USA 2026

[yakstorm]

Any update on the california competition this year?

Unfortunately it's unclear what might be happening in California. The PCRL doesn't appear to exist anymore, same the United Nations Rugby League have been quiet ever since their Bay 9s tournament in September was postponed indefinitely.

From a club perspective, the San Diego Barracudas, LA Roosters, Sacramento Immortals and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans are all active and will be taking part in the Vegas 9s, so hopefully something can at least happen with those four. Further the LA Bandidos, which I thought became the Roosters, are still active in some form, and there is also the West LA Renegades who will be taking part in the Vegas 9s as well.

The LA Mongrel have been completely inactive since the issues last year, whilst the East Palo Alto Razorbacks seem to be 100% focused on only Rugby Union these days. The West LA Jackrabbitz, never really eventuated, though maybe the people involved there might be behind the Renegades side.

Will ask around and see if anyone is willing to share any info... surely some of these clubs have been chatting about getting something up.

 

[Ashburn]

there any poddy that cover US RL anymore bro?

 

[Gobsmacked]

Unfortunately it's unclear what might be happening in California. The PCRL doesn't appear to exist anymore, same the United Nations Rugby League have been quiet ever since their Bay 9s tournament in September was postponed indefinitely.

From a club perspective, the San Diego Barracudas, LA Roosters, Sacramento Immortals and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans are all active and will be taking part in the Vegas 9s, so hopefully something can at least happen with those four. Further the LA Bandidos, which I thought became the Roosters, are still active in some form, and there is also the West LA Renegades who will be taking part in the Vegas 9s as well.

The LA Mongrel have been completely inactive since the issues last year, whilst the East Palo Alto Razorbacks seem to be 100% focused on only Rugby Union these days. The West LA Jackrabbitz, never really eventuated, though maybe the people involved there might be behind the Renegades side.

Will ask around and see if anyone is willing to share any info... surely some of these clubs have been chatting about getting something up.

I wonder what a top down approach from an entity like the NRL would look like. Funding, structure, accountability, administration ect.
What would that model look like.
It would obviously be an investment from the NRL, a cash outlay with an expectation on return.

As a thought experiment:
The NRL fund a west coast Rugby league competition.
A ten team league.
Let's say each club gets 1 million in funding.
For the 1 million dollar grant from the NRL, there's boxes that need to be ticked:
Participation in 10 home games and 10 away without forfeit for a first grade and reserves
3 junior teams.
Keep an attendance record.
Provide online coverage of each game.

The return of investment in the assurance that RL has a consistent sustainable presence in north America.

Would 10 million pa get it done?

 

[yakstorm]

The NRL don't spend $10m on the Vegas event currently, so I don't see them spending that type of money unless they are looking to launch a NRL USA professional RL competition, in which case, I imagine they'd look to have teams from coast-to-coast.

That said, considering the NRL now does have a full time US presence in John Vellis and his team, it would be nice if they could work together with some of the western based teams, especially as most of the USARL administration is on the east coast. Utah would possibly come back to the fold if they were working with someone from the NRL.

 

[yakstorm]

Trio of Canadian teams confirmed for Vegas 9s
Three more Canadian teams have been confirmed for the Vegas Nines, with the BC Bulldogs, BC Storm and Toronto Saints set to join the Ontario Ospreys and Scarborough Aces at the tournament.

All three teams are set to join their respective Men's and Women's community divisions.

