Latest news with #CooperCoats
Hamilton Spectator
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
NOLA Gold folds, two California teams join forces in Major League Rugby shuffle
Major League Rugby, which operated with 11 teams this season, is down to nine. NOLA Gold, based in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, said Wednesday it will not be part of the pro rugby league in 2026. Earlier Wednesday, the San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFC LA) announced they will join forces and compete in the league next season as the California Legion. The new franchise will host matches across San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County, 'solidifying the new club's vision of becoming a representative of professional rugby in California.' NOLA Gold and San Diego have been part of the league since its inaugural season in 2018. RFC LA started life as Atlanta's Rugby ATL, relocating to California for the 2024 season. Other teams that took part in the league this season were the champion New England Free Jacks, Chicago Hounds, Old Glory DC (Washington, D.C.), Miami Sharks, Anthem RC (Charlotte, N.C.), Utah Warriors, Houston SaberCats and Seattle Seawolves. The league started with seven franchises (including Houston, Seattle and Utah) with original teams in Austin and Glendale, Colo., subsequently folding. The Toronto Arrows, Rugby United New York, L.A. Giltinis and Dallas Jackals also came and went. Toronto joined the league in 2019 but folded in November 2023 after the death of president and general partner Bill Webb. The NOLA Gold roster this season included Canadians Cooper Coats, Tyler Matchem and Callum Botchar while Andrew Coe, Matt Heaton and Conor Young were with RFC LA. NOLA Gold, which finished fifth in the six-team Eastern Conference at 4-12-0, announced its withdrawal from the league in a pithy statement on its website. 'NOLA Gold has informed the league that we do not intend to participate in the 2026 season. Discussions are ongoing with the League regarding future opportunities and potential pathways forward.' MLR CEO Nic Benson, meanwhile, said the new California team 'will build and connect rugby communities to elevate the game in Southern California.' 'We look forward to working with new ownership groups to align, grow rugby statewide,' he added in a statement. Canadian players have found a home in the MLR, with 16 Canadians in New England's squad alone this season. Canadians Andrew Quattrin, Piers von Dadelszen, Cam Nordli-Kelemeti, Ben LeSage and Brock Webster started for the Free Jacks in their 28-22 win over the Houston SaberCats on June 28 to claim their third straight MLR championship. Webster, who played a key role in two of the New England tries, was named player of the match. Canada captain Lucas Rumball and fellow Canadians Matt Owuru, Jason Higgins and brothers Mason and Noah Flesch play for the Chicago Hounds. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
NOLA Gold folds, two California teams join forces in Major League Rugby shuffle
Major League Rugby, which operated with 11 teams this season, is down to nine. NOLA Gold, based in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, said Wednesday it will not be part of the pro rugby league in 2026. Earlier Wednesday, the San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFC LA) announced they will join forces and compete in the league next season as the California Legion. The new franchise will host matches across San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County, 'solidifying the new club's vision of becoming a representative of professional rugby in California.' NOLA Gold and San Diego have been part of the league since its inaugural season in 2018. RFC LA started life as Atlanta's Rugby ATL, relocating to California for the 2024 season. Other teams that took part in the league this season were the champion New England Free Jacks, Chicago Hounds, Old Glory DC (Washington, D.C.), Miami Sharks, Anthem RC (Charlotte, N.C.), Utah Warriors, Houston SaberCats and Seattle Seawolves. The league started with seven franchises (including Houston, Seattle and Utah) with original teams in Austin and Glendale, Colo., subsequently folding. The Toronto Arrows, Rugby United New York, L.A. Giltinis and Dallas Jackals also came and went. Toronto joined the league in 2019 but folded in November 2023 after the death of president and general partner Bill Webb. The NOLA Gold roster this season included Canadians Cooper Coats, Tyler Matchem and Callum Botchar while Andrew Coe, Matt Heaton and Conor Young were with RFC LA. NOLA Gold, which finished fifth in the six-team Eastern Conference at 4-12-0, announced its withdrawal from the league in a pithy statement on its website. 'NOLA Gold has informed the league that we do not intend to participate in the 2026 season. Discussions are ongoing with the League regarding future opportunities and potential pathways forward.' MLR CEO Nic Benson, meanwhile, said the new California team 'will build and connect rugby communities to elevate the game in Southern California.' 'We look forward to working with new ownership groups to align, grow rugby statewide,' he added in a statement. Canadian players have found a home in the MLR, with 16 Canadians in New England's squad alone this season. Canadians Andrew Quattrin, Piers von Dadelszen, Cam Nordli-Kelemeti, Ben LeSage and Brock Webster started for the Free Jacks in their 28-22 win over the Houston SaberCats on June 28 to claim their third straight MLR championship. Webster, who played a key role in two of the New England tries, was named player of the match. Canada captain Lucas Rumball and fellow Canadians Matt Owuru, Jason Higgins and brothers Mason and Noah Flesch play for the Chicago Hounds. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2025.
