NEWS

Major League Rugby Partners with Rhino Rugby for 2020 Season

SALT LAKE CITY (January 2, 2019) – Major League Rugby (MLR) is excited to announce their partnership with one of the leading rugby brands, Rhino Rugby, as the official ball and technical training equipment supplier for the 2020 MLR season.

Rhino Rugby provided the Vortex Elite ball as the official MLR match balls for all 12 teams. The Vortex Elite Match ball is currently the official ball of Rugby Europe and Asia Rugby and domestically has been used in the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) the past several years. Its unsurpassed high-quality construction features Rhino’s signature Aerosensa Technology, a patented laminate that includes unique aerodynamic properties. Rhino is also providing Hurricane practice balls as well as innovative ruck and hit shields, which provide a quality element to training that does not exist with other brands and have been used in multiple Rugby World Cups. The third MLR season begins on February 8, 2020 and many of the 12 teams have already begun their preseasons with the new Rhino equipment.

“We are excited to be working with Rhino Rugby because of their reputation for providing premier quality rugby equipment. As the pinnacle of North American rugby, we have to provide the best equipment on field for our athletes, and Rhino Rugby will make that possible,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew.

“We are thrilled to partner with Major League Rugby and provide their professional athletes with the highest quality rugby balls and top of the line technical training equipment. Unmatched worldwide, Rhino products will ensure their training and game play will elevate to the next level. We are proud to be Major League Rugby’s Official Ball and Equipment Supplier and are dedicated to contributing to the growth of rugby in America” said Jim Kozack, Chief Marketing Officer of Rhino Rugby USA.

About Major League Rugby –

Major League Rugby is a professional rugby league that is entering its third season (2020) and represents the highest level of competition in North America. The league evolved from 7 teams in 2018 to 12 teams in 2020, featuring 11 from the United States and one from Canada distributed across an Eastern and Western Conference. The competition follows a league plus knockout format where teams play 16 regular season matches for a chance to advance to the playoffs. Matches are broadcast on CBS Sports Network, Facebook Live (for international viewers) and on different platforms in each local market. MLR prides itself on its incredible athletes, the passionate community behind them, and its strong values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition.

About Rhino Rugby –

For over 30 years, Rhino Rugby has been outfitting the world’s best rugby athletes with premier balls, equipment and apparel needed to compete at the highest level, while representing the core values of rugby; toughness, reliability, integrity, heritage and team spirit. With a proven record of delivering superior rugby products, leading universities, clubs and professional teams turn to Rhino for their rugby needs. As the official supplier to several international teams and top clubs worldwide, the brand recently celebrated 25 years of supplying the England Rugby Team. In addition, the British & Irish Lions, the PRO14, and the Super League have used Rhino products. Rhino Rugby has also supplied all training equipment and pitch kits to the Rugby World Cups in 1991,1995, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

Visit rhinorugby.com to learn more about how Rhino Rugby’s innovative balls, equipment and apparel are revolutionizing sports.

Press Contact:

Alicia Richardson

arichardson@usmlr.com

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