MLR Notes: New prop for Houston, Miami makes moves

The SaberCats have signed a new contender for their No1 shirt. Ezekiel Lindenmuth heads to Major League Rugby after spending the past two years as a match day regular with Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He made his test debut for Samoa in the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup, having previously started for New Zealand at the 2017 World Rugby u20 Championship.

Lindenmuth, 26, should be competing against incumbent starter Rob Cobb at loosehead. Cobb is also a New Zealand age-grade select but two years Lindenmuth’s junior. Houston initially signed Fatongia Paea ahead of 2023, but the North Harbour loosehead did not, in the end, arrive at the club.

Miami have added a pair of ex-Legion forwards ahead of their inaugural campaign. Dan Pryor and Sean McNulty both arrive via San Diego, the former as a free agent and the latter in exchange for salary cap considerations. Pryor, 35, is a former NZ Māori international and can play across the back row. The 28-year-old McNulty is a US-eligible hooker who joins his sixth MLR side in six years.

Formally joining the Legion’s incoming list is their first round choice from the 2023 Collegiate Draft. James Rivers brings his 6’6″ (1.98m) frame to the second row stable who captained the Arizona Wildcats this past year. He is nearing US-eligibility on residency having previously lined up with the Hong Kong u20s.

Make it two more years for Ale Lopeti with NOLA. The 23-year-old hooker has re-signed after making a half-dozen appearances for the Gold in 2023. Five of those were on the flank, and it appears Lopeti’s mobility will see him considered as a loose forward option as well this coming season.