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The signing spree continues this week for the Utah Warriors. Nine returnees for the 2020 Major League Rugby season were confirmed by the club along with four arrivals – NOLA Gold scrumhalf Michael Baska, Germany flyhalf Hagen Schulte, and midfield pair Tyler Fisher and Blake Hohaia.
Baska, 25, joins the Warriors after two seasons with the Gold. Also a capable fullback, he appeared in 13 matches as backup to Holden Yungert in 2019. The Collegiate All-American Sevens select follows flanker Caleb Meyer in making the move from New Orleans to Salt Lake City.
New Zealand-born but representing Germany, Schulte arrives from Romania where he was under contract with CSM Bucuresti. Injuries and international duty limited him to just two games for the club and he will be hoping for better fortunes in Utah. He replaces Brazil starter Josh Reeves on the roster.
Fisher represented South Africa at u20 level against Argentina in 2013. His senior provincial career started with the Sharks before Currie Cup gigs with the Leopards, Pumas, and SWD Eagles. Most recently he has been with West Harbour in Australia’s Shute Shield competition. At 6’3″ (1.90m) and 240lbs (110kg) the 26-year-old is a powerful ball carrier who prefers outside center.
Set to start at inside center is Hohaia, a 24-year-old from New Zealand who has been the starting No12 for Northland in the past two Mitre 10 Cup campaigns. He takes the place of former captain Tim O’Malley. Hohaia is a more traditional attacking center as opposed to O’Malley’s secondary distributor style.
Of the nine returning players, two are listed as halfbacks. Joseph Nicholls continues in his third campaign with the club and provides extra cover at scrumhalf. Jared Whippy missed 2019 entirely with injury but is fit to resume in 2020. More often seen at center, he will provide backup for Schulte at No10.
US Eagles caps Gannon Moore and Josh Whippy return. Moore was first choice at outside center in 2019 but can also play on the wing. Whippy made his comeback from a serious leg break and looked sharp but was largely used as a utility bench option rather than a starter. He covers across the backline and is a potential starter at fullback.
The other five are outside backs. Tongan international Fetu’u Vainikolo joins Tonata Lauti and Nolan Tuamoheloa as wing specialists. Kansas City Blues product Kenny Scott is named as a winger despite playing as a loose forward for the past two seasons.
Fiji Sevens star Vatemo Ravouvou is also among the confirmed list. He played one game at the end of last season and can play wing, fullback, while also a third option at flyhalf. Former All Blacks flanker was a celebrated signing alongside Ravouvou in the spring but it appears will no longer be joining the team.