CTV News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Belgium edges young Canadians 25-18 in rugby test match
Canada's Cooper Coats (10) tries to break through Belgium players during first half men's rugby action in Edmonton, on Saturday July 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Moral victories usually don't sit well with competitive players on losing teams, but Canada's men's rugby team accepted a 25-18 test loss to Belgium with an air of optimism on Saturday. Canada, which led 13-12 at halftime at Clarke Stadium, was undone by a clinical Belgian counterattack and some self-inflicted miscues at crucial times. Still, the squad felt good about its first showing under new head coach Stephen Meehan. Wing Josiah Morra, hooker Andrew Quattrin and replacement Siôn Parry crossed the try line for the Canadians, who fielded a youthful squad that included test debuts for fullback Brenden Black and substitute Kyle Tremblay. Halifax's Cooper Coats added a first-half penalty. Belgium — ranked one spot above Canada at No. 23 in the World Rugby Rankings heading into the match — made the most of limited opportunities, scoring three tries and adding a pair of late penalty goals from Hugo de Francq to keep the hosts at arm's length. 'It was a first run-out with the new setup we're running, and it's really exciting,' said second row Piers Von Dadelszen, who earned Teck Player of the Match honours. 'There's a lot we can take away from this — a few passes not sticking, and Belgium were awesome on the counterattack — but that's how we want to play. We're trying to bring a more exciting brand of rugby to Canadian fans, and we're looking forward to it all coming together going forward.' Canada opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a penalty-kick from Coats, before Belgium responded with a converted try from centre Florian Remue, set up by a line-breaking run from his brother Matias. A clever chip from Coats over the top led to Morra's first test try in the 22nd minute, but Belgium struck back three minutes later with a try of their own. Quattrin's try from a rolling maul just past the half-hour mark gave Canada a narrow 13-12 lead at the half, but the second half saw momentum swing repeatedly. A yellow card to Belgium's Remue appeared to give Canada the edge, but the visitors capitalized even while down a man, with Soenen finishing off a cross-field kick following an interception to restore their advantage. A pair of second-half penalties allowed Belgium to extend their lead, while Canada continued to press, eventually breaking through in the final play through Parry and ending the match with Canada's third and final try. Captain Lucas Rumball acknowledged the disappointment post-match but struck a note of optimism. 'We're pretty gutted,' said Rumball. 'We created some opportunities, but credit to Belgium — when we made mistakes, they capitalized. There's a lot of potential here. We just have to get things right and keep building. Thanks to the fans here in Edmonton for coming out and supporting us.' Saturday's match marked Belgium's first-ever victory over Canada in four test meetings and their first time scoring points against the Canadians since 2021. Up next Canada will complete its two-match home series at Edmonton's Clarke Stadium with a clash against Spain on Friday, July 18. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Stephen Meehan names first roster as Canada coach for Belgian test in Edmonton
Cooper Coats will make his first start at fly half while fullback Brenden Black earns his first 15s cap when Canada hosts Belgium on Saturday in Stephen Meehan's first game as Canadian rugby coach. Appointed in December, Meehan officially started in April. The 59-year-old Australian succeeds Kingsley Jones, who stepped down in December after seven years at the helm. After No. 23 Belgium, the 24th-ranked Canadians face No. 16 Spain on July 18, also at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton. The Belgians are coming off a 36-17 loss Saturday to the 15th-ranked United States in Charlotte, N.C. The Americans host Spain on Saturday, also in Charlotte. Coats, who has earned the majority of his 17 caps at fullback, will partner scrum half Brock