A sudden coaching change has come at the American Raptors. The Colorado team is no longer under the command of David Butcher. He coached the team in the three matches thus far in Super Rugby Americas 2024, with the team losing to the Dogos, Pampas, and Peñarol on their South American tour.
The timing of the change is extraordinary given that Butcher was in charge for such a short period of time. Americas Rugby News has learned through multiple sources, however, that the Raptors failed to obtain a proper work visa for Butcher and assistant coach Cory Hector.
Their departure follows that of Marcelo Loffreda and Ignacio Fernández Lobbe shortly before the start of the season. The Argentine duo had been announced as heading up the coaching staff but they were abruptly replaced by Butcher and Hector for what the Raptors said were personal reasons.
Stepping into the Head Coach role with immediate effect is Mose Timoteo. The 47-year-old is a USA Eagles international in both 7s and XVs, earning selection to the 2001 and 2005 Sevens World Cups and 2003 World Cup in Australia. He also played professionally for the Denver Stampede in 2016.