Breakdown of teams confirmed so far for 2026 are:
USA: 18 Teams
Canada: 5 Teams
Australia: 11 Teams
UK: 2 Teams

MEN'S:
Premier Division
Titans Industry (Queensland, Australia), Hunslet (Yorkshire, UK), United Sporting Club (Queensland, Australia), Wide Bay Renegades (Queensland, Australia), Atlanta Copperheads (Georgia, USA), National Collegiate Rugby All Stars (USA), LA Roosters (California, USA), Sacramento Immortals (California, USA)

Community Division
Coogee-Randwick Wombats (NSW, Australia), San Diego Barracudas (California, USA), Skirlaugh Rangers (Yorkshire, UK), Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans (California, USA), West L.A Renegades (California, USA), Atlanta Copperheads (Georgia, USA), Brooklyn Kings (New York, USA), RugbyExpo Academy (USA), Boston Bears (Massachusetts, USA), Sin City Islanders (Nevada, USA), Bluffdale City Rabbitahz (Utah, USA), Toronto City Saints (Ontario, Canada), BC Bulldogs (British Columbia, Canada)


WOMEN's
Premier Division
Titans Industry (Queensland, Australia), Nesian Gummas (Queensland, Australia), Garramilla Duavata (NT, Australia), Hunter Hurricanes (NSW, Australia), Indigenous Mana (Queensland, Australia), National Collegiate Rugby All Stars (USA), LA Roosters (California, USA), Ontario Osprey (Ontario, Canada), AusVegas Angels (Australia)

Community Division
San Diego Barracudas (California, USA), Scarborough Aces (Ontario, Canada), FNQ Pearls (Queensland, Australia), Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans (California, USA), Atlanta Copperheads (Georgia, USA), BC Storm (British Columbia, Canada)

 

[yakstorm]

More teams confirmed for Vegas 9s
Some more North American teams have been confirmed for the Vegas 9s. The Provo Broncos (Utah), East Palo Alto Razorbacks (California) and Roots Rugby (National) have all been confirmed by the official NRL Vegas 9s account, whilst the Ontario Ospreys have confirmed that the Alberta Broncos will be there as well.

Razorbacks & Broncos will only entering a Men's team this year, whilst Roots will enter a team in the Men's Premier division and Women's community division. Alberta Broncos will be in the Women's community division, and it looks like the Ontario Ospreys will drop down to the community division.

Breakdown of teams confirmed so far for 2026 are:
USA: 22 Teams
Canada: 6 Teams
Australia: 12 Teams
UK: 2 Teams

MEN'S:
Premier Division
Titans Industry (Queensland, Australia), Hunslet (Yorkshire, UK), United Sporting Club (Queensland, Australia), Wide Bay Renegades (Queensland, Australia), Atlanta Copperheads (Georgia, USA), National Collegiate Rugby All Stars (USA), LA Roosters (California, USA), Sacramento Immortals (California, USA), Roots Rugby (USA)

Community Division
Titans Industry (Queensland, Australia), Coogee-Randwick Wombats (NSW, Australia), San Diego Barracudas (California, USA), Skirlaugh Rangers (Yorkshire, UK), Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans (California, USA), West L.A Renegades (California, USA), Atlanta Copperheads (Georgia, USA), Brooklyn Kings (New York, USA), RugbyExpo Academy (USA), Boston Bears (Massachusetts, USA), Sin City Islanders (Nevada, USA), Bluffdale City Rabbitahz (Utah, USA), Toronto City Saints (Ontario, Canada), BC Bulldogs (British Columbia, Canada), Provo Broncos (Utah, USA), East Palo Alto Razorbacks (California, USA)


WOMEN's
Premier Division
Titans Industry (Queensland, Australia), Nesian Gummas (Queensland, Australia), Garramilla Duavata (NT, Australia), Hunter Hurricanes (NSW, Australia), Indigenous Mana (Queensland, Australia), National Collegiate Rugby All Stars (USA), LA Roosters (California, USA), AusVegas Angels (Australia)

Community Division
San Diego Barracudas (California, USA), Scarborough Aces (Ontario, Canada), FNQ Pearls (Queensland, Australia), Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans (California, USA), Atlanta Copperheads (Georgia, USA), BC Storm (British Columbia, Canada), Ontario Osprey (Ontario, Canada), Alberta Broncos (Alberta, Canada), Roots Rugby (USA)

 

[yakstorm]

National Collegiate Rugby All Star squads announced
The National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) have announced it's Men's and Women's All Stars squad following the All Stars Championships held in Atlanta in January.

