MLR Off-Season Update – Austin Herd

It’s been an off-season of change for Austin, with their brand and logo both getting a facelift. The Elite are no more and the Herd will take the field in 2020, in a new (old) home and under a new Head Coach. That announcement is still to come from the embattled franchise but there has been some movement on the player personnel front. Below we take a look at where things stand as of today.

2019 CAMPAIGN

This past season tested the patience of the Austin faithful, to put it lightly. Zero wins from 16 games and only five bonus points along the way can only be described as a terrible return. Off-field problems included injuries, visa delays, and a general feeling of disconnect with the local rugby community.

First choice hooker Peter Malcolm missed half the season and Chilean back row Sebastián Kalm was lost entirely after failing to convince medical assessors that his neck injury sustained during the 2018 campaign was fully healed. Tighthead prop Mason Pedersen, scrumhalf Mickaël Romera, and winger Peni Tagive also missed significant portions of the season.

Late visa clearances for Canadian international Doug Fraser and French import Simon Bienvenu forced Team Manager Andrew Suniula to lace up the boots for eight games. Meanwhile loosehead prop Simon Courcoul and flyhalf Timothée Guillimin left the team in March to join the New England Free Jacks.

Thierry Daupin stepped down from his role as General Manager before the season was over and Todd Clever was appointed Director of Rugby. The long-time Eagles flanker took control of the team for their final match of the season with coach Alain Hyardet shown the door.

HOME VENUE

While the move to Dell Diamond was certainly ambitious and applauded by the players, it was quickly evident that the location was inappropriate given Austin’s condition. A league-worst attendance left the 11,000+ capacity stadium virtually empty with the only sign of life a one-off match at San Antonio’s Toyota Field against New York.

Rumors of a permanent move to San Antonio, among other places, were quelled with the confirmation that the team would instead return to Round Rock Multipurpose Complex for the 2020 season (with one match at Toyota Field). It may be seen as a step back for some, but looks a prudent move with the desire to build a sustainable match day experience a high priority for the team.

COACHING STAFF

Clever is the new top man and has been overseeing recent combines and player recruitment. Some of his recruits seem to have been under the impression that he would, in fact, be doubling up as Head Coach this season but there is reportedly an experienced candidate yet to be revealed.

In the meantime two assistants have been hired. Suniula will put down the clipboard and pick up a whistle, while Tane Jericevich arrives from the Austin Blacks. The latter is a former Scotland u19 flyhalf who played professionally with Benevento, Piacenza, and Brescia in Italy and Spanish club UE Santboiana.

2020 ROSTER

One-time All Blacks cap Frank Halai is the biggest name unveiled to date. A big body at 6’5″ (1.95m) who can shift, he was a standout on the World Sevens circuit before switching his focus to XVs. He spent the past four years split between Wasps in the English Premiership and Pau in the French Top 14.

There is more Pacific influence on the way in Tongan lock or blindside flanker Dan Faleafa, bruising Samoan No8 Potu Leavasa, and Fijian flyhalf or fullback Enele Malele. The latter recently lined up for his country against the Barbarians and could well be the most influential of the bunch.

Roland Suniula has returned from Seattle to join his older brother Andrew at Austin. The former Eagles midfielder brings toughness and versatility with the ability to cover both No12 and No13 and also flyhalf in an emergency. He played a key role with the Seawolves in their title defense this past season.

Two All-American loose forwards come in direct from Lindenwood. Michael de Waal and Wesley White are both South African but will soon be eligible for the USA on residency. The newest signing is former AIC prop Skyler Adams, who has been playing for Marist Albion and New Brighton in New Zealand while training with the Crusaders academy.

Half of last year’s roster will not be back. Among those joining Pedersen and Tagive in returning are hooker Tiaan Erasmus, openside flanker Moe Abdelmonem, and three-quarter Sione Fangaiuiha. Bienvenu has been playing in Hong Kong during the off-season but is expected to return in January.

WHAT’S MISSING

Confirmation of the new coach must be a priority but there are other key losses that need to be addressed. Team captain Ben Mitchell was a towering presence and his second row partnership with Josh Larsen a rare point of strength for the team. Both are now gone as is utility forward Kyle Breytenbach.

Aside from second row, the priority must be the halfbacks. Marcelo Torrealba has returned to Chile and it’s unclear if Romera will be back, while Uruguay fullback Rodrigo Silva was a makeshift flyhalf last season. A traditional No10 with a strong kicking game should be at the top of the shopping list.

IN (8):

Skyler Adams, LH, New Brighton (NZ)
Dan Faleafa, LO/FL, Coventry (UK)
Michael de Waal, FL, Lindenwood
Potu Leavasa, N8, Warringah (AU)
Wesley White, N8, Lindenwood
Enele Malele, FH/FB, Fijian Drua (FI)
Roland Suniula, CE, Seattle Seawolves
Frank Halai, WI, Pau (FR)

OUT (15):

Simon Courcoul, LH, New England Free Jacks
Sunao Takizawa, LH, Manawatu (NZ)
Peter Malcolm, HO, San Diego Legion
Josh Larsen, LO, New England Free Jacks
Ronan McCusker, LO, New England Free Jacks (return from loan)
Ben Mitchell, LO, San Diego Legion
Dylan Pieterse, LO, Leopards (SA)
Kyle Breytenbach, FL, Houston SaberCats
Travis Larsen, FL/N8, Old Glory DC
Marcelo Torrealba, SH, Old Boys (CL)
Timothée Guillimin, FH, New England Free Jacks
JP Aguirre, CE, Rugby United New York
Andrew Suniula, CE, retired (coaching staff)
Aidan McMullan, WI, Concordia Stingers
Soheyl Jaoudat, FB, CS Beaune (FR)