MLR Off-Season Update – November 1, 2018

The Rugby Weekend in Chicago will not just be an international spectacle. It is also an important one for Major League Rugby. The league owners will meet on Thursday in the Windy City to ratify the 2019 schedule. A final draft has already been circulated and barring any unforeseen circumstances the public reveal is planned for Monday.

Also to be confirmed at last is the admission of the Ontario Arrows as the 9th team for the 2019 season. This has been a poorly kept secret – they were welcomed by the MLR commissioners more than a month ago. Evidently the delay has been the arduous task of translating MLR’s lengthy legal document from US to Canadian law. A formal announcement from the league should come on Friday afternoon.

This past weekend we saw the completion of the Rugby Americas combine and a Select side winning big over the Glendale Raptors. A number of South American players showed their class and are expected to be signed to contracts in the coming weeks. Two Brazilians have reportedly already put pen to paper though their identities – and the clubs they have signed for – are still to be unveiled.

Elsewhere the signing race is heating up with New Orleans determined to make the biggest splash. Thus far they are runaway winners off the off-season, and it will be interesting to see who can keep the pace. Below is a team-by-team (minus Ontario) summary of all signings, re-signings, and departures to date.

 

Austin’s communications department has been sluggish but thankfully independent sources have filled some gaps. Only French prop Simon Courcoul and Uruguayan midfielder Andrés Vilaseca have been publicly acknowledged by the club. Teros tighthead Juan Echeverría will bolster the front row while the Larsen brothers from Canada are headed south to share the field together for the first time. Racing 92 midfielder Simon Bienvenu is also believed to be on the way but has yet to be confirmed.

Mike Brown, Ross Deacon, and Marcus Walsh have returned to New York and Pedrie Wannenburg has hung up the boots. Victor Comptat is back in France, playing for Bédarrides in Fédérale 1, his second row spot being filled by Josh Larsen. Hanco Germishuys has also left but has yet to sign. A proposed move to Glendale appears to be on hold for now with overseas offers said to be on the table.

Roland Suniula has been suiting up for the Seattle Saracens in the CDI Premier League with speculation that he could join brother Shalom at the Seawolves. Andrew has been playing at the Chicago Griffins along with Sione Fangaiuiha. Whether they will be back is yet to be seen.

One who is definitely returning is prop Mason Pedersen, who spent the off-season plying his trade in the CDI with Vancouver Rowing Club. With significant upheaval expected in Austin, Pedersen could be one of a rare breed for the Elite.

In: Simon Courcoul (PR, Grasse), Juan Echeverría (PR, Uruguay), Josh Larsen (LO, Otago), Travis Larsen (FL, James Bay), Andrés Vilaseca (CE, Uruguay)

Out: Mike Brown (HO, Rugby United New York), Victor Comptat (LO, Bédarrides), Ross Deacon (FL, Rugby United New York), Hanco Germishuys (FL), Pedrie Wannenburg (N8, retired), Marcus Walsh (SH, Rugby United New York)

 

Glendale have been hit hard by departures with star names Ben Landry, Sam Figg, and Bryce Campbell all heading overseas. Dylan Fawsitt and Jake Christmann will play for other MLR sides while Seth Halliman is also heading to pastures new.

Filling those holes will not be easy with only one player secured so far in former Utes hooker Chad Gough. Other likely arrivals look to be Wheeling Jesuit prop Max Lum and Clemson’s Colin Gregory, a flyhalf or fullback who has shown well in recent exhibition matches.

Several others have been getting a look in recent weeks including collegiate forwards Jonny Layne, Jason Damm, Tom Kacor, and South African flanker Dwayne Pienaar. More established names are said to have been recruited but as with elsewhere, the grapevine has been quiet.

In: Chad Gough (HO)

Out: Dylan Fawsitt (HO, Rugby United New York), Ben Landry (LO, Ealing Trailfinders), Sam Figg (N8, NSW Country Eagles), Grigor Kerdikoshvili (N8, Lelo Saracens), Jake Christmann (SH, Utah Warriors), Bryce Campbell (CE, London Irish), Seth Halliman (FB)

 

The SaberCats have been steady in their press reveals. Five re-signings have been announced with Gabe Romero soon to be confirmed, the Lindenwood hooker joining the team at the tail end of last season. Another hooker, Pat O’Toole, has joined from the San Diego Legion and the latest signing is former Cal Poly center Max Tacket, currently turning out for Burnaby Lake in the CDI Premier League.

Mathew Faoagali has arrived in Texas and is playing for the West Houston Lions along with number of SaberCats including Romero. In an interesting twist Alex Elkins may not be joining Austin after all, with the powerhouse winger currently getting a run as a loose forward with West Houston.

Uruguay’s Santiago Arata is set to challenge incumbent Conor Murphy for the starting scrumhalf role. Among other returning players are second row Charlie Hewitt, flyhalf Sam Windsor, winger Josua Vici, and fullback Zach Pangelinan.

Re-signed: Gabe Romero (HO), Chris Coyle (FL), Cecil Garber (FL), Kieran Farmer (FH), Conor Mills (CE), Malacchi Esdale (WI)

In: Pat O’Toole (HO, San Diego Legion), Mathew Faoagali (BR, Penrith Emus), Ayron Schramm (N8, Heidelberger RK), Santiago Arata (SH, Uruguay), Max Tacket (CE, Burnaby Lake)

Out: Petey Hepburn (PR, retired), Paul Mullen (PR, Newcastle Falcons), Diego Maquieira (HO, New England Free Jacks), Lindsey Stevens (HO, Eastern Suburbs), Justin Allen (LO, Rotherham Titans), Kyle Sumsion (BR, West Point – Coach)

 

What a dizzying few weeks it’s been for New Orleans fans. The Gold have plundered far and wide with 11 new players already confirmed for next season, and all are significant. The latest to join the party is Eagles starter Cam Dolan, a surprise addition having opted against staying on with Nottingham.

