Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The new owners of the Austin Gilgronis are looking south for reinforcements for their new franchise. First reported by Georgina Robinson for the Sydney Morning Herald, Americas Rugby News can now confirm that Wallabies centurion Adam Ashley-Cooper has signed on until the end of the 2020 Major League Rugby season. He will join new Australian coach Mick Byrne at the club.
Ashley-Cooper, 35, recently appeared in his 4th World Cup bringing his career total to 121 test caps. The versatile back is set to play in a midfield role for the club upon arrival. When that is, however, is yet to be seen with visa delays hampering several overseas signings across the league.
Among those currently in the queue are previous signings Dan Faleafa, a lock or loose forward, and giant winger Frank Halai. Faleafa will not be the only Tongan international in Texas. In need of a goal-kicking flyhalf, the team has recruited Kurt Morath, formerly of the Utah Warriors. An international scrumhalf has also been signed, his identity yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile two players will no longer be playing for the team this season. Fijian utility back Enele Malele‘s place looks to have gone to Morath while South African No8 Wesley White has departed for personal reasons. Fellow Lindenwood back row Michael de Waal is staying but injury will keep him on the sidelines until at least late February.
With Faleafa still to arrive, White departed, and de Waal injured, the team is now in search of help in the back row. American Football convert Dominic Akina has been training as a flanker with regular hooker Tiaan Erasmus supplying loose forward cover in the preseason game against Colorado this past weekend.
