Johan Momsen Named Major League Rugby Forward Of The Year
Johan Momsen Named
Major League Rugby Forward Of The Year
Johan Momsen played a vital part in Rugby ATL’s campaign to win the Eastern Conference Final and face LA in the MLR Championship Final. While Rugby ATL fell just short of bringing home the Championship Shield, Momsen’s efforts earned him the title of Forward of the Year for his impressive season.
Playing 1,168 minutes for Scott Lawrence’s Rugby ATL in 2021, the 25-year-old lock forward completed his second year in Georgia. Momsen made 17 appearances this season, scoring five tries along the way.
A hard hitter, Momsen carried the ball on 103 occasions, each one of those carries into contact, breaking 22 tackles in the process and making 513 meters. Off-the-charts statistics for a player in his position, the South African backed up his attacking flair with uncompromising defense.
Making 193 tackles, no one else on ATL’s roster put the shoulder in more. Seventeen of those tackles were dominant, with the opposition’s attack losing momentum as a result, and Momsen turned the ball over on five occasions.
Also influential at the lineout, he took the ball 83 times in the air in attack and stole the opposition’s ball on 11 occasions at the set-piece, which accounted for 53 percent of the team’s tries scored in 2021.
Such was the trust in Momsen, who played at No. 8. in the Championship Final because of his athleticism and ability to influence the game with his power.
Earlier this week Major League Rugby released the All-MLR team selections and the overall Player of the Year. Stay tuned for additional end of season awards to be released by MLR across the week.
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About Major League Rugby
Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fourth season on March 20, 2021 and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 13 teams in 2021, featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, among other national and local market platforms. Select matches are available to stream live in North America on The Rugby Network, and all matches are available on The Rugby Network for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit www.MajorLeague.Rugby, and download the MLR App on the App Store/Google Play.