Whilst it hasn't been confirmed yet, I imagine these squads will be refined prior to they tournament (they are quite large squads and have been selected from both the 7s and 15s tournaments held), some players, like Fraser Leslie and Stephan Herbst have already been confirmed that they'll be at Vegas in late February.

Hopefully in future years of this partnership, the NCR is encouraged to enter more than one team in the Nines.

Men's:

• Akongnwi Chungong - New Mexico Tech
• John Cox - Holy Cross
• Cassius Grimes -Fairfield University
• River Hanson - Duke University
• Ren Heimer - University of Iowa
• Stephan Herbst - Walsh University
• Luka Jansen Van Vuuren - Kutztown University
• Keanin Kamp - Queens University
• Ethan Knight - Dartmouth College
• Fraser Leslie - Walsh University
• Etuate Lolohea - Iowa Central
• Connor Malau'ulu - Southern Nazarene University
• Patrick McMahon - Boston College
• Gavin McNicholl - Fordham University
• Shamar Molock - Towson University
• Takudzwa Musingwini - Wheeling University
• Alex Nyamunda - Wheeling University
• Jamie Phillips - Dartmouth College
• Matt Schwab, Brown University
• Tanyaradzwa Takaendisa - St. Bonaventure University
• Manulua Taula - St. Bonaventure University
• Harrison Tu’isila - Belmont Abbey College
• Seth Vallance - Queens University

Women's:

• Lauren Anderson - Southern Nazarene
• Sophia Bailey - Vassar
• Kourtney Bichotte-Dunner - Northeastern
• Kaitlyn Boggs - Coast Guard Academy
• Tamzin Boyce - Wheeling
• Kate Delaney - Virginia
• Ada Erhart - Ohio State
• Riley Erickson - Southern Nazarene
• Emma Hastings - Northern Iowa
• Halle Hill - Minnesota
• Morgan Hunt - Howard
• Milena Keene - Virginia
• Tabitha Keith - Iowa
• Natalie Lamar - St. Bonaventure
• Danica Luzak - Penn State
• Tiara Mason - Purdue
• Molly McAlevey - Northeastern
• Lily McGettigan - Brown
• Palu Sau - Southern Nazarene
• Zoë Simmons - Michigan
• Emma Tai - Wheeling
• Carlyan Vigbedor - Norwich
• Vivianne Wright - Southern Nazarene

 

[Mother Nature's Son]

National Collegiate Rugby All Star squads announced
The National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) have announced it's Men's and Women's All Stars squad following the All Stars Championships held in Atlanta in January.

More teams confirmed for Vegas 9s

Some more North American teams have been confirmed for the Vegas 9s.

If the Vegas thing runs its` course it will be the discontinuation of events like these that would be a real shame.

 

[yakstorm]

If the Vegas thing runs its` course it will be the discontinuation of events like these that would be a real shame.

I'm hopeful that the Vegas concept evolves into Global Round and that the NRL will keep a presence in the US (or even expands its presence) in some capacity even if the fans in AU/NZ/UK no longer travel in the same numbers as they have been.

From a domestic perspective, the NRL having a game in Florida or California instead of Vegas is unlikely to be a negative for the NCR partnership or the Nines (potentially would get more support) though it does become a lot less appealing for international fans.

 

[yakstorm]

LA & Sydney Roosters partner with LAPD to deliver coaching clinics in Watts district

Roosters, Beetson Foundation combine with LAPD for youth initiative

Arthur Beetson's legacy is set to continue in the United States as the Roosters combine with Los Angeles Police Department for a coaching clinic ahead of the NRL’s season opening double-header at Allegiant Stadium.

www.nrl.com

The article goes into more detail, but long story short, Roosters will work with the LAPD for a second consecutive year to hold Rugby League clinics in LA in the lead up to Vegas.

