MLR Off-Season Update – San Diego Legion

The San Diego Legion have been on an upwards trajectory since their rude introduction to Major League Rugby at the hands of the Seattle scrum. They recovered from that traumatic match to reach the Semi Finals in 2018 and took it a step further in 2019. Given the quality of the signings in the off-season, many are heralding the Legion as early favorites to wrestle the title away from the Seawolves in 2020.

2019 CAMPAIGN

Adding steel to the forwards was the biggest task ahead of 2019 and the Legion filled that with the arrivals of Eagles pair Lou Stanfill and Psalm Wooching. The front row had the biggest boost of all as Dean Muir and the outstanding Paddy Ryan turned the scrum from jalopy to F-150.

More firepower was added down the stretch as two more Eagles – Dino Waldren and Will Holder – joined up followed in short order by former Italy lock Joshua Furno. The team finished first overall in the regular season and came within seconds of glory only to see the Seawolves play spoilers in San Diego.

HOME VENUE

Torero Stadium has been San Diego’s home for professional rugby in each of its two iterations. The 6,000 capacity venue will be upgraded this coming year with an additional 2,000 seats as a new professional soccer team – Loyal SC – joins the Legion as tenants. Fan support grew in 2019 with a full house in the final providing a terrific atmosphere.

COACHING STAFF

There was one significant change in 2019 as former Scotland lock Scott Murray replaced England Sevens international Chris Cracknell as forwards coach. Murray’s knowledge at the set piece proved a decisive component of the team’s success. Continuing as Head Coach in 2020 is Rob Hoadley, the consensus choice as Coach of the Year in MLR, while former USA international Zack Test runs the rule over the backs.

2020 ROSTER

The most significant departure in the off-season was Ryan, the popular Australian heading back to Japan. He wasn’t the only tighthead prop to leave as Waldren packed his bags for New Orleans. Young Eagles hooker Kapeli Pifeleti returned to Saracens academy in England, and No8 Jordan Manihera has decided to pursue a career away from rugby back home in New Zealand.

Nick Boyer saw an opportunity to revitalise his international ambitions in Colorado, with top academy prospect Ryan James following him to the Raptors. Furno played for Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup and is currently a free agent. With Welsh international Dom Day no longer joining the team, could we see a return for the Italian?

The status of a number of others is uncertain. Holder, Pat Blair, and Marcus Tupuola are training with the Eagles Sevens side at Chula Vista. Others like versatile forward Sione Tu’ihalamaka, back rows Chris Turori and Drew Gaffney, and utility back Conor Kearns have yet to be confirmed for 2020.

On the reinforcement front, the capture of All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu is a major talking point. Australian age-grade international Luke Burton looks likely to step into the flyhalf shirt with Joe Pietersen set for a move to his more accustomed fullback spot. Scrumhalf Devereaux Ferris, winger Tira Patterson, and Canadian back Josh Thiel add strength in depth.

Three big-name forwards were announced that will not join the team. Day opted to retire, while flanker Steffon Armitage was cut loose after a criminal conviction in France. Hurricanes prop Chris Eves is another who won’t be joining for reasons unknown.

The good news is that the four forwards signed added so far are all top quality. Eagles trio Peter Malcolm, Paul Mullen, and Tevita Tameilau are joined by former Austin captain Ben Mitchell. The latter is the least decorated but unquestionably among the elite second rows in MLR.

WHAT’S MISSING

Several players are still to be confirmed by the club with only 26 named thus far. Former Austin flanker Dom Bailey was visible in preseason training pictures taken before Christmas, while top Canadian prospect Quinn Ngawati is reportedly getting a look from the coaching staff. Front rower Codi Jones had joined the team from the Houston SaberCats but now looks to have taken up a new job in San Francisco.

Three front rowers are still needed, and another lock and/or loose forward would be welcome. The team currently has two dedicated scrumhalves in Ferris and Nate Augspurger. A young collegiate prospect would be a good addition as a third. If Ngawati is signed the midfield will be in good shape though there is room for another outside back.

RE-SIGNED (17):

Faka’osi Pifeleti, LH
Nathan Sylvia, LH
Dean Muir, HO
Aaron Mitchell, TH
Siaosi Mahoni, LO
Lou Stanfill, LO
Devin Short, FL
Jasa Veremalua, FL
Psalm Wooching, FL
Keni Nasoqeqe, N8
Nate Augspurger, SH
Joe Pietersen, FH/FB
JP du Plessis, CE
Dylan Audsley, CE/FB
Ryan Matyas, CE/WI
Save Totovosau, WI
Mike Te’o, WI/FB

IN (9):

Peter Malcolm, HO, Austin Herd
Paul Mullen, TH, Houston SaberCats
Ben Mitchell, LO, Austin Herd
Tevita Tameilau, N8, Glasgow Warriors (UK)
Devereaux Ferris, SH, Life West Gladiators
Luke Burton, FH, Biarritz (FR)
Josh Thiel, FH/FB, Pacific Pride (CA)
Ma’a Nonu, CE, Blues (NZ)
Tira Patterson, WI, Fiji Warriors (FI)

OUT (7):

Kapeli Pifeleti, HO, Saracens (UK)
Paddy Ryan, TH, Sanix Blues (JP)
Dino Waldren, TH, NOLA Gold
Joshua Furno, LO, Wellington (NZ)
Jordan Manihera, N8, retired
Nick Boyer, SH, Colorado Raptors
Ryan James, WI/FB, Colorado Raptors