MLR Week 18 First XV Selections: A Reflection on How Canada Fared in Selections This Season
The MLR regular season has wrapped up and it’s time to draw some conclusions from the First XV Selections.
The #10 spot is key to driving the backline attack. Only 3 domestic players won that honour, including this week’s selection. Three USA players claimed that honour, there were no Canadians. If you look at what countries did excel at providing First XV #10s, it’s no surprise, NZ (9), South Africa (3), Australia (3).
Another key position, tighthead prop, USA won that 6 times, Canada didn’t get a selection. Argentina won 3, South Africa won 3, NZ won 3, Samoa won 2, Australia won 1.
Where did Canada do well in selections: flanker 6, second row 5, hooker 4, scrum half 3, loosehead prop 3.
The stats aren’t surprising, Canada currently have a good crop of flankers Smith, Rumball, Heaton but no standout #8. There’s a solid group of second row Ciulini, Keys, Sheppard, O’Gorman. Hookers McRogers and Quattrin, scrum half Braude and Higgins, looseheads Djustice Sears-Duru and Cole Keith.
The MLR First XV selections tell us what we already knew, we need a dynamic #8, a rock at tighthead prop, a skilled #10 and some exciting backline players. This is where the 7s squad comes into play as we saw how Brock Webster and Cooper Coats made the transition from 7s to XVs. It’s also a chance to spread the net wider and look at some domestic players outside the MLR, Grady Bowd as #10 is one obvious example.
1st XV by Country After Week 18
USA 77
SA 46
NZ 42
Australia 28
Canada 21
Argentina 15
Samoa 11
Ireland 9
Namibia 6
Fiji 5
Scotland 2
England 2
Tonga 2
American Samoa 2
Uruguay 1
Netherlands 1
WEEK 17 ALL STARS
Country (6 USA, 4 South Africa, 2 NZ, 1 Fiji, 1 Canada, 1 Ireland)
1 USA
2 South Africa
3 NZ
4 Fiji
5 Canada
6 USA
7 USA
8 NZ
9 USA
10 USA
11 USA
12 Ireland
13 South Africa
14 South Africa
15 South Africa
*MLR Week 17 First XV Selections: South Africa, Australia, USA Top List*
With one week left in the regular season the picture is clear. The First XV selections, representing the top players in the league, are led by USA with 71 (28%). That’s not surprising considering the majority of players are domestic and all the teams but one are based in the USA. What perhaps is surprising is how dominant the SANZAAR (South Africa, NZ, Australia, Argentina) nations are with a combined 125 selections, about 50%. Canada had 20 selections, about 8% of the total. The remaining 14% are from other nations with Samoa leading the list. The Six Nations countries only account for 5% with no representation from Wales or France.
1st XV by Country After Week 17
USA 71
SA 42
NZ 40
Australia 28
Canada 20
Argentina 15
Samoa 11
Ireland 8
Namibia 6
Fiji 4
Scotland 2
England 2
Tonga 2
American Samoa 2
Uruguay 1
Netherlands 1
WEEK 17 ALL STARS
Country (4 USA, 4 Australia, 4 South Africa, 1 NZ, 1 Namibia, 1 Samoa)
1 USA
2 USA
3 Australia
4 USA
5 South Africa
6 Australia
7 Australia
8 USA
9 South Africa
10 Australia
11 Samoa
12 Namibia
13 South Africa
14 New Zealand
15 South Africa
*MLR Week 16 First XV Selections: Three Canadians Selected – Michael Smith, Lucas Rumball, Jason Higgins*
There were three Canadians selected in the Week 16 MLR 1st XV selections this week, two from the San Diego Legion, Michael Smith (#6), Jason Higgins (#9) and one from the Toronto Arrows, Lucas Rumball. Canada still remain in 5th place in selections.
