MLR Notes: Klein joins San Diego exodus, New lock for Utah

San Diego have lost another key player to Super Rugby. The club have now confirmed that Shilo Klein is part of the wider training group for the Blues. He joins fellow hooker Sama Malolo, second row Ben Grant, and scrumhalf Richard Judd in making the move to the flagship Pacific domestic competition.

Filling one of the vacant hooker spots is Cyrille Cama. The Fijian-born youngster, 22 years old, is a USA u20 select who spent recent months playing with Randwick in the Shute Shield. Cama has previous MLR experience having made his debut with the LA Giltinis in 2021 and then making a dozen appearances as a replacement flanker in 2022.

Don’t expect to see Ross Braude in an Arrows jersey this coming season. Their star scrumhalf has returned to his home country of South Africa and is now suiting up for the Pumas. It remains to be seen how this affects his participation in test rugby moving forward with Canada, but he is not part of the touring squad currently in Spain.

There is some good news for Toronto fans. Nic Benn is returning for a second year with the club. His first campaign was cruelly cut short just minutes into his debut, dislocating his shoulder while making a crunching tackle against ATL. The Canada-eligible 22-year-old is now recovered and has his sights on the starting No13 shirt, though he can also play on the wing.

Utah have lost one towering lock and replaced him with one even taller. Jamie Lane has left after two seasons at Salt Lake with South African Louis Conradie his replacement. Conradie was most recently on the books with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz and had a brief stay with Peñarol in Uruguay during the pandemic-stricken 2020 season. The 27-year-old stands a lofty 6’8″ (2.04m) which will put him among the tallest players in MLR this coming season.

The Seawolves have signed a new loosehead prop with significant Premiership and Super Rugby experience. Cameron Orr is a former Australia u20 representative who at 28 should still have several years of pro rugby in him. He was on the books for Rebels this past year and most recently played with Wellington in New Zealand’s provincial championship. What Orr’s signing means for incumbent starter Mzamo Majola remains to be seen.

Another returnee has been confirmed by Old Glory. William Talataina is back for a third season in the nation’s capital. The 28-year-old has been a staple in the DC lineup since arriving ahead of the 2022 campaign and is set to form an intimidating midfield partnership with newcomer Tommaso Boni.

Houston’s latest announcements have been a mere formality with second row Siaosi Mahoni and inside center Louritz van der Schyff confirmed as re-signing. Both had already been informally revealed on social media as returning. One who appears to be leaving is scrumhalf Nick Boyer, with a return to San Diego seemingly on the cards.

The Jackals have confirmed flanker Ronnie McElligott for the new season. He is the third of their four Collegiate Draft picks to commit to the side, following fellow back row Marques Fuala’au and outside back Conner Olvera. Versatile Central Washington back Noah Wright was their fourth selection.