Major League Rugby roster updates

We’re now just days away from the start of the first ever Major League Rugby regular season and all but Utah have wrapped up their preseason schedules. That hasn’t stopped teams from adding players, however, and with the American collegiate rugby season wrapping up we could see a few graduates popping up to bolster MLR rosters in the coming weeks.

Two such players have already been added by the New Orleans Gold. LSU pair Brennan Falcon and Cameron Troxler are the latest additions. The former is a former Junior All-American flanker and younger brother of current front row Cam Falcon. The latter is primarily a fullback and has earned All-Conference selections while also representing USA South at u19 level.

Falcon’s arrival is timely after the unfortunate injury suffered by star flanker Vince Jobo. The South African import was felled in the match against Austin last weekend and had surgery on his Achilles just a few days ago. It almost certainly means the end of his campaign, a cruel blow after an impressive showing in the preseason. John Sullivan is set to take over the starting role after being stuck at lock thus far.

Another who will seemingly play no part in the season is Austin Elite hooker Peter Malcolm. The Eagles rake was tipped to captain the side this season but will instead spend it on the sidelines recovering from a torn ACL. His Ohio Aviators teammate Chris Schade has joined up with the team and looks to be first choice heading into the opening weekend.

Paddy Ryan continues to recover from his own injury and should be back in consideration soon. Roland Suniula’s commitments in Italy are now over and he will join up with the squad imminently, and there was a surprise on the weekend as forwards coach Pedrie Wannenburg pulled on the boots for the first time in nearly two years. The 37-year-old South African international adds much-needed experience to the forward back but can he keep up with players half his age?

Houston SaberCats front row Codi Jones has already suffered the same fate as Malcolm. Recently departing the team prior to the season are flanker Andres Diaz and outside back Art Reyes. Diaz has left to focus on his restaurant business full-time while Army nurse Reyes has been called up to active duty.

On the plus the Cats will soon be able to call upon Colton Pederson. The 6’5″ flanker missed the entirety of the preseason with a shoulder injury but is back to full fitness and has been getting game time with Woodlands RFC to get back up to speed. Prop Jamie Dever is also due to return from Ireland soon after returning briefly to complete his visa requirements.

Speaking of immigration, Seattle have been dealt a major blow as head coach Tony Healy and second row Connor Weyell were unable to secure visas and have now returned to Canada. Phil Mack has taken over the lead coaching role for now with a shortlist drawn up for a potential replacement.

Also leaving the team recently are a pair of USA internationals. Front row Nick Wallace has bowed out due to an ongoing back problem while Garrett Bender left to pursue opportunities outside of rugby in Minneapolis. The front row is sufficiently covered as is but with Weyell and Bender both gone the Seawolves are looking at their options for a second or back rower.

In the meantime they have added new players to the squad. Former Junior All-American No8 Vili Toluta’u has joined from Central Washington and has begun a transition to hooker though he may be required to play some back row with Bender’s departure. Also signed up is Seattle Saracens midfielder William Rasileka, a former Fiji Sevens rep well known for his powerful attacking play.

The Seawolves finally saw some field time yesterday against the Prairie Wolf Pack in a closed scrimmage. Making a surprise appearance was 7s and XVs international Will Holder. The US Army captain is now stationed at nearby Fort Lewis and is set to play for the team when available.

Utah should welcome Eagles No8 David Tameilau to the squad in the coming days as the French Pro D2 season ended over the weekend. His arrival is a boost to the Warriors who will be without Jackson Kaka to start the season after the big blindside flanker suffered a shoulder injury against Glendale in preseason action. Openside Ara Elkington should be nearing a return after taking a head knock in the same game.

Also on the way is Tongan international flyhalf Kurt Morath, whose signing was confirmed during the commentary for the Ontario Arrows match. Second row John Cullen remains sidelined with a knee injury and while the team has in-house options in Kory Olsen and rugby league international Les Soloai, current Eagles lock Siaosi Mahoni has been tipped as a potential replacement after also finishing his season in France on the weekend.

Nearly every outside back on the Eagles radar seems to be popping up in San Diego, and there’s certainly no shortage of flankers. Finding tight five players, however, has proved problematic. Two new arrivals from South Africa took the field against Houston last weekend. Heavyweight Cheetahs prop Dolph Botha is a major boost at tighthead while youngster Lance Lamprecht played in the second row though he is not a natural lock. Further reinforcements here will be required.

Giant Old Aztecs prop