PRO Rugby: Rosters Taking Shape

Yesterday marked the start of training camp for the five PRO Rugby franchises. While the league has yet to announce the full rosters for each team, multiple names are surfacing daily along with the teams in which they have been assigned. Full rosters are expected by the end of the week, but here’s a look at recent player movement along with the names attached to each club thus far.

San Diego got seasoned Canadian International Phil Mackenzie and he’s going to be joined by USA 7s & XVs players Tim Stanfill, Ryan Matyas and Mike Te’o as well as Kalei Konrad an up and coming flyhalf from San Diego State. Konrad also spent time at the Auckland (NZ) Academy. The San Diego roster is shaping up to be one of the best in the competition.

The Denver franchise is seeing a lot of movement and not surprisingly, many of the players are coming out of the Glendale Raptors system. Luke White, Niku Kruger, Chad London, and Armandt Peens are all from the Raptors. Last week’s announcement that former Springbok Pedrie Wannenburg was going to Denver gives the side a decidedly South African look with Kruger, London, and Peens all South African born and raised. Also joining Denver is Ben Landry and Mike Garrity from the Seattle Saracens. An early look at the Denver roster shows what should be a very competitive side.

In Ohio, Matt Hughston, Aaron ‘Spike’ Davis, and Chris Saint have all turned up in camp. Hughston has been a standout for the Charlotte RFC, South Panthers and on the fringe of the USA 7s squad for years. Davis is a convert from football who was brought through the Tiger Rugby system. Saint is a three time US Collegiate All American. While some of the other PRO sides have landed some big names, Ohio has yet to get a big announcement type player. Which could lead to the team becoming a fan favorite underdog as they are the only side east of the Mississippi.

Americas Rugby News is working to get all of the updates roster additions as they hit the news wire.

PRO Rugby North America Tentative Roster List (with positions)

DENVER
Luke White (PR), Ben Landry (LO), Hanco Germishuys (BR), Pedrie Wannenburg (BR), Niku Kruger (SH), Chad London (CE), Armandt Peens (CE), Mike Garrity (CE)

OHIO
Aaron Davis (BR), Sebastian Kalm (BR), Chris Saint (SH), Matt Hughston (CE), Zac Mizell (OB)

SACRAMENTO
Josh Inong (HO), Ray Barkwill (HO), Olive Kilifi (PR), Sione Sina (LO), Robert Meeson (BR), Mirco Bergamasco (CE), Ryan Thompson (WI), Rashad Harbor (WI)

SAN DIEGO
Tom Bliss (SH), Charlie Purdon (SH), Kalei Konrad (FH), Phil Mackenzie (CE), Tim Stanfill (WI), Ryan Matyas (WI), Mike Te’o (FB)

SAN FRANCISCO
Jacob Finau (HO), Orene Ai’i (FH), Colin Hawley (WI)

UNKNOWN
Joseph Taufete’e (HO), Valdemar Lee-Lo (PR), Justin Allen (LO), Filippo Ferrarini (BR), David Tameilau (BR), Michael Reid (SH), Jojo Tikoisiva (FB)