1st XV by Country After Week 16
USA 67
NZ 39
SA 38
Australia 24
Canada 20
Argentina 15
Samoa 10
Ireland 8
Namibia 5
Fiji 4
Scotland 2
England 2
Tonga 2
American Samoa 2
Uruguay 1
Netherlands 1
WEEK 16 ALL STARS
Country (4 USA, 3 Canada, 2 NZ, 2 South Africa, 2 Australia, 1 Samoa, 1 Tonga)
1 USA
2 South Africa
3 South Africa
4 Australia
5 Tonga
6 Canada
7 Canada
8 USA
9 Canada
10 NZ
11 Australia
12 USA
13 Samoa
14 USA
15 NZ
*MLR Week 15 First XV Selections: Two Canadians Ross Braude and Jack McRogers Selected*
Two Canadians made the Week 15 First XV, Ross Braude at scrum half for the second time, and Jack McRogers at hooker for the first time. When Braude won his first selection in Week 4 it was also with a hooker and fellow teammate, Andrew Quattrin.
Overall the dominance of Tier 1 players at #10 continues with South Africa claiming the position this week. There have only been two weeks when a Tier 1 #10 wasn’t selected and that was week 9 when DC’s Mike Dabulas (USA) and week 11 when Austin’s Will Magie (USA) were selected.
1st XV by Country After Week 15
USA 63
NZ 37
SA 36
Australia 22
Canada 17
Argentina 15
Samoa 9
Ireland 8
Fiji 4
Namibia 5
Scotland 2
England 2
American Samoa 2
Uruguay 1
Tonga 1
Netherlands 1
WEEK 15 ALL STARS
Country (3 USA, 2 NZ, 2 South Africa, 2 Australia, 2 Canada, 2 Argentina, 1 Namibia, 1 Tonga)
1 NZ
2 Canada
3 Argentina
4 Tonga
5 USA
6 NZ
7 USA
8 Namibia
9 Canada
10 South Africa
11 USA
12 Argentina
13 Australia
14 Australia
15 South Africa
*MLR First XV Selections for Week 14: NZ Again Tops List, Overtakes South Africa for 2nd in Rep Honours*
Canada were blanked in the selections this week, the Toronto Arrows had one selection, their loosehead prop from NZ. NZ again topped the list and have moved into 2nd place in the number of 1st XV selections so far this season.
1st XV by Country After Week 14
USA 60
NZ 35
SA 34
Australia 20
Canada 15
Argentina 13
Samoa 9
Ireland 8
Fiji 4
Namibia 4
Scotland 2
England 2
American Samoa 2
Uruguay 1
Netherlands 1
WEEK 14 ALL STARS
Country (5 NZ, 2 South Africa, 2 USA, 2 Australia, 2 Samoa, 1 American Samoa, 1 Argentina)
1 NZ
2 NZ
3 Argentina
4 Australia
5 USA
6 South Africa
7 NZ
8 USA
9 Samoa
10 NZ
11 Samoa
12 NZ
13 Australia
14 American Samoa
15 South Africa
*MLR First XV Selections for Week 13: NZ Capture Six Selections – Reegan O’Gorman Canada’s Representative*
NZ players were the stars this week, claiming 6 of the 15 1st XV selections. Reegan O’Gorman of the New England Free Jacks was the lone Canadian selection.
Looking over 13 weeks the SANZAAR region produces the largest number of quality selections 47%, eclipsing the host countries (USA, Canada) 37%. The Six Nations members provide only 6% of 1st XV selections, the same as the Pacific Islands.
1st XV by Country After Week 13
USA 58
SA 32
NZ 30
Australia 18
Canada 15
Argentina 12
Ireland 8
Samoa 7
Fiji 4
Namibia 4
Scotland 2
England 2
Uruguay 1
Netherlands 1
American Samoa 1
1st XV by Region %
SANZAAR 47%
North America 37%
Six Nations 6%
Pacific Islands 6%
Other 4%
WEEK 13 ALL STARS
Country (6 NZ, 3 South Africa, 3 USA, 1 Canada, 1 England, 1 Namibia)
1 USA
2 USA
3 South Africa
4 Canada
5 NZ
6 England
7 NZ
8 NZ
9 Namibia
10 NZ
11 NZ
12 South Africa
13 South Africa
14 USA
15 NZ
*MLR First XV Selections for Week 12: South Africa Shine, Beaudein Waaka (NZ) Picks Up 4th selection at #10*
South Africa had the most representatives this week, putting 3 players on the First XV. They’ve increased the gap slightly on NZ who are in 3rd place. Canada were shutout this week and remain in 5th place.
