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Following on 12 re-signings announced in November and two new additions, the Glendale Raptors have confirmed a further 11 new additions and seven returnees for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. Among the new additions are Cheetahs flyhalf Robbie Petzer, SFGG lock Brendan Daly, and former Viadana fullback Dylan Taikato-Simpson.
Petzer, 22, arrives having played in both the Currie Cup and Guinness Pro 14 for South Africa’s Free State franchise last season. He also turned out on loan for the SWD Eagles in the SuperSport Challenge. In South African tradition he has a large frame for a flyhalf and is an accomplished goal kicker.
The addition of Daly, 28, is a boost to the forward pack following the departure of Ben Landry to England. Daly is a long-time captain of SFGG and won two caps for the Eagles in the 2018 Americas Rugby Championship. He then showed well as a No8 in the Americas Pacific Challenge, though it’s lock where he is most likely to fit in for Glendale.
With both Seth Halliman and Max de Achaval no longer in the side New Zealand-born Dylan Taikato-Simpson has been recruited to play fullback. A quick stepper who trained with the Australia u20 and Sevens sides in 2010, he was a regular with West Harbour in the Shute Shield before playing professionally in Romania, Scotland, and Italy.
Eight others have been contracted after trialing with the club during the fall exhibition series. Max Lum returns from New Zealand to add depth at loosehead prop while highly-rated Collegiate All-American hooker Chad Gough will contend with Zach Fenoglio for the starting role. Casey Rock is another who will return in the second row with BYU standout Jonny Layne an option at lock or on the blindside flank.
A pair of Clemson alumni join up in loose forward Jason Damm and flyhalf or fullback Colin Gregory. Junior All-American Campbell Johnstone and Celester Asuega can cover center or wing, with the latter recently spending time in the Canterbury Sevens program. High School All-American Mateo Gadsden the youngest recruit at only 18 years old but at 6’4″ (1.93m) already has the size to compete at senior level.
Along with Fenoglio and Rock there are five others who will play for a second season. James Del Bozque fills the third-string hooker role with Devin Vaughter also back having played across the second and back rows in 2018. Siale Maka will be considered primarily a center after also trialing as a flanker in the preseason, and wingers Nick Johnson and John Ryberg provide experience and power out wide.
At least three additions are expected to be made official later in the month. South African flanker Dwayne Pienaar will be one with two props likely on the way.
