The founders of Noodle Bagz are rugby players and anyone who knows the game, also knows how supportive, resilient, and strong this global community is. With our rugby roots, we’re keen to grow that culture through business with the effort to give back and support athletes in pursuit of their rugby dreams. We appreciate work rate, wicked talent, and a mad lad on the field when we see one. We had our eye on some key players in the MLR so we connected with our mates at High Performance Management for the Q level intel on the player watch with season forecasting and they delivered with results that would make Miss Cleo quiver. A few zooms and a socially distanced meet and greet later, we’re beyond stoked to announce our backing of Malacchi Esdale for the 2021 Major League Rugby Season.

Malacchi Esdale Career Highlights
Mal is second to Sam Windsor (29) for the most career matches played for the SaberCats and tied with Cecil Garber at 28. He started 3 matches on the left-wing and played in another as a reserve in 2020.

He played 1160 minutes in 15 matches and scored 4 tries during the 2019 MLR season. Mal carried 95 times, had 11 line breaks, 9 offloads, and made 89 bruising tackles!

The USA National Team came calling in 2020 and he answered in playing for the USA Falcons Sevens team at the Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji. He’s in Athlete Residency at the Chula Vista OTC with their eyes set on Olympic gold.

Get to know yer man:

NB: How did you find rugby or did it find you?
Mal: My friend came up to me and said, “do you want to play the best sport on earth?” and I said, “Yes, please.”

NB: Where would we find you In-between training sessions?
Mal: Napping…zzz

NB: Least favorite gym exercise?
Mal: Anything ab related.

NB: Share part of your recovery ritual?
Mal: Bottle of wine and an ice bath…or the hot tub.

NB: Name a must-have snack on an away game trip.
Mal: Welches fruit snacks and Cadbury chocolate!

NB: What’s the name of your house’s wifi?
Mal: GirrafePants419

NB: What’s the last thing you ordered on Amazon?
Mal: Someone actually hacked into my Amazon account and ordered an unreasonably priced dog bed and a pimple vacuum - so that’s the last thing that was purchased on my Amazon account.

NB: Protein Shake or Protein Bar?
Mal: Neither, pasta!

NB: What are you listening to?
Mal: Dreams, Fairytales, Fantasies - A$AP Ferg

NB: Favorite pair of Noodle Bagz?
Mal: Y2K Baby!!!

Follow Mal this season with MLR SaberCats and click into our Noodle Bagz Scoop newsletter and the feature Mal’s Cozy Tunes for the jams that make him move.

We’re stoked - it’s a match made and we’re keen to deepen our commitments to rugby in the United States and getting every team in Noodle Bagz for 2021. Come northern hemisphere summer sunshine, we will all be topped up on tan with toasted upper thighs.

Look for more from the collaboration between HPM and Noodle Bagz this year. Like Noodle Bagz, HPM is a rare bird: the first US-based rugby-specific management agency, owned and operated by US rugby players. Their mission is to elevate the game by developing and prioritizing American rugby athletes, before, during, and after match day. HPM athletes gain access to perks and team rep privileges with Noodle Bagz. Follow both organizations along with your favorite MLR teams this season and forever.

Ten Things About Your New Favorite American Rugby Player