Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The 2020 Major League Rugby season came to an abrupt end last week after just five rounds. Its cancellation meant that several players who were awaiting visa clearance made no appearances at all. Others were yet to return from preseason injuries. Below we identify a team full of players signed up for the 2020 campaign who did not end up taking the field for one reason or another.
1 – Chris Eves (San Diego Legion) The former Hurricanes prop signed for the Legion in August as a replacement for the departing Paddy Ryan. Eves would never see the field for San Diego, however, instead taking up a Super Rugby contract with the Sunwolves. With that team now effectively dissolved, the 32-year-old could look at MLR in 2021.
2 – Cullen Collopy (NOLA Gold) Seeking to add depth in the front row the Gold recruited the newly-minted Super Rugby cap from the Sharks in November. He was frustratingly stuck in the visa quagmire, prompting NOLA to bring in former SaberCats regular Lindsey Stevens to fill the gap.
3 – Wilton Rebolo (Austin Gilgronis) A force of nature at hooker or tighthead prop, the Brazilian arrived in Texas in January and actually played every game during the preseason before injury struck. He would not recover in time to take part in the truncated regular season.
4 – Dominic Day (San Diego Legion) The second big overseas announcement for the Legion was the former Wales international, who signed on in July from Premiership champions Saracens. Four months later the move was off, the 34-year-old opting to retire to focus on business interests. Joshua Furno returned to San Diego instead.
5 – Dan Faleafa (Austin Gilgronis) Before the ‘Gilgronis’ came into existence and even before the World Cup, the Tonga veteran was destined for Austin. The visa process delayed his arrival but then it would not come at all, Faleafa instead signing on as a medical joker with French Pro D2 side Rouen. Ironically their season would be suspended as well before he could play for the club.
6 – Adam Thomson (Utah Warriors) The addition of a 2011 World Cup winning All Black along with Olympic champion Vatemo Ravouvou was big news in April. Ravouvou would play one game at the end of 2019 but Thomson never arrived. He turned out for Otago in the Mitre 10 Cup and was then snapped up on a Super Rugby deal with the Chiefs.
7 – Steffon Armitage (San Diego Legion) Another high profile signing who did not eventuate in San Diego. Armitage was unveiled in July but a criminal conviction in France put paid to the former England flanker’s American adventure. He subsequently signed on with Biarritz in the Pro D2.
8 – Juan Manuel Leguizamón (Seattle Seawolves) It’s hard to believe but even the world class Argentine loose forward couldn’t clear the visa hurdle. Announced after appearing in his fourth World Cup, Leguizamón sat in limbo as the Seawolves brought in Eagles veteran Andrew Durutalo.
9 – Jason Higgins (Rugby United New York) The Roosters were hit hard by visa problems with forwards Cormac Daly, Evan Mintern, and Kara Pryor also stuck waiting for approval. Higgins was meant to challenge returnees Marcus Walsh and Mike Petri for the starting role but the All-Ireland League winner with Cork Constitution never got an opportunity.
10 – Peter Nelson (Seattle Seawolves) Canada’s starting flyhalf at Rugby World Cup 2019 was only recently signed by the Seawolves. In fact he hadn’t even been formally announced by the team yet and it’s anyone’s guess if he will stick with the side for the 2021 season. Nelson had been playing AIL Division 2B rugby with Dungannon.
11 – Tristan Blewett (NOLA Gold) One of the league’s best from 2019 had signed a long-term deal with the Gold but decided suddenly just ahead of the preseason to step away from professional rugby to concentrate on his university studies. NOLA retain his MLR rights should he make another about-face and opt to return.
12 – Roland Suniula (Austin Gilgronis) The USA international returned to Austin after spending the 2019 season with the champion Seawolves. Instead of taking up a spot in the midfield, however, the 33-year-old was confined to a sideline support role due to injury. Gabe Farley arrived from Australia and impressed in Suniula’s stead.
13 – Adam Ashley-Cooper (Austin Gilgronis) Rumors quickly began circulating that the Wallabies centurion was on his way shortly after Austin’s re-branding. Sources confirmed to ARN that the deal was done, but the all-important visa stamp never arrived leaving Ashley-Cooper and flanker Maclean Jones out in the cold.
14 – Digby Ioane (Colorado Raptors) Another Australian international was bound for Colorado, alas the visa curse took hold and we never got to see Rene Ranger and Ioane in the same lineup. The Raptors survived, having a surplus of backfielders already in place like John Ryberg and rising star Mika Kruse.
15 – Harry Davies (Seattle Seawolves) One of three UK imports to Seattle’s backs division. David Busby saw plenty of action but Ross Neal lasted just the first half of the season opener. Davies wasn’t even that lucky, limping off in the preseason game against Tasman and seeing zero minutes in the regular season.