 

[yakstorm]

LA Roosters have announced UNIO as their 2026/27 major sponsor. Possibly most encouraging thing in the announcement is news that the Roosters will participate in the 2026 USARL Domestic competition.

LA ROOSTERS WELCOME UNIO GLOBAL AS MAJOR SPONSOR — Los Angeles Roosters

LA ROOSTERS WELCOME UNIO GLOBAL AS MAJOR SPONSOR The LA Roosters are proud to announce UNIO Global as the club’s Major Sponsor for the 2026 season and beyond, marking a significant step forward in the club’s long-term growth and vision. The partnership brings together two organisations aligned by

www.laroosters.net

 

[Gobsmacked]

LA Roosters have announced UNIO as their 2026/27 major sponsor. Possibly most encouraging thing in the announcement is news that the Roosters will participate in the 2026 USARL Domestic competition.

LA ROOSTERS WELCOME UNIO GLOBAL AS MAJOR SPONSOR — Los Angeles Roosters

LA ROOSTERS WELCOME UNIO GLOBAL AS MAJOR SPONSOR The LA Roosters are proud to announce UNIO Global as the club’s Major Sponsor for the 2026 season and beyond, marking a significant step forward in the club’s long-term growth and vision. The partnership brings together two organisations aligned by

www.laroosters.net

So does that mean participate in the Pacific coast?
Any idea what that is looking like?

 

[yakstorm]

So does that mean participate in the Pacific coast?
Any idea what that is looking like?

I don't think the PCRL will be back, but it's looking like there will be some sort of competition.

The LA Roosters & San Diego Barracudas have both affiliated with the USARL for 2026, looks like the Dead Pelicans & Immortals will as well. Four is enough for a competition. There is also the East Palo Alto Razorbacks and LA Renegades taking part in the Vegas 9s, so there's not much excuse for nothing to take place.

 

[yakstorm]

Vegas 9s - Women's Premier Teams
Garramilla Duavata (NT) appear to have dropped down to the Community League (Team confirmed only 12hrs ago they're still heading to Vegas), so there will only be 7 teams in the Women's Premier division at the Vegas 9s.

Each team will play each other once in the pools, with only the top two qualifying for the Finals, which will be played at Allegiant Stadium.

 

[yakstorm]

Vegas 9s - Men's Premier Teams
Men's Premier division will feature 10 teams in 2026, with the East Palo Alto Razorbacks making the step up from the Community division to ensure even pools.



Top four from each pool will make the Finals, with the Grand Final to be played at Allegiant Stadium.

 

[yakstorm]

Final NCR All Star squads
The final squads for the National Collegiate Rugby Men's & Women’s All Stars teams have been named.

 

[yakstorm]

LA Roosters again running out with a stacked squad:

 

[yakstorm]

Vegas Results (so far):

Men's Community 9s
Cup GF: Titans of Coal 30 - 14 Coogee-Randwick Wombats
Cup Bronze: Brooklyn Kings 16 - 10 Skirlaugh
Plate GF: Toronto Saints 18 - 16 Riverton Seagulls

Women’s Community 9s
Cup GF: Garamilla Duavata 18 - 12 Scarborough Aces

Men's Premier 9s
Tomorrow's final at Allegiant Stadium will be between the Titans of Coal and United Sporting Club.

If the third place final still goes ahead, it will be between the LA Roosters and Hunslet.

Women’s Premier 9s
Tomorrow's final at Allegiant Stadium will be between the LA Roosters and AusVegas Angels

Youth International
Scotland 30 - 10 USA

Women's International
Scotland 26 - 14 USA

 

[Foreign Legion]

Just watch the USA v Scots, good game. US wins

 

[yakstorm]

Just watch the USA v Scots, good game. US wins

Yeap a good 28 - 20 win by the Hawks. They really stepped up in the second half