MLR Notes: Rebolo to LA, White to Houston, Noa suspended

Wilton Rebolo will soon return to Major League Rugby. The Brazilian international has signed a three-year deal with RFC Los Angeles, having previously spent two seasons in New York. He spent the past year in the Southern Hemisphere, starting one game in Super Rugby with the Western Force before suiting up with Northland in New Zealand’s NPC.

The 28-year-old adds both quality and versatility to LA’s front row stocks. Primarily a tighthead prop, Rebolo also has considerable experience at hooker and can fill in at loosehead if required. His selection, however, will require LA to drop another non-domestic player from their match day roster.

Houston have added another experienced domestic prop to their roster. LaRome White has been acquired from Chicago in exchange for salary cap considerations. He prefers the loosehead side but is also comfortable at tighthead. White follows the recent signing of Frikkie de Beer, who made his return to the SaberCats roster this past weekend.

The move does leave Chicago somewhat exposed at prop. At present they have just five senior props on the roster, having already seen academy trio Dan Hanson, Mika Felix, and Juan Pen move to Anthem. Timmy Ohwlein, a member of last year’s team, and former Utah signing Gabe Kettering – both looseheads – could be options should the Hounds seek local cover.

NOLA will be without first choice No8 OJ Noa for the next four games due to suspension. The Samoan international was sent off late in the game against Anthem for a head-high tackle on Shneil Singh that forced the latter off with a blood injury. Noa can suit up again for the April 20 match against Miami.

Michael Manson served the first of his three-game suspension this past weekend. The Utah winger was cited after his boot made contact with the head of a Houston player in the season opener. Joe Mano remains sidelined with an ankle injury though the Warriors are hopeful he will return next month.

This past weekend saw four Utah players leave the field injured during the match against Chicago. Franco van den Berg and Tomasi Tonga limped off with lower-leg injuries, and Sione Mahe was concussed. Onehunga Havili also left the game just a few minutes after coming on as a replacement.

Old Glory will have to make due with Kevin Brou this season. The tighthead prop signed on after spending several years in France but suffered a serious leg injury in the preseason. When Brou does return he will be fully Eagles-qualified. Born in New York, the 30-year-old played the last of his 7 test caps for the Ivory Coast in July of 2021.

Meanwhile the status of back row Niko Jones is uncertain, with rumors suggesting an immediate return to New Zealand could be on the cards. There is better news with star winger Axel Müller now clear to play following suspension and USA international Mike Dabulas also set to return from injury.

The Sharks have also taken a hit with news that Alex Tucci has a torn bicep and is likely to miss the entire campaign. Alec McDonnell, typically a loosehead prop, has been filling in as reserve tighthead behind starter Reinaldo Piussi. It remains to be seen if Miami looks for reinforcements.