Beaudein Waaka (NZ) picked up his 4th selection at #10.
1st XV by Country After Week 12
USA 55
SA 29
NZ 24
Australia 18
Canada 14
Argentina 12
Ireland 8
Samoa 7
Fiji 4
Namibia 3
Scotland 2
Uruguay 1
England 1
Netherlands 1
American Samoa 1
WEEK 12 ALL STARS
Country (3 South Africa, 2 USA, 2 Australia, 2 Argentina, 2 NZ, 2 Fiji, 1 Samoa, 1 Namibia)
1 USA
2 Australia
3 Argentina
4 South Africa
5 Fiji
6 USA
7 Australia
8 Namibia
9 Samoa
10 NZ (4)
11 Fiji
12 South Africa
13 South Africa
14 NZ
15 Argentina
*MLR First XV Selections for Week 11: Cole Keith Again Only Canadian Selected*
Cole Keith received his second consecutive selection to the MLR First XV at loosehead prop. He was the only Canadian selected.
1st XV by Country After Week 11
USA 53
SA 26
NZ 22
Australia 16
Canada 14
Argentina 10
Ireland 8
Samoa 6
Scotland 2
Namibia 2
Fiji 2
Uruguay 1
England 1
Netherlands 1
American Samoa 1
WEEK 11 ALL STARS
Country (7 USA, 2 NZ, 1 Australia, 1 South Africa, 1 Fiji, 1 Samoa, 1 Canada, 1 Ireland)
1 Canada
2 USA
3 USA
4 Fiji
5 Australia
6 USA
7 NZ
8 USA
9 Samoa
10 USA
11 USA
12 NZ
13 Ireland
14 USA
15 South Africa
*MLR First XV Picks for Week 10: Cole Keith Selected at Loosehead Prop – Canada 5th Overall Behind USA, SA, NZ, Australia*
Cole Keith was the only Canadian on the First XV this week. He’s the second Canadian chosen at loosehead prop, the other being Djustice Sears-Duru of LA in Week 4. Overall Canada was overtaken by Australia this week for 4th spot as they added 3, both halfbacks and the hooker.
1st XV by Country After Week 10
USA 46
SA 25
NZ 20
Australia 15
Canada 13
Argentina 10
Ireland 7
Samoa 5
Scotland 2
Namibia 2
Fiji 1
Uruguay 1
England 1
Netherlands 1
American Samoa 1
WEEK 10 ALL STARS
Country (5 USA, 3 Australia, 3 South Africa, 1 Ireland, 1 NZ, 1 Samoa, 1 Canada)
1 Canada
2 Australia
3 USA
4 South Africa
5 South Africa
6 USA
7 NZ
8 USA
9 Australia
10 Australia
11 Samoa
12 South Africa
13 Ireland
14 USA
15 USA
*Summary of MLR First XV Picks by Country After Nine Weeks: Two Canadians Selected in Week 9, USA, SA, NZ Lead Overall*
Andrew Quattrin (Toronto) made the 1st XV for the 3rd time at hooker, Conor Keys (Atlanta) becomes the only other Canadian second row to receive the accolade, after Mike Sheppard.
Mike Dabulas (DC) becomes the first domestic player to be selected at #10, he has one cap for USA.
1st XV by Country After Week 9
USA 41
SA 22
NZ 19
Canada 12
Australia 12
Argentina 10
Ireland 6
Samoa 4
Scotland 2
Namibia 2
Fiji 1
Uruguay 1
England 1
Netherlands 1
American Samoa 1
WEEK 9 ALL STARS
Country (5 USA, 3 Australia, 2 South Africa, 2 Canada, 1 Scotland, 1 Argentina, 1 NZ)
1 Australia
2 Canada
3 USA
4 Australia
5 Canada
6 USA
7 Autralia
8 USA
9 USA
10 USA
11 Argentina
12 New Zealand
13 South Africa
14 South Africa
15 Scotland
*Summary of MLR First XV Picks by Country After Eight Weeks: USA Comfortably in the Lead Followed by South Africa, New Zealand and Canada*
Mike Sheppard is the lone Canadian choice this week, it’s his second pick at second row and the only Canadian to be selected at that position.
