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NOLA Gold have signed Domingo Saavedra from Chile. Saavedra joins the major League Rugby (MLR) franchise from his native Chile. It will mark his first experience in professional rugby abroad. Saavedra played for Selknam in the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) now Super Rugby Americas from 2000-2023. He played in Selknam’s debut fixture when the Chilean side conquered Peñarol in Montevideo.
The club announced the signing with the following statement:
We’re thrilled to announce the signing of Domingo Saavedera for the 2024 season! With an impressive track record – playing in all 4 World Cup games for Chile, ranking in the top 10 for turnovers forced, and averaging a remarkable 9.5 tackles per game.
Domingo Saavedra is a highly-regarded center with 28 test caps. He made his debut against Hong Kong in 2017. His father, Emílio also played for Chile. His abilities recently say ARN naming him as the leading outside center for an Americas XV to face Los Pumas in a hypothetical Americas XV vs Argentina match.
Domingo Saavedra is the twin brother of Clemente Saavedra. They both played for Chile at Rugby World Cup 2023. They were regulars in the starting line-up, starting against Japan in Toulouse, against Samoa in Bordeaux, against England in Lille and against Argentina in Nantes.
The center is a product of the Old Boys club in Santiago. Old Boys also produced Chilean Martín Sigren, veteran second-rower Pablo Huete, scrum-half Marcelo Torrealba, Benjamín Videla and Santiago Videla. Torrealba is a former MLR player while Martín Sigren has signed for the New England Free Jacks.
