A-
• Chicago: B
• Dallas: B
• San Diego: B-
• New Orleans: B-
• Utah: C+
• Miami: C+
• DC: C-
• Los Angeles: D+
• Anthem RC: Pass (a different grading scale on this one)

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Most Improved Team:

• Dallas Jackals

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Midseason MVP:

• Reece MacDonald, New England Free Jacks
• Jayson Potroz, New England Free Jacks
• Mack Mason, Seattle Seawolves
• Dylan Fawsitt, Chicago Hounds
• Dewald Kotze, Dallas Jackals

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MLR Rookie of the Year (collegiate drafted players):

• Noah Brown, Chicago Hounds
• Junior Gafa, NEFJ/Anthem
• Tyren Al-Jiboori, Anthem
• Albert O'Shannessey, Anthem
• Matt Anticev, RFLCA
• Rick Rose, Miami Sharks
• Seth Smith, Houston SaberCats

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MLR Newcomer (international):

• Michael Manson, Utah
• Divan Rossouw, Seattle
• Semi Kunatani, LA
• Frank Lochore, Utah Warriors
• Felipe Etcheverry, Miami Sharks

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📊 MLR POWER RANKINGS 📊

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The Rankings: Here's the MLR Power Rankings as we enter the second half of the season.

1. Seattle Seawolves
2. New England Free Jacks
3. Houston SaberCats
4. Chicago Hounds
5. Dallas Jackals
6. San Diego Legion
7. Utah Warriors
8. NOLA Gold
9. Old Glory DC
10. Miami Sharks
11. RFCLA
12. Anthem RC