The trend continues for Tier 1 #10s as South Africa takes that honour this week. Australian Bill Meakes gets his 3rd selection in the centres. Momsen the USA second row for Atlanta gets his 3rd selection as well.
1st XV by Country After Week 8
USA 36
SA 20
NZ 18
Canada 10
Argentina 9
Australia 9
Ireland 6
Samoa 4
Namibia 2
Fiji 1
Uruguay 1
England 1
Netherlands 1
Scotland 1
American Samoa 1
WEEK 8 ALL STARS
Country (6 USA, 2 South Africa, 2 NZ, 1 Canada, 1 Namibia, 1 American Samoa, 1 Samoa, 1 Australia)
1 USA
2 USA
3 USA
4 Canada
5 South Africa
6 USA
7 New Zealand
8 USA
9 Samoa
10 South Africa
11 American Samoa
12 Namibia
13 Australia
14 USA
15 New Zealand
*Summary of MLR First XV Picks by Country After Seven Weeks: Canada Blanked for 2nd Week in a Row, Kiwis Rule with 5 Selections*
The good news is that Toronto had two First XV selections this week, the bad news is they’re both kiwis and not eligible to play for Canada… yet. [ed. apparently Sam Malcolm returns to NZ during the off season and isn’t accumulating Canadian residency eligibility.]
It was the week of the kiwis as they placed 5 on the all-star list and have jumped up to 3rd overall, almost catching the South Africans.
The Seattle #8 Riekert Hattingh, originally from South Africa but USA eligible now, has been selected at #8 for the fourth time, a dominant performer.
1st XV by Country After Week 7
USA 30
SA 18
NZ 16
Canada 9
Argentina 9
Australia 8
Ireland 6
Samoa 3
Fiji 1
Uruguay 1
England 1
Namibia 1
Netherlands 1
Scotland 1
WEEK 7 ALL STARS
Country (5 NZ, 4 USA, 2 Australia, 1 Namibia, 1 Scotland, 1 Netherlands, 1 South Africa)
1 USA
2 South Africa
3 New Zealand
4 Netherlands
5 New Zealand
6 USA
7 New Zealand (USA eligible)
8 USA (from South Africa)
9 Australia
10 New Zealand
11 USA
12 Namibia
13 New Zealand
14 Australia
15 Scotland
*Summary of MLR First XV Picks by Country After Six Weeks: Canada Drops to 4th in Selections Overall Behind USA, SA and NZ*
There were no Canadians to make the First XV in week 6, dropping Canada to 4th in the number of selections behind USA, South Africa and New Zealand.
1st XV by Country After Week 6
USA 26
SA 17
NZ 11
Canada 9
Argentina 9
Australia 6
Ireland 6
Samoa 3
Fiji 1
Uruguay 1
England 1
WEEK 6 ALL STARS
Country (5 USA, 3 NZ, 3 Ireland, 2 Argentina, 2 South Africa)
1 Argentina
2 South Africa
3 USA
4 USA
5 USA
6 USA
7 New Zealand
8 Ireland
9 Ireland
10 New Zealand
11 USA
12 Ireland
13 New Zealand
14 Argentina
15 South Africa
*Summary of MLR First XV Picks by Country After Five Weeks: South Africa Makes Its Presence Felt*
There was only one Canadian in the 1st XV picks for week 5 but South Africa made its presence felt again with 4 picks and are now second to USA in overall picks.
Matt Heaton was picked as openside flanker for Atlanta, that makes four Canadian opensides in the 1st XV picks, Heaton, Smith, Rumball and Penny.
Again the #10 position goes to a Tier 1 player, Waaka (NZ) of the New England Free Jacks. It’s the 3rd time Waaka has been selected in the weekly top XV at #10.