Of course new arrivals means some players have moved on. Most notably starting flanker Matt Hughston has signed for New York, where he is set to be joined by prop Anthony Parry. Both suited up for the New England Free Jacks in the match against the Arrows.

Matt Wirken has been playing for NYAC, Alec Janotka for Chicago Lions, and Fijian pair Peceli Rinakama and Joeli Tikoisuva with Metropolis. It’s possible some could be returning but it seems unlikely that Chilean star Sebastián Kalm will be back for the Gold.

EDIT: It has now been confirmed that Derrek van Klein and Nikola Bursic have re-signed with the club.

Re-signed: Eric Howard (HO), Derrek van Klein (PR), Nikola Bursic (LO), JP Eloff (FH), Tim Maupin (WI), Michael Baska (FB)

In: Matt Harmon (PR, Life), Kevin Sullivan (PR, Cal Golden Bears), Kane Thompson (LO, Taranaki), Ignacio Dotti (LO, Uruguay), Kyle Baillie (FL, London Scottish), Malcolm May (FL, Penn State), Cam Dolan (N8, San Diego Legion), Scott Gale (SH, Brisbane City), Nick Feakes (FH, Lindenwood), Tristan Blewett (CE, Southern Kings), Con Foley (CE, Brisbane City)

Out: Anthony Parry (PR, Rugby United New York), Myles McQuone (LO, New England FreeJacks), Matt Hughston (FL, Rugby United New York)

 

While technically speaking every player is a new signing for New York, all but three played for the team during their exhibition spring campaign. Matt Hughston was confirmed this past week while European additions Cathal Marsh and Ben Foden have previously been confirmed.

A number of interesting names have been playing in New York recently, among them newly-recalled Eagles prop Tony Purpura. Expect him to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Eagles long-list select Peni Tagive and former Oklahoma speedster Najee Bissoon have also been running out with Old Blue.

Re-signed: Dylan Fawsitt (HO), Nate Brakeley (LO), Ross Deacon (FL), Mike Petri (SH), Marcus Walsh (SH), Seamus Kelly (CE), Michael St. Claire (WI), Luke Hume (WI), Connor Wallace-Sims (FB)

In: Matt Hughston (FL, New Orleans Gold), Cathal Marsh (FH, Leinster), Ben Foden (FB, Northampton Saints)

 

What’s happening San Diego. That’s what the Legionnaires would love to know. Aside from a new General Manager and Forwards Coach, there hasn’t been much to talk about beyond some departures. Whether Taku Ngwenya is one of them we don’t know. He’s been spotted wearing a Chicago Griffins jersey this fall.

Confirmed leavers now include front rowers Tony Purpura and Pat O’Toole, No8 Cam Dolan, and flyhalf duo Ben Cima and Tadhg Leader. All are significant, and all will need to be replaced on top of the weak spots that already needed reinforcing.

The only addition we know about is sevens star Jasa Veremalua, thanks largely to the Fijian press. He’s an impressive figure and looks most likely to feature on the wing. It’s the forwards that San Diego need some help with and while Veremalua is certainly tall enough, some players with recent experience in the XV-a-side game might be more appropriate up front.

In: Jasa Veremalua (WI, Fiji Sevens)

Out: Tony Purpura (PR), Pat O’Toole (HO, Houston SaberCats), Cam Dolan (N8, New Orleans Gold), Ben Cima (FH, New England Free Jacks), Tadhg Leader (FH/CE, New England Free Jacks)

 

Unsurprisingly Seattle look to be the team with the largest contingent of returning players. Winning a title affords a certain level of consistency. All of their announcements, bar new coach Anton Moolman, have been re-signings only six players as of now known to have shipped off.

Ray Barkwill and Mozac Samson have returned to Canada. LaRome White was spotted at the Austin Elite combine and Mike Garrity is looking to earn a spot with Glendale. A handful players are said to be on the way from the south and with the NRC and Mitre 10 Cup now over they may soon be revealed.

Re-signed: Tim Metcher (PR), Mike Shepherd (HO), Cam Polson (LO), Eric Duechle (FL), Riekert Hattingh (N8), Aladdin Schirmer (N8), Phil Mack (SH), Shalom Suniula (CE), William Rasileka (CE), Sequoyah Burke-Combs (WI), Brock Staller (WI), Peter Tiberio (WI), Mat Turner (FB)

Out: LaRome White (PR), Louie Henson (PR), Ray Barkwill (HO), Mike Garrity (CE), Mozac Samson (CE), Jeremy Misailegalu (WI)

 

Utah are battling San Diego for the title of quietest team in the off-season thus far. Aside from some combine footage from early October there hasn’t been a peep from the Warriors on the personnel front. Independent sources have confirmed that Alex Tucci has re-upped and Jake Christmann is on the way, but otherwise it’s just loud static.

Angus MacLellan has been turning out for the Chicago Lions and was last weekend joined by a fellow USA front rower – James Hilterbrand. Given that hooker is a position where the Warriors could use a fresh body or two, Utah fans should be hoping that Angus had a quiet word or two with the Australian Eagle.

Re-signed: Alex Tucci (PR)

In: Jake Christmann (SH, Glendale Raptors)

Out: David Tameilau (N8, Glasgow Warriors), Kurt Morath (FH, Doncaster Knights), Jonny Linehan (FH, retired), Paul Lasike (CE, Harlequins)