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The glamour boys of Major League Rugby. If this was a sevens tournament you could hand the title to the San Diego Legion right now. Unfortunately, as they found out last season, rugby is more than just a track meet and you need heavy lifters up front to hold on to the ball. The good news is they look to have acquired exactly that in the months since Seattle sent them packing in the Semi Final.
It might be harsh to call them underachievers last season given they had a winning record, finished third in the league, and were the only side to beat Glendale in the regular season. That said expectations were very high with the amount of star power on the team, especially in the backline. A number of factors – injuries, international call-ups, and visa problems – took them out of title contention.
OFF-SEASON MOVES
Losing Cam Dolan to New Orleans certainly hurts, as does the departure of flyhalf pair Tadhg Leader and Ben Cima. Eagles flanker Tony Lamborn arrived at the end of last season but a serious ankle injury suffered on Eagles duty in November likely means he won’t be showing up at all this year. Anthony Salaber has opted to focus on his law degree and will instead be turning out for Divison 2 club side Vacaville, while Taku Ngwenya has moved to Dallas.
By far the most important acquisitions for the Legion are in the tight five. Former Waratahs pair Matt Sandell and Paddy Ryan shoot will help at prop while two quality hookers have come in – Kapeli Pifeleti from Saracens and Stormers squad member Dean Muir. Adding horsepower to the engine room is former Eagles stalwart Lou Stanfill while Liam Hallam-Eames brings lineout height from New Zealand.
As if they needed any more x-factor, three Fijians have arrived to cause trouble. Keni Nasoqeqe is a specimen who can play lock but is most dangerous as a ball-carrying No8. On the wing there are now twin towers in Olympic star Jasa Veremalua and relative unknown Save Totovosau, the latter turning heads in the preseason. Psalm Wooching will start the season on the disabled list but is sure to make an impact on the flank when fit, and the return of the mercurial Tai Enosa to top flight rugby should not be overlooked.
HOME FIELD
San Diego rugby fans will turn up a Torero Stadium for a third season, the first coming during the infamous PRO season in 2016. With a capacity of 6,000 it’s a good size but could use some filling. For an older venue it has served the team well thus far and the passionate Legionnaires are some of the most entertaining spectators in MLR.
HEAD COACH
Returning for a second year is Rob Hoadley. Despite his young age he boasts considerable professional experience both as a player and coach. Hoadley is a cerebral and modern leader who demands accuracy. Can he inspire his troops to greater things in 2019? Zack Test continues as a backs assistant but there is a change in the forwards role with former Scotland lock Scott Murray taking over from Chris Cracknell.
CAPTAIN
While Nate Augspurger began last season with the armband, it was Tadhg Leader who took over in the second half and led the team in the Semi Final. This year it’s the vastly experienced Joe Pietersen who will act as on-field general. The long-time Stormers starter is now in the twilight of his career but remains in top physical condition. After starting the Semi Final at fullback, he will step up to the flyhalf position this season and serve as primary goal kicker.
KEY PLAYERS
The San Diego scrum desperately needed help in the off-season and incoming tighthead prop Paddy Ryan will be a major factor in keeping it rooted in place this season. After struggling at the set piece early in his career, Ryan has now packed down in more than a hundred Super Rugby games and should be more than capable of handling the best that MLR has to offer. His experience comes much needed to cover the loss of last year’s pack leader Cam Dolan.
Usurping Augpurger as the preferred scrumhalf for San Diego last season was Nick Boyer. With the size of a loose forward he is a unique talent whose fundamentals are improving with every game now that he has shifted his focus from 7s to XVs. After making his test debut in November he could force his way into the World Cup squad if he lives up to his potential.
There is talent to burn with the likes of Dylan Audsley and Mike Te’o on the books, but it’s Ryan Matyas who really makes the backline tick. His speed and running lines make him a dangerous attacker but he is also an effective defender. With Salaber gone the starting outside center role will go to Matyas where his line-breaking ability is amplified.
ONE TO WATCH
The 19-year-old Pifeleti has already been called into the Eagles side and could be a breakthrough star at hooker. A sophomore flanker who could be the next on Gary Gold’s hit list. Devin Short probably played a lot more than expected last season and he turned heads with his athleticism and physicality. At just 20 years old he has all the tools to become an Eagles regular and just needs is a little more seasoning, but he has already shown maturity beyond his years.
STRENGTHS
Firepower. This team is built to blow the doors off opponent who gives them space to run. With the amount of x-factor the Legion can score from anywhere and a double-digit lead can disappear in the blink of an eye. No lead is safe when you’re playing San Diego.
QUESTIONS
The scrum has looked much improved in the preseason but this weekend it’s the real deal. Achieving parity at the set piece will go a long way to driving this team from pretenders to contenders. It looks like they have the bodies to do that this season. Time will tell.
Depth in the forwards was a major problem last season that looks to have been mostly solved. It’s the halfbacks that are a worry this time. With Boyer called up to the Eagles and Augspurger injured, there is no specialist scrumhalf in the squad and Enosa seemingly the primary cover at both 9 and 10. A new recruit here might be advised.
OUTLOOK
It’s hard to predict where this team will end up. On paper their backs are as good as any and while the forwards are undoubtedly in a better place, they’re still not quite as intimidating as others. Many of the new faces are projected to be first choice players so it may take some time for this team to really get going. Given the continued strength of last year’s finalists and the competitive look of the expansion sides, San Diego look likely to be in the mid-table mix gunning for the fourth playoff spot.
TRANSFERS
IN: Paddy Ryan (PR, Sanix Blues, JP), Matt Sandell (PR, Waratahs, AU), Dean Muir (HO, Kintetsu Liners, JP), Kapeli Pifeleti (HO, Saracens, UK), Liam Hallam-Eames (LO, Manawatu Turbos, NZ), Louis Stanfill (LO, Austin Elite), Psalm Wooching (FL, Seattle Saracens), Keni Nasoqeqe (N8, Belmont Shore), Taivalu Enosa (SH/FH, SFGG), Savenaca Totovosau (WI), Jasa Veremalua (WI, Fiji Sevens, FI)
OUT: Dolph Botha (PR), Tony Purpura (PR, New England Free Jacks), Pat O’Toole (HO, Houston SaberCats), Lance Lamprecht (LO), Tony Lamborn (FL, Southland Stags, NZ), Cam Dolan (N8, New Orleans Gold), Malon Al-Jiboori (N8, Glendale Raptors), Ben Cima (FH, Seattle Seawolves), Tadhg Leader (FH, New England Free Jacks), Anthony Salaber (CE, Vacaville), Takudzwa Ngwenya (WI, Dallas Reds)