1st XV by Country After Week 5
USA 21
SA 15
Canada 9
NZ 8
Australia 6
Argentina 7
Ireland 3
Samoa 3
Fiji 1
Uruguay 1
England 1
WEEK 5 ALL STARS
Country (4 South Africa, 4 USA, 2 NZ, 1 Samoa, 1 Argentina, 1 England, 1 Ireland, 1 Canada)
1 South Africa (2)
2 South Africa
3 Samoa (2)
4 England (USA qualified)
5 USA (2)
6 New Zealand (USA qualified)
7 Canada
8 USA
9 South Africa
10 New Zealand (3)
11 USA
12 Ireland
13 Argentina (2)
14 USA
15 South Africa
*Summary of MLR First XV Picks by Country After Four Weeks: Canada Tops List for Week 4*
Canada did well in the MLR 1st XV in Week 4, claiming 5 spots, the most of any country. It’s the first time this season Canada have topped the list, it’s also the first week South Africa have been blanked. USA still remains top overall with South Africa second and Canada now third.
Analyzing Canada’s MLR 1st XV selections by position shows depth at the #7 openside position, 3 different players have been selected Nakai Penny, Lucas Rumball and Michael Smith. At hooker, Andrew Quattrin has been selected twice. Mike Sheppard second row, Djustice Sears-Duru loosehead prop, and Ross Braude scrum half have also been selected.
Looking 3 years ahead (2025) when Canada will be preparing to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, Sheppard will be 36 and possibly out of the picture, Djustice Sears-Duru will be 30 and still in his prime for a prop. Ross Braude will be 25, Andrew Quattrin will be 28, Lucas Rumball 29, Michael Smith 26, Nakai Penny 28.
Where are the gaps? An international class #10 is still the top priority for Canada. A dominant tighthead, a couple of beefy second rows and a dynamic #8. A couple of DTH like wingers would be nice. Ben LeSage at outside centre, although not picked in the 1st XV this week, did score the try of the week and maybe was a little unlucky not to make the list. He’ll be 29 in 2025.
There will be a lot of focus on the national U20 team, the Pacific Pride and the university programs over the next few years to identify players to fill these gaps. The 7s program also will be a source, especially for the back three positions.
The cumulative running total after 4 weeks is as follows:
Country
USA 17
SA 11
Canada 8
NZ 6
Australia 6
Argentina 6
Ireland 2
Samoa 2
Fiji 1
Uruguay 1
WEEK 4 ALL STARS
Country (5 Canada, 3 Australia, 3 Argentina, 2 USA, 1 Samoa, 1 Uruguay)
1 Canada
2 Canada (2)
3 Samoa
4 Canada
5 Australia
6 Australia
7 Canada
8 USA
9 Canada
10 Australia
11 Argentina
12 Argentina
13 Argentina
14 USA
15 Uruguay
WEEK 3 ALL STARS
Country (7 USA, 3 SA, 2 Canada, 2 NZ, 1 Ireland)
1 USA
2 Canada
3 New Zealand
4 USA
5 South Africa
6 USA
7 Canada
8 USA (via SA) (3)
9 South Africa
10 New Zealand (2)
11 USA
12 USA
13 Ireland
14 USA
15 South Africa
WEEK 2 ALL STARS
Country (4 SA, 4 USA, 3 Australia, 1 NZ, 1 Samoa, 1 Fiji, 1 Canada)
1 South Africa
2 New Zealand
3 South Africa
4 Fiji (eligible USA)
5 South Africa
6 Australia
7 Canada
8 USA (via SA)
9 Australia
10 South Africa
11 Samoa
12 Australia
13 USA
14 USA
15 USA
WEEK 1 ALL STARS
Country (4 SA, 4 USA, 3 Argentina, 3 NZ, 1 Ireland)
1 Argentina
2 South Africa
3 Argentina
4 USA
5 South Africa
6 USA
7 South Africa
8 USA (via SA)
9 USA
10 New Zealand
11 Argentina
12 South Africa
13 Ireland
14 New Zealand
15 New Zealand