MLR Notes: Chicago and Seattle confirm dispersal signings

Chicago have confirmed the signings of Brad Tucker, Mason Flesch, and Nate Augspurger following the dispersal draft. Tucker and Flesch were selected by the Hounds, while Augspurger’s rights were acquired from NOLA in exchange for salary cap considerations.

With both Tucker and Flesch capable of slotting in at lock or flanker, Chicago now boasts impressive depth at those positions. Specialist locks include James Scott, George Merrick, and Sam Peri while Ben Landry, Mike Matarazzo, and Justice Nkombua play lock or blindside flanker. All are 6’5″ (1.95m) or taller.

Augspurger meanwhile adds a sharp domestic attacker to the squad. All signs pointed to the Eagles flyer lining up at scrumhalf for New York, but he should feature largely on the wing for Chicago. The Hounds already have strength in depth at No9 and with Michael Baska also on the books now have two players capable of covering both scrumhalf and wing.

The Gold also made official the trade of hooker or loosehead prop Gabe Mahu’inga to the Warriors in exchange for Utah’s first round pick in the Dispersal Draft, which turned out to be Augspurger. Mahu’inga was a 1st-round pick in the Collegiate Draft but after playing for the Miners in the American Rugby Premiership opted not to stay in New Orleans. The BYU All-American and USA u23 select had a brief stop with the Hounds Academy recently.

Chicago meanwhile are set to retain ex-Warriors signing Sam Faoagali as their 4th hooker. He signed for Utah late in the season after playing with the USA Hawks and has recently been starting for the Hounds academy, including Friday’s win over the Arrows Academy.

Seattle have added two more Ironworkers to their roster. Having already confirmed points machine Sam Windsor, the Seawolves have now added loosehead prop Chance Wenglewski and No8 Pago Haini. It gives the 2022 finalists two Eagles contenders at No1 with Jake Turnbull returning and former Australia u20 select Cameron Orr incoming. Haini, an Eagles 7s international, provides valuable cover for skipper Riekert Hattingh at the back of the scrum.

Miami have announced the signing of loosehead Alec McDonnell from Houston. After starting his MLR career in New York, the 27-year-old has been a mainstay in the SaberCats match day squads for the past couple seasons. He should be the primary backup to Welsh international Rob Evans, with the versatile Alex Tucci now likely to see more time at tighthead prop.