photo: LA Giltinis

MLR Notes: Quade Cooper training with LA, other updates

Social media has been buzzing with the sightings of Quade Cooper training in LA Giltinis gear. While the Wallabies star looks to be enjoying himself, fans shouldn’t expect to see him on a Major League Rugby pitch any time soon.

The club have confirmed that Cooper has not signed a contract and is currently visiting former teammates. They did not rule out the potential of a deal for 2023, but it appears unlikely given Cooper’s ambitions to represent Australia at the World Cup. MLR 2024 maybe?

Matt Giteau recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury and is now in a race against the clock to make any appearances at all in 2022. In better news for the club, Luke Carty has been passed fit to return from his torn pec suffered in the preseason and will suit up against Dallas this weekend.

Stephen Hoiles won’t be on the sidelines however. The Head Coach has been slapped with a one-week suspension for sideline behavior. He will be free to return on May 28 against the Utah Warriors, coincidentally the same game that should feature the return of Hanco Germishuys from his suspension.

Having trained for several weeks with the club, Fijian dynamo Veramu Dikidikilati will finally debut for the Dallas Jackals against LA. He was a wrecking ball at outside center or on the wing for the Houston SaberCats last season. The 25-year-old was on the extended training roster of the Fijian Drua before returning to Texas.

The San Diego Legion announced another addition to their roster. Former Scotland u20 flyhalf Josh Henderson arrived two weeks ago and is now cleared to play. He is eligible for Hong Kong through ancestry and most recently suited up for the USRC Tigers in their premier division.

Canadian international Shane O’Leary was reportedly in attendance at the Arrows vs Free Jacks game in Toronto on Thursday. The 29-year-old flyhalf is now a free agent after departing French Pro D2 club Rouen Normandie. Given the shortage of domestic talent available at the No10 position, there should be several suitors in MLR lining up for his signature.

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Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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