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The Seattle Seawolves have confirmed a list of 22 returning players ahead of the 2023 Major League Rugby season. It includes eight names who were not publicly contracted beyond the 2022 campaign. The club used 38 players during the regular season in 2022, with many departures already confirmed.
In the front row, South African loosehead prop Dewald Donald and hooker Alex Glover return for a second season. Donald, 22, was the backup to starter Mzamo Majola in 2022, while 24-year-old Glover was on the training squad and did not make a regular season appearance.
Former Eagles flanker Andrew Durutalo has committed to a fourth campaign at Starfire Stadium. The 35-year-old joined the squad late this season after playing for Oxford University in the Varsity Match and started eight games including the Championship Final.
Canadian scrumhalf Reid Watkins enjoyed his first season as a professional. The 28-year-old dressed for every game of the season and played 16 times, catching the eye in a 20-minute cameo against New York at Red Bull Arena.
Midfielders Lopeti Aisea and David Busby have both been rewarded with contract extensions. Aisea, 25, made just four appearances and the former USA age-grade select will be looking to make a bigger impression in 2023. Busby, 28, returned after missing the entire 2021 season with injury to make eight appearances and started all three post-season games.
Jeremiah Sio, who will soon celebrate his 23rd birthday, joins 25-year-old Cole Zarcone in the wing stables for 2023. Sio was an unused replacement in one match and is yet to make his MLR debut. Zarcone played three times after making the move from San Diego ahead of the 2022 season.
Returning forwards who were previously contracted include loosehead prop Mzamo Majola, hooker James Malcolm, tighthead prop Sam Matenga, locks Rhyno Herbst and Ben Landry, openside flanker Nakai Penny, and eightman and captain Riekert Hattingh. The other returning backs are scrumhalf JP Smith, flyhalf AJ Alatimu, centers Tavite Lopeti and Dan Kriel, wingers Martin Iosefo and Lauina Futi, and fullback Duncan Matthews.
Missing from the list are forwards quartet Taniela Tupou, Samu Manoa, Setefano Funaki, and Tommy Clark. Utility back Kieran Joyce and winger Darrell Williams are also not returning. It’s not clear if the 37-year-old Manoa is retiring. Clark was initially signed through the 2024 season.
RETURNING PLAYERS
LH PROP: Dewald Donald, Mzamo Majola
HOOKER: Alex Glover, James Malcolm
TH PROP: Sam Matenga
LOCK: Rhyno Herbst, Ben Landry
BACK ROW: Andrew Durutalo, Riekert Hattingh, Nakai Penny
SCRUMHALF: JP Smith, Reid Watkins
FLYHALF: AJ Alatimu
CENTER: Lopeti Aisea, David Busby, Dan Kriel, Tavite Lopeti
WING: Lauina Futi, Martin Iosefo, Jeremiah Sio, Cole Zarcone
FULLBACK: Duncan Matthews
A detailed squad list for the 2023 season can be seen here.
