MLR 2026 | The Best Signing: Coetzer or Hodgson?

Seattle and New England have found their generals — but how do MLR’s two marquee fly-half signings compare heading into 2026 season?

The role of rugby’s fly-half is often described as that of a general, the captain of the ship, the quarterback of the offense. Having a high-quality operator at number 10 can be the difference between winning and losing, or even between lifting a championship and falling short.

As we begin 2026 a new Major League Rugby season is on the horizon. Teams are unveiling their rosters and fans are eagerly scanning for the fresh faces, particularly the “general” tasked with steering the ship. Seattle Seawolves and New England Free Jacks have wasted no time making statements, securing two of the league’s premier playmakers. Davy Coetzer and Joel Hodgson are both on the move, but how do they compare? And who should be regarded as the best signing?

Coetzer arrived in MLR in 2022, signing with the Houston Sabercats. The South African–born fly-half spent four seasons in Houston before now making the move to the Pacific Northwest. Still just 26 years old, Coetzer ranks among the league’s top point scorers, scoring 18 tries across his MLR career. Despite injury challenges last season, he has amassed 358 points in 51 appearances.

Comfortable at both fly-half and fullback, Coetzer is electric on the counterattack, boasting elusive footwork, sharp instincts, and an eye for space. His kicking game is first class, and his ability to create something out of nothing provides genuine x-factor value. Perhaps most significant is his future availability for the USA Eagles making him a ‘domestic player’ in the MLR ranks. A domestic-quality fly-half is gold dust in MLR, and that alone elevates Coetzer’s value as a marquee signing for Seattle.

He also appears a natural fit for the Seawolves’ game plan. Known for their territorial kicking and lethal outside-channel attack, Seattle will rely on Coetzer to control field position, create space, and unleash threats out wide.

If Coetzer represents the young, elusive whipper-snapper, then Joel Hodgson is the methodical veteran — and that is no slight.

Since arriving in MLR in 2023 with the Utah Warriors, Hodgson has been a consistent points machine. The English-born fly-half brings experience from the Gallagher Premiership and the United Rugby Championship, along with proven leadership and a deadly boot. A composed game driver, Hodgson is exactly the kind of figure the New England Free Jacks will welcome as they enter a new season.

In one fewer season than Coetzer, Hodgson has tallied 12 tries in his 329 points across 49 appearances. Durable, reliable, and tactically astute, he fills a crucial void left by longtime Free Jacks general Jayson Potroz, who departed late last year.

Hodgson’s command of the game, coupled with his elite kicking and distribution, makes him an ideal fit for the men in Quincy. With expectations now permanently set at Championship level, New England’s new fly-half could be the key figure in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive MLR title.

So, who will reign supreme at number 10 in 2026? Time will tell whether Coetzer or Hodgson lives up to the billing, and ultimately earns the crown as the season’s best signing.