MLR Notes – Western Conference signings and injury updates

The trade and signing deadline has now passed and while some changes are still to be revealed, a number of roster moves have been revealed. There is also a few notable injuries, and one suspension over the past weekend that will have an affect in the second half of the season. With so much going on we’re splitting the notes into two this week. First up, the Western Conference.

Chicago have been very busy ahead of the deadline. Ex-Austin lock Cam Dodson will reunite with Sam Harris & Co. after spending the last few months in England. Also bolstering the pack is US-eligible lock or blindside flanker Justice Nkombua, who arrives from the Blue Bulls academy side in South Africa. At 21 years old and standing 6’5″ (1.96m) he will be one to watch.

A backline reinforcement is also on the way. Former USA Sevens and Houston center or wing Matai Leuta has now been confirmed. There are a pair of Hounds extended squad members with the USA Hawks in No8 Tinashe Muchena and Josh McAdam, a South African-born ex-Davenport flanker who is now eyeing a switch to the midfield.

The two forwards make up for the loss of Luke Beauchamp with a shoulder injury. He’ll be out for several weeks if not the rest of the season. Julián Domínguez and Hugh Roach are HIA concerns, the former leaving early against New England and the latter going down this past weekend against San Diego.

Meanwhile the Hounds are being linked with a pair of Irish international wingers for next season. Leinster’s Dave Kearney and Connacht’s Adam Byrne are likely to make the move according to Murray Kinsella. Kearney would not be a surprise given he is said to have a minor financial stake in the team.

It’s been one in, one out for Dallas over the past week. Adriaan Carelse was traded to Seattle in exchange for salary cap space. The Seawolves needed some help after injuries to key players in the backline, while Carelse’s import status was limiting his game time for the Jackals. It’s the third MLR team for the playmaking flyhalf or fullback, who has previously suited up for ATL.

Arriving just in time to start against Houston was former Old Glory forward Matt Gordon. Originally from Scotland, he is US-eligible and was a Collegiate All-American as a loose forward. Gordon has put in a bit of bulk and should feature mostly at lock for the Jackals.

The SaberCats confirmed back row Tomi Agbongbon and outside back Kitan Ojo last week. Both have arrived from England but are US-born. Agbongbon was a replacement against Dallas while Ojo has already featured for Houston’s academy side. Currently working his way back to fitness with HTX is former USA u20 prop Valdemar Lee-Lo, who hasn’t played for the SaberCats since the 2021 season due to injury.

Heyneke Meyer’s recruitment efforts has also borne fruit at scrumhalf. Ruben de Haas has been lined up on a short-term deal from Saracens before he joins the Cheetahs in July. The Eagles starter won’t be arriving straight away but will around in time to complete the four-match requirement to qualify for postseason play. de Haas is effectively a replacement for Dillon Smit who has only played a handful of minutes this season due to a leg injury.

The SaberCats will be without No8 Gideon van Wyk for the next three weeks. He was suspended after being sent off against Dallas for a head-on-head clearout of Tomás Baravalle. van Wyk is tentatively eligible to return against Utah on May 20, but don’t be surprised if the suspension is reduced by a week thanks to World Rugby’s ‘coaching intervention program’ policy that has already been used by three players this season.

It seems more likely that San Diego would be offering talent in trade given their abundance of talent, but no leavers have come over the wires yet. Luke Green joined the team on loan from London Irish and the England u20 tighthead prop has started the past two games. The Legion wanted another senior body in the front row with draft pick Oliver Kane currently on the Hawks roster.

Alex Horan and Finn Kearns debuted this past weekend, but Luke Burton and Filimoni Waqainabete have yet to play a single minute. There is at least one more player incoming as Canadian flanker Michael Smith is set to return at the end of his school semester.

The Seawolves brought in Adriaan Carelse to cover for a longer-term injury to Tavite Lopeti, and Jordan Chait is dealing with a shoulder problem. They’ll be hoping that Duncan Matthews is ok after going down with what looked like a bad hamstring against Utah. Matthews had been playing outside center with Carelse at fullback.

David Busby’s match day opportunities have been limited and with Carelse also an import, the  utility back had been linked with a move to New York though neither team have confirmed it as of yet. The Ironworkers have room for an import after the injury to star winger Teofilo Fidow.

Seattle have sent hooker Alex Glover, flyhalf Shane Barry, and winger Cole Zarcone to play for the Hawks until May. All three featured in the first match against the Pumitas in Charlotte on Saturday. None of the trio have appeared during this year’s regular season.

Fans recently got a glimpse of what the future might look like for the Seawolves. Owner Adrian Balfour has already confirmed his interest in being part of the redeveloped Memorial Stadium plans. Starfire won’t be going anywhere just yet though. The Seattle Center venue is still at the proposal stage and best-case scenario won’t be ready until the 2027 season.

There is bad news for Warriors fans with confirmation that Paul Lasike will play no further part in the 2023 campaign after suffering a knee injury against the Free Jacks. Utah are not in panic mode, however, with strong midfield options already on the roster in Tyler Fisher, Calvin Whiting, Mika Kruse, and Tomasi Tonga. Kruse had been playing on the wing but has recently impressed in the No13 shirt.

Scrumhalf Niall Saunders has been traded to ATL for cap space after seeing the starting role taken over by Connor McLeod this season. It was unsanctioned discussions with Saunders that led to Heyneke Meyer’s one-week suspension. Old Glory were also interested in Saunders but it’s their Eastern Conference rivals who in the end have snagged the former Ireland u20 international.

A new second row is on the way pending release from his French club. Canadian age-grade international Kaden Duguid, who stands an impressive 6’8″ (2.03m), should add a domestic option to a banged-up lock stable. Jamie Lane is already out with concussion and Onehunga Havili did not return from a first half HIA against Seattle. Saia Uhila also took a heavy knock to the leg.