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The Toronto Arrows have confirmed another nine names for their second season of Major League Rugby. Six players return for 2020 with three new additions – Canada flyhalf Will Kelly, former New Zealand u20 halfback Tayler Adams, and former Australia u20 prop Richie Asiata.
Kelly’s arrival was expected. The Brantford Harlequins product began training with the team in the spring but was unable to play due to his existing academy contract with the Dragons of the Guinness Pro 14. He made his test debut as a replacement against Brazil in the Americas Rugby Championship, and the 22-year-old is currently in Canada’s training squad that is preparing for the upcoming World Cup. It won’t be Kelly’s first time in an Arrows shirt – he played for the side in their previous Ontario incarnation before departing for Wales.
The arrival of Adams is noteworthy, as he shares similar attributes with 2019 starter Sam Malcolm. Adams, 25, is comfortable at both halfback positions having played as a scrumhalf in the 2013 Junior World Championship and more recently as a flyhalf for Eastwood in the Shute Shield and Southland in the Mitre 10 Cup. He played two games as a replacement for the Melbourne Rebels during the 2018 Super Rugby season.
Asiata was born in Auckland but grew up in Australia and wore the green and gold at the 2016 Junior World Championship. The 23-year-old loosehead was a standout in the Queensland age grade program and played for Queensland Country in the last three National Rugby Championships. Earlier this year he moved to Christchurch and was included Canterbury’s wider training squad for the Mitre 10 Cup but will now try his hand in the North American competition.
While neither Malcolm or Morgan Mitchell are currently under contract, the Arrows remain hopeful the duo will return at the end of the current Mitre 10 Cup campaign. Both were key players last season. Malcolm is currently playing for Manawatu while Mitchell is once again anchoring the Southland scrum.
Canada tighthead Cole Keith has re-enlisted for another year, as has backup Mike Smith. A trio of second rowers are returning – Canadian international Paul Ciulini and twins Josh and Tom van Horne. Midfielder Spencer Jones is also back. He enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2019 with many considering the 22-year-old unlucky not to be called into the national team for the Pacific Nations Cup.
The Arrows now have 21 players officially confirmed for the upcoming season including four newcomers. South American loose forwards Tomás de la Vega and Manuel Diana were unveiled earlier this month.
