MLR Notes: Muir leaves Houston, Free Jacks and Seattle sign two

Houston have confirmed that their captain Dean Muir will not be returning for a third season at SaberCats Stadium. The 34-year-old hooker has been a mainstay in the side for the past two years since making the move to Texas from San Diego.

It remains to be seen if Axel Zapata will return but either way the Cats will need at least one new hooker with Joe Taufete’e also departing for Seattle. Former Old Glory prop Will Vakalahi was trialed in the position during the regular season and has continued to wear No2 for the HTX academy side.

The Seawolves have bolstered their forward pack with a pair of new second rowers. Jean Droste and Mahonri Ngakuru head to the Pacific Northwest via South Africa and New Zealand respectively. Both have Super Rugby experience and help cover the departure of Ben Landry to Chicago.

Droste is the older of the two at 29 and joins from the Cheetahs. He made three Super Rugby appearances for the Sharks in 2017 and has also played provincial rugby for the Blue Bulls. Japan has also been a frequent stop with professional appearances for Kubota, NEC, and Sanix.

Ngakuru is 23 years old and the heavier man at a little over 260lbs (119kg). A New Zealand u20 trialist, he has played the past two seasons of Super Rugby with Moana Pasifika. At provincial level Ngakuru was a starter with North Harbour in recent months and previously spent three years with Tasman Mako.

New England have added two new players to their roster for 2024. Canadian international Piers von Dadelszen and Canadian-eligible Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti make the move from old England, with the former joining from Oxford University and the latter from Newcastle Falcons.

von Dadelszen is a 6’4″ (1.93m) lock or blindside flanker who at 23 years of age will be looking to press his claims for a starting role in the Canadian side. Nordli-Kelemeti is a scrumhalf who represented England at u18 level and is also eligible for Fiji. They effectively replace the departed Semisi Paea and Kieran McClea on the Free Jacks roster.

Meanwhile a trade has seen another Canadian international – Spencer Jones – leave New England for Utah. A versatile player who can lineup at center, fullback, or even flyhalf if needed, the 26-year-old joins his third Major League Rugby side with the Free Jacks acquiring a 1st-round pick in the 2024 Collegiate Draft and salary cap considerations in return.

Re-signing with the Arrows is Canada squad regular Peter Nelson. Originally from Northern Ireland, the 31-year-put an end to a three-season stint in France when he moved to Toronto mid-way through the campaign. A flyhalf or fullback, he will have hot competition for a starting role with Sam Malcolm returning and both Robbie Povey and Rewita Biddle joining the squad this year.

The newest addition to the Legion is Matai Leuta. He returns to San Diego having previously been a senior member of the Eagles Sevens squad at Chula Vista. The 33-year-old center or wing was a standout with Houston in 2022 before making the switch to Chicago this past season.