NEW YORK, NY – Apologies to fans of Major League Rugby teams NOT named Rugby United NY. If we’ve been #RUNY top-heavy this week it’s because our HQ is but a stone’s throw from theirs and we organically have intel/insight re the NYC-based franchise. But all rugby fans can take a stab at answering the hypothetical question (not clickbait) asked in our headline: Did Rugby United NY Sign The #MLR2020 MVP?
The player we are asking about, of course, is Kyle Sumsion, who will be returning to Rugby United NY after all parties agreed to terms.
From the moment the 2020 version of the West Point & Brigham Young legend showed up in camp, the change was evident. This iteration of Sumsion was chiseled and had a noticeable fire in the eyes. It didn’t matter if it was a Staten Island training session – to which he had to commute to from West Point – or playing away from home and his family at the MLR season’s start, as is the plight of Northeastern teams. And that fire never flickered until the COVID-19 pandemic doused it, along with everything else, after 5 games.
But what a 5 games it was for the versatile forward! The former Houston Sabercat’s unrelenting physicality with and without the ball had many of us scooting to the edge of our seats or standing up. It was the kind of stuff that happens organically when an athlete first gets on your radar with some good ol’ fashioned “wow factor” play. Moreover, he’s a leader by example on and off the pitch and someone you instantly root for upon meeting him.
The Coronavirus denied us from seeing what might have been in 2020 but Sumsion re-upping puts any retirement rumors to bed. It also means we’ll get to watch him terrorize ball-carriers with bone-crushing tackles or make it “squeaky bum time” (Steve Lewis’ phrase) for would-be tacklers when he rumbles into the open with ball in hand. That’s something to look forward to.
So… Did Rugby United NY sign the MVP of Major League Rugby in 2020? If you watched his body of work over the that 5-match sampling, you could definitely make a case they did. I’d certainly 2nd the notion.
Feel free to leave your thoughts below.
More Major League Rugby…
Is Major League Rugby looking to produce professional 7s, as well as 15s? New England Free Jacks Co-Founder & Director of Rugby, Alex Magleby and David Barry, owner of the exceptional touring 7s side, the Ramblin Jesters, answer questions about their partnership and potential impact on the #MLR, Team USA and Rugby Canada… Is either Nate Ebner or Ellis Genge going to play for the Free Jacks? Bryan Ray of Americas Rugby News and host Matt McCarthy ask the questions.
PODCAST VERSION:
Still Want More?
Major League Chairman of the Board, Errik Anderson, offers insight and answers tough questions. Dan Power, Bryan Ray and Matt McCarthy hammer away re:
-Owners with multi-team ownership
-Ideal number of teams now and in the future
–Vancouver joining
-Dan Power’s Pat Mahomes crush
–Alex Magleby’s Zoom-bombing
–Salary Cap Skirting
Power, Ray & McCarthy also dive into:
–Andre Snyman’s MLR Snipes
–Super Rugby’s return to Australia
-Canceling the Americas Rugby Championship
–Argentina’s need to support Superliga Americana de Rugby (SLAR)
–USA Rugby furloughs of Coaches
PODCAST VERSION:
AND BE SURE TO SEE:
This one will go down as one of our favorites. A HUGE STAR as our Mystery Guest has Steve Lewis, Dan Power and Bryan Ray scrambling, scratching and faffing about. Yet, can they finally figure out who this storied rugby legend is?!
- Topics addressed:
–Beauden John Barrett to Japan
–Kangaroos v All Blacks: Cross-code Blasphemy?!
–Major League Rugby News
–Global Rugby Calendar Concerns
–Springboks Impact at home
PODCAST VERSION:
FINALLY…
The people that you get to meet in the rugby world are mostly all great – off the pitch, at least. And then there are those that you instantly want to hug and/or applaud. Detective Deltray “Tray” Belk is one of those people and that’s why he’s the focus of this Murphy Kennedy Group Community Corner segment. Please have a look/listen to this real-life Super Hero.
PODCAST VERSION:
Find All Here:
–Web: https://www.RugbyWrapUp.com
–Apple Podcasts/iTunes: Rugby Wrap Up
–Twitter: @RugbyWrapUp, @Matt_McCarthy00, @JonnyLewisFilms, @LizardRugby, @Junoir Blaber, @JWB_RWU, @Ronan Nelson, @MeetTheMatts, @Declan Yeats.
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