YORKTON - If you are a rugby fan – and I most certainly am one – then you were likely counting the days until the start of a new Major League Rugby season kick-off.
Entering its fifth season MLR began with matches Feb. 5, including the league’s newest team the Dallas Jackals visiting their cross-state rivals the Austin Gilgronis, the fledgling side being hammered 43-7.
The Toronto Arrows, Canada’s lone MLR team, started their 2022 campaign Feb. 6, visiting the Seattle Seawolves, where they unfortunately dropped a 21-8 loss, with the Seattle defence ‘The Sea Wall’ pretty much stymieing every attack by TO.
When the Arrows took to the pitch a new face, at least in terms of the Arrows, was in the line-up. During the off season TO pulled a trade with New Orleans to acquire veteran Canadian rugby stalwart Kyle Baillie bringing the Prince Edward Island-born 30-year-old back to Canada to continue his pro career.
“I’m definitely excited,” he said in a recent interview with this reporter ahead of the season opener, adding the move certainly puts him closer to home allowing “friends and family to come out and support me.”
While happy to be in TO, Baillie said the trade was not one he was expecting.
“That was definitely out of the blue,” he said, then reiterated “. . . I’m really excited to be here.”
Baillie’s involvement in the sport to begin with was sort of out of the blue too.
“I was a classic Canadian kid that played hockey growing up,” he said.
Then in school he was introduced to rugby, and Baillie’s focus changed.
“I fell in love with the game,” he said, adding there is something unique and special about rugby where “. . . 15 guys are working toward a common goal on the field all the time.”
What the Arrows get in Baillie is a tall, lanky, veteran with a long resume in the sport.
The 6’5”, 245lb forward’s experience extends beyond pro rugby too, as he has collected 32 caps (games played), for Canada since making his international debut against the United States in February 2016. Baillie’s time on the national team includes playing at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The World Cup appearances are huge for Baillie.
“The World Cup is the pinnacle of rugby,” he said, adding those games “. . . are definitely my biggest highlight of my rugby career.”
While pointing to World Cup play as the highlight of his rugby career, it is not something Baillie will have a chance to enjoy at the next world event in 2023, as Canada failed to qualify for Rugby World Cup for the first time last October.
Canada had competed at the nine previous editions of the World Cup dating back to 1987.
The Canadian men lost their chance to return to the World Cup after a 33-24 defeat to Chile which gave the Chileans a 54-46 aggregate victory in the two-game total points qualifying series.
The 21st-ranked Canadian men held a slim lead over No. 28 Chile after their 22-21 opening-leg win in Langford, B.C.
“We’ve missed this cycle of the World Cup,” said Baillie, adding that is a huge disappointment.
The loss is sort of a ‘changing of the guard’ moment for the national team, he said, noting there is a lot of younger players now in their early 20s who will be the face of the team when it tries to reclaim a spot for 2027.
As a pro, Baillie, now 30, is entering his fourth MLR season, after spending three seasons with the New Orleans Gold. He played 20 games for NOLA including eight in 2021 while serving as the Gold’s captain.
Before the MLR, Baillie played for the Ohio Aviators in PRO Rugby, a North American pro league that lasted only one season.
Baillie has also played overseas beginning in Australia with Shute Shield Side Eastern Suburbs in 2015. He later played professionally in England, with Saracens in 2017, and later with London Scottish in the 2017-2018 season.
Now back in Canada Baillie said he hopes he can lend his experience to both the Arrows and to growing the sport in Canada, adding coaching might well lie in his future.
“I’d definitely explore an opportunity like that,” he said.
In terms of building the game in this country, Baillie said the MLR is a key element, as it provides a goal for young players who can aspire to play the game professionally.
More immediate though is the Arrows season.
“We are looking strong,” said Baillie. “A lot of the same core guys are back from last year.”
Last season the Arrows were only 5-11, but played every game away from Toronto, using Atlanta as a home base due to COVID.
Being back on home turf has the team excited, said Baillie.
“Everyone is king of chomping at the bit,” he said.
