NEWS

The 2020 Draft Picks Taking On Each Other In The Race For The Playoffs

Written by Joe Harvey | Photos by Justin Walker and Craig Boudreaux

Just over 52 weeks ago, Andrew Guerra and Justin Johnson were sitting on their couches, waiting to see if they had been selected in the inaugural Major League Rugby Draft. 

Each would be selected in the first round, Johnson sixth overall by the New England Free Jacks and Guerra 10th by NOLA Gold.

Since then, each player has set about establishing themselves with their new teams and homes, both having made multiple appearances for their team’s  this season. 

Attending Notre Dame College, Guerra captained his school for two seasons, while also making the D1A Rugby East First Team All Conference for consecutive seasons.

Johnson was a two-time national champion with Life University, the forward making the USA U20s during his time in Georgia before packing his bags and heading to Massachusetts. 

Now, in front of the CBSSN’s cameras on Saturday afternoon, the pair will be facing off as the battle for the East Conference continues, both teams still in with a chance for making the playoffs.

GETTING DRAFTED

“I found out just as everyone else found out,” Guerra told majorleague.rugby. “The first three picks were named singularly and then for the rest of the Draft they put them out in threes. 

“So, I found out when I saw my picture on the screen, so it was definitely nerve-wracking moment. I was able to be with some of my family and friends at the house for that and it was kind of a boom or bust moment.

“It’s crazy to think that is was a year ago. It has flown by, but I am so happy to be at NOLA. I have loved the experience so far; I was lucky to get down here early last year and get around the boys early.”

Arriving in Louisiana well in advance of the season starting, Guerra has been embedded with his team for quite some time. This is something of contrast to Johnson who first arrived in New England in February.

When Johnson arrived in New England, he was more than aware of the challenge ahead of him with a wealth of experienced back-row players to contend for selection with.

Tera Mtembu came to the team with over 10 years as a professional in his native South Africa, Joe Johnston arriving from Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, Wian Conradie who has played at two Rugby World Cups for Namibia and Evan Geist already had MLR experience from 2020. 

“When I first talked to them, they said they were looking to groom me and that I probably wasn’t going to play that much this season,” Johnson said. “But, since then, I have started every game until I got concussed against New York.

“It has been a huge privilege. The first game (against LA) I started was at eight man and I hadn’t played there since my sophomore year of college and I did okay before I went back to six, which is my natural position.

Photo by Justin Walker

“I talk to all the guys, especially in the back-row. Wian our starting eight man a complete animal from Namibia, he was my roommate when we were in LA and he was my backup. I got to chat with him more and more and he kind of coaches me through things and we have created a really good bond.

“They make you feel comfortable and playing with them makes you want to play at a certain level, you want to play at their level, so it makes you better automatically by just being around them.”

A POTENTIAL EAGLE

Now having made nine starts for Nate Osbourne’s NOLA, Guerra has quickly become one of the stars of the inaugural draft class.

Following the encounter with New England this weekend, Guerra will be heading to London with USA Rugby as a part of Gary Gold’s squad. 

One of two 2020 Draft picks in the 30-man travelling squad, Austin’s Conner Mooneyham being the other, both players will be hopeful of gaining their first international caps in July.

“When the MLR season started, I was able to showcase myself in the games.” Guerra said. “I found out a week before the 41-man roster that I would be in the running for that from my coaches at NOLA and then Gary Gold reached out to us.

Photo by Craig Boudreaux

“Then for the 30-man roster, I found out through an email at like 11 o’clock at night. Obviously, it was very emotional, it is a huge goal for any American rugby player to get that recognition and it makes me very thankful for all the people I have had in my life that have steered me onto the right path.

“But that is just the beginning. Now it is time to show up and perform for them as well and show why I have earned that spot.”

The 2021 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft is taking place on August 19th and applications must be submitted by Friday, August 6th, 2021, at 11:59 CT. 

GOING FOR THE PLAYOFFS

NOLA’s and New England’s encounter could be hugely influential in how the East Conference could finish. Currently, New Orleans are just three points behind Rugby United New York, while the Free Jacks are four points behind their opposition this weekend. 

“If we don’t win this week, we are not going to the playoffs,” Johnson said. “That is pretty much how we are thinking about it. Our mindset is that we have to win the next four games, and that is what we instill every day.

“But it is one game at a time, this week it is NOLA, we have to win, get the bonus point and make sure they don’t get the bonus point. If we do that then we will go third and then it is the next week and it is the same thing again.”

With USA and Canada players departing clubs for several weekends, Guerra is one of two New Orleans players selected by the Eagles for this tour. With games against LA and Seattle taking place while he is away, the flanker saying that a win this weekend will set the team off on the right path on the road to playing postseason rugby.

“In order for us to make the playoffs, they are going to have to win when we are not here, so we need to take control of our own destiny,” Guerra said. “That has been the messages from the coaches, that here on out, it is playoff rugby every weekend.

“It is win or go home because in order for us to control our own destiny we are going to have to win. Each game is a championship game for us, a huge game.”

HOW TO WATCH

Fans in the USA can watch NOLA’s encounter with the New England Free Jacks on CBSSN, and those watching from outside the USA can view for free on The Rugby Network.