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A handful of Major League Rugby’s best players from the 2023 campaign have been named in Super Rugby Pacific rosters for the 2024 season. Six players from the most recent season were named, with another 11 who have previously experienced professional rugby in North America.
San Diego pair Ben Grant and Richard Judd had already been confirmed as joining the Hurricanes, and as expected Utah hooker Henry Bell was named in the Highlanders squad. The Legion have also lost star hooker Sama Malolo to Moana Pasifika. NOLA back row Tom Florence will play for the Chiefs and Free Jacks lock or flanker Semisi Paea follows Malolo to Moana.
A pair of ex-LA standouts will play for Australian sides. Scrumhalf Harrison Goddard is with the Brumbies, and hooker Mahe Vailanu with pack down with the Waratahs. Ex-Austin scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens continues with the Rebels.
Two others will depart MLR after being selected to wider training squads. Free Jacks hooker Mills Sanerivi will be part of the extended Chiefs roster, and Utah scrumhalf Connor McLeod is with the Highlanders.
All told ex-MLR players appear in 10 of the 12 teams in the Pacific competition. While each player’s departure represents a loss to MLR in terms of individual talent, the overall numbers are evidence that the on-field standard of the American league is improving and presents a viable option for those looking to keep their Super Rugby ambitions alive.
| TEAM | PLAYER | MLR TEAM |
| BRUMBIES | Harrison Goddard | LA Giltinis (2021-2022) |
| FORCE | Felix Kalapu | Old Glory DC (2022) |
| REBELS | Ryan Louwrens | Austin Gilgronis (2022) |
| REDS | Richie Asiata Sef Fa’agase |
Toronto Arrows (2020) New England Free Jacks (2021) |
| WARATAHS | Mahe Vailanu | LA Giltinis (2021) |
| BLUES | n/a | |
| CHIEFS | Tom Florence | NOLA Gold (2023) |
| CRUSADERS | n/a | |
| HIGHLANDERS | Henry Bell Will Tucker |
Utah Warriors (2023) Rugby New York (2022) |
| HURRICANES | Ben Grant Richard Judd |
San Diego Legion (2022-2023) San Diego Legion (2023) |
| DRUA | Samu Tawake Tuidraki Samusamuvodre |
Rugby New York (2021) New England Free Jacks (2021) |
| MOANA | Donald Brighouse Sama Malolo Sam Slade Semisi Paea |
New England Free Jacks (2020) Utah (2020-2021) / San Diego (2023) Glendale Raptors (2020) New England Free Jacks (2023) |
