MLR Notes: Latham joins Seattle, Arrows trio lands in Langford

Former Wallabies star Chris Latham has joined up with Seattle for the 2024 Major League Rugby season. The 48-year-old has taken up an assistant role under Seawolves boss Allen Clarke.

It’s the second MLR appointment for Latham, who was Head Coach of the Utah Warriors in the truncated 2020 campaign. He was due to continue in the role the following season but departed prior to the regular season, with his deputy Shawn Pittman taking charge.

Latham’s illustrious playing career, primarily as a fullback, included 78 tests for Australia, three World Cups, and four selections as his country’s Super Rugby Player of the Year. His coaching resume includes assistant roles with Japan Top League club DTT Docomo and the Samoa national team.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have confirmed their full roster for the 2024 season. Notably absent are scrumhalf Logan Crowley and midfielder Tyler Fisher. Crowley had only recently signed and it’s unclear why the move has been scrapped, while Fisher’s departure had been hinted several weeks ago on a retracted social media post.

Filling the gap at scrumhalf is another New Zealander in Kieran McClea from the Free Jacks. Fisher had been with the Warriors for the past four years, and sees his roster spot taken by former Samoa u20 select Alesana Pohla. Utah will play a preseason match on February 24 against an opponent to be revealed.

Miami will have a former Free Jack in their ranks this season. Stan van den Hoven has arrived at training though curiously he is yet to be publicly confirmed by the Sharks. At 6’8″ (2.03m) he will be among the league’s tallest timber and presents a significant challenge to opposition lineouts.

Three now-former Arrows backs have landed in Langford. Ciaran Breen, Kobe Faust, and Liam Bowman have joined up with the Canada Sevens program for the remainder of their season. It’s a return to the shortened code for Breen, who did not end up signing for Dallas, while Faust and Bowman were approached by coach Sean White shortly after the Arrows folded.