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Former All Blacks lock Isaac Ross will join the Austin Gilgronis as a player-coach deal that runs through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 36-year-old confirmed the move to New Zealand publication Stuff prior to Saturday’s Mitre 10 Cup final won by the Tasman Mako.
Ross has been suiting up for the Mako since October after spending nearly a decade in the Japan Top League with the NTT Shining Arcs. He had last played in New Zealand with the Chiefs in 2011, one of three Super Rugby sides Ross turned out for since his 2007 Crusaders debut.
After graduating through the New Zealand age-grade international system, Ross was called up to the Māori squad in 2007 and then played eight tests for the All Blacks in 2009. Upon accepting the contract in Japan he effectively ended his test career at the age of just 27.
Austin now have two former All Blacks signed as player-coaches for 2021, the other loosehead prop Jamie Mackintosh. Ross joins a second row department that already counts USA Selects rep Christian Ostberg and former South Africa u20 cap Sebastian de Chaves, with Canadian international Reegan O’Gorman still to be publicly unveiled. Collegiate signing Cam Dodson now looks set to focus on No8, a position he occupied as captain for GCU.
