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The shroud of mystery over the San Diego Legion’s roster for the 2019 Major League Rugby season has been lifted. A squad of 33 players is now live on the Legion’s website complete with several new additions.
Arriving from Australia by way of Japan is former Wallabies prop Paddy Ryan. The 30-year-old joins from Sanix Blues in the Top League, who he joined after spending eight seasons with the Waratahs during which time he made more than 100 Super Rugby appearances.
Ryan won three test caps for Australia between 2012 and 2014. He arrives primarily as a tighthead but is equally adept on the loosehead side of the scrum. This raises the unique possibility of going head-to-head with the US Eagles prop of the same name who currently plays for New York.
Another front rower with considerable professional experience is South African hooker Dean Muir. Like Ryan, the 29-year-old comes via Japan where he was contracted by the Kintetsu Liners. He has previously played Currie Cup rugby with Border, the Valke, and Western Province, he won five Super Rugby caps as a replacement with the Stormers earlier this year.
An expected arrival is that of former England u18 hooker Kapeli Pifeleti. Born in Tonga but US-eligible, the 19-year-old was named in the USA Select XV squad for the Americas Pacific Challenge but did not make a match appearance. He joins brother Faka’osi in the Legion front row.
There are two new locks. The first is an entirely new name to American fans in 23-year-old New Zealander Liam Hallam-Eames. Standing 6’7″ (2.00m) he provides much-needed lineout height following the departure of Cam Dolan. Hallam-Eames has been a regular with the Manawatu Turbos in the Mitre 10 Cup for the past three seasons.
A name well-known to Eagles fans is Louis Stanfill. Now 33 years old, the Sacramento native won 56 caps for the USA over a decade, retiring from international rugby following his third World Cup in 2015. Stanfill made one appearance at No8 for the Austin Elite at the end of the 2018 season but should see more time as a lock or loose forward with the Legion.
Emerging from several years in the rugby wilderness is dual international Tai Enosa. A utility back who will primarily cover the halfback positions for the Legion, the 29-year-old won 6 caps for the Eagles and was part of the 2011 World Cup team. He also made 17 appearances on the HSBC Sevens Series, the last coming on the Gold Coast in October 2013.
Belmont Shore No8 Keni Nasoqeqe has been confirmed by the team as has Olympic gold medalist Jasa Veremalua, and they will be joined by a third Fijian. Winger Savenaca Totovosau, 22, joins the team after impressing with Easts Tigers in Brisbane, Australia. At 6’2″ (1.88m) and 215lbs (98kg) he brings both size and speed to the outside backs who have bid adieu to former Eagles star Taku Ngwenya.
The backs division otherwise contains several returning players including five further Eagles in Nate Augspurger, Dylan Audsley, Ryan Matyas, Mike Te’o, and new cap Nick Boyer. South African pair Joe Pietersen and JP du Plessis return, the former set to play flyhalf after featuring as a fullback in the MLR Semi Final against eventual champions Seattle.
A detailed squad list can be seen here.
