👉 NEED TO KNOW TODAY 👈

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Cape Town SVNS: This weekend's new format sees the group winners advancing directly to the Cup semifinals, second-placed teams proceeding to the 5th–8th place playoffs, and the third-placed teams competing in the 9th–12th place playoffs.

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‍Ilona Maher Effect: As others pointed out on social media yesterday, Ilona Maher is creating rugby jobs—the Bristol Bears are hiring a short-term social media manager to "tell the story of her next blockbuster chapter in Bear Country."

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📰 HEADLINES 📰

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COLLEGE RUGBY‍

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NCR: Instant Replay Review to Be Introduced for National Championship Matches (National Collegiate Rugby)

• Quotable: "The TMO is an important step forward, aligning college rugby with international rugby standards. The replay review provides another tool for our experienced referee crews to confirm on-field calls while still maintaining the flow of the game," said NCR Director of Referees Dave Haines.  

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MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY

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Latest Signings:

• Houston SaberCats
  • Prop LaRome White

• Old Glory DC
  • Hooker Martin Vaca

• RFCLA
  • Fullback Rory van Vugt

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🎽 MLR KIT RANKINGS 🎽

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Kitmas: Major League Rugby Unveils Game Kits for 2025 season (Major League Rugby)

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‍Ranking Criteria:

• I used the format that MLR stats guru James Deeley created for his 2023 MLR home kit rankings.

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Constructive Criticisms:

• A few of the looks did not feature a front-of-kit sponsor logo, which could affect the overall rankings if a color clash occurs between a sponsor logo and team marks.  

• The lack of a complete look—it's essential to see the color of the shorts and socks to provide a full appraisal.

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‍Excellent:

• Miami Sharks Home Kit
  • They've ratcheted up the Miami Vice vibe a notch this season—even a New England Free Jacks employee had to give his props [check the comments on IG]. Plus, the massive VISA logo looks pretty good on the chest.  

• Chicago Hounds Home Kit
  • There are some subtle changes to their excellent 2024 home kits, with the Houndstooth pattern on the numbers being a nice touch this year.  

• New England Free Jacks Club Kit
  • As the old saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." The inclusion of "Let's Ride" on the bottom of the jersey is fantastic.  

• Utah Warriors Home & Away Kits
  • A massive upgrade from their bland kits last season—loving the return of the mountain, and the jersey pairs well with the primary sponsor.

Great:

• Seattle Seawolves Home Kit
  • Bringing back the blue and green combo was so necessary.  

Solid:

• NOLA Gold Away Kit
  • I like the subtle tweak to last year's home kit that showed the four quadrants, but if NOLA pairs the away jersey with purple shorts and socks, this look could rise up the rankings.

• Old Glory DC Away Kit
  • An all-white away kit would look so clean—at kickoff—and the Macron release stated that "the game kit is inspired by the official apparel worn by US athletes at the recent Paris Olympics."

• Houston SaberCats Home Kit
  • Houston's away kit last season—the all-yellow look—was awesome. I wish they hadn't moved away from that.

Fine:

• San Diego Legion Away Kit
  • As others have already commented, the Legion's home jersey could be mistaken for the All Blacks, making the pop of color in the away jersey a necessary addition.  

• RFCLA Home Kit
  • It's certainly a matter of personal preference, but I preferred last season's look.  

• Anthem RC Home Kit
  • The kits appear to have less stars than last year...was hoping for something a bit more this season.