There is no shortage of veteran Island players in Major League Rugby. Yet, it’s the youngest Islander making among the biggest hits.
Lachlan Kratz, a 21-year-old from Victoria and former Canada U-20 player, had one of the strongest rookie debut performances in MLR history last weekend with nine carries for 77 metres, three tackle breaks and 10 ruck arrivals for New Orleans-based NOLA Gold (4-2-1) in the 22-14 win against Toronto Arrows. Kratz followed up Saturday with another outstanding game in the 28-26 victory over the Houston SaberCats. It’s all been a bit of a whirlwind for the emerging outside-centre.
“The whole thing has been super spontaneous. I came down for a try-out and was surprised and happy to be offered my first pro contract,” said the six-foot, 210-pound Castaway Wanderers club product.
“It helped that I was already used to playing against men’s strength players in the B.C. Premiership. It’s amazing. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a pro athlete. But you question yourself sometimes. These are my first games in more than a year because of the pandemic. I felt good after my first tackle. I knew I belonged.”
Kratz won the B.C. high school championship with Oak Bay and was entering his third season with the University of Victoria Vikes – he is enroled in the UVic Gustavson School of Business — when the pandemic forced cancellation of both the university and B.C. Premier League seasons.
It was Canadian World Cup player and former international sevens legend Phil Mack of Victoria who recommended Kratz to NOLA Gold. That’s the sort of gift you acknowledge with head bowed in gratitude.
“Turning just 21 years old last week, Lockie becomes the youngest player on our active roster. In his short time so far with us, his skills, work rate, and willingness to learn have been very impressive,” said NOLA Gold GM Ryan Fitzgerald, in a statement.
“Lockie has a really big future ahead of him.”
Born in San Diego, and raised on the Island since age three, Kratz is a dual Canada-U.S. citizen. He has donned only the Maple Leaf, representing Canada in the U-20 Junior World Rugby Trophy in Bucharest, Romania, 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina and 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games in Nassau, Bahamas.
“The World Cup in XVs and Olympics in sevens are definitely dreams,” said Kratz.
There is also the aspiration of possibly playing pro overseas with the sport’s big-name clubs.
“I am really excited by the possibilities.”
Rugby has been a family affair with brother Gavin Kratz, two years older, also having played for Oak Bay High, UVic Vikes, CW and Canada U-20.
Other Island players in MLR this season include SMUS-grad Quinn Ngawati of Victoria with Rugby United New York; Shawnigan Lake School and UVic Vikes grad Giuseppe du Toit of Toronto Arrows; Kyle Baillie of Westshore RFC with NOLA; former UVic and CW star Doug Fraser of Ladysmith, former Canada and CW standout Ciaran Hearn and Luke Campbell of Victoria with D.C. Old Glory; Crosby Stewart out of UVic and Liam Murray from James Bay Athletic Association with Houston; former UVic and CW star and two-time Canada World Cup player Jake Ilnicki and Shawnigan Lake-grad George Barton of Duncan with Seattle Seawolves; Josh Larsen of Nanaimo captaining New England Free Jacks; Josh Thiel of JBAA with San Diego Legion; and all-time Canada tries leader DTH van de Merwe out of JBAA with Los Angeles Giltinis.