Gallagher. Black, who played for the Canadian sevens side earlier this year, could be joined by debutant Kyle Tremblay who starts on the bench. Twelve of the starters are with Major League Rugby clubs including five from the three-time champion New England Free Jacks and three from the Chicago Hounds. Flanker Lucas Rumball, one of the Hounds, continues as captain under Meehan with New England hooker Andrew Quattrin appointed vice-captain. Veteran centre Ben Lesage, vice-captain under Jones, has been ruled out of the Belgium match as he recovers from an injury sustained in the June 28 MLR championship game. Talon McMullin, who made his debut in July 2024 in a 73-12 loss to No. 7 Scotland in Ottawa and scored his first international try in a 55-28 loss to No. 12 Japan in Vancouver last August, starts at inside centre. McMullin's twin brother Takoda also made his debut in the Scotland loss, becoming the 500th men's player to earn a cap for Canada. 'We've been really pleased with our week of preparation,' Meehan said in a statement. 'The players have trained very hard and that has created a lot of energy and healthy competition as they've all tried to earn a spot in the matchday 23. Belgium will challenge us right across the pitch, but we are well prepared.' The Canadian men have not played since a pair of November losses in Bucharest to No. 21 Romania (35-27) and No. 20 Chile (44-14). The other Free Jacks in the starting 15 are Cole Keith, Piers Von Dadelszen, Isaac Olsen and Josiah Morra. Foster Dewitt and Kyle Steeves are among the replacements. Rumball is joined by Chicago teammates Matt Oworu and Noah Flesch with Jason Higgins on the bench to start. The Edmonton tests are a warmup for the Pacific Nations Cup, which doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup. Canada opens Pacific Nations Cup play Aug. 25 against Japan on Aug. 25 in Vancouver before facing the U.S. on Aug 31 in Carson, Calif. The six-country tournament also features No. 9 Fiji, No. 13 Samoa and No. 19 Tonga, who will play in a separate pool. Each team will play two pool games before taking part in a final placement match. The top three teams will book their ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Australia. But given Fiji and Japan have already qualified through their performance at the last World Cup, a top-five finish would do it for Canada if Fiji and Japan finish above it. Should Canada fail to qualify via the Pacific Nations Cup, it will still have two more chances to make the World Cup field, via a playoff with the 2025 Sudamerica Rugby Championship runner-up and, finally, a four-team repechage tournament. Canada failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, the first time it has missed the sport's showcase, after losing two-legged qualifying series to the U.S. (59-50 on aggregate) and Chile (54-46). Canada Roster Calixto Martinez, White Rock, B.C., Old Glory DC (MLR); Andrew Quattrin, Holland Landing, Ont., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Cole Keith, Sussex, N.B., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Piers Von Dadelszen, Vancouver, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Izzak Kelly, White Rock, B.C., Capilano RFC; Matt Heaton, Godmanchester, Que., RFC LA (MLR); Lucas Rumball (capt.), Toronto, Chicago Hounds (MLR); Matt Oworu, Calgary, Chicago Hounds (MLR); Brock Gallagher, Edmonton, Seattle Seawolves (MLR); Cooper Coats, Halifax, NOLA Gold (MLR); Josiah Morra, Toronto, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Talon McMullin, White Rock, B.C., UBC; Noah Flesch, Cobourg, Ont., Chicago Hounds (MLR); Isaac Olson, Vernon, B.C., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Brenden Black, Oakville, Ont., University of Guelph. Replacements Dewald Kotze, Edmonton, Seattle Seawolves (MLR); Foster Dewitt, Courtenay, B.C., New England Free Jacks (MLR); Kyle Steeves, Winnipeg, New England Free Jacks (MLR); Callum Botchar, Vancouver, NOLA Gold (MLR); Siôn Parry, Cardiff, Wales, Ebbw Vale RFC (Wales); Jason Higgins, Cork, Ireland, Chicago Hounds (MLR); Peter Nelson, Dungannon, Northern Ireland, Dungannon RFC (Northern Ireland); Kyle Tremblay, White Rock, B.C., Pacific Pride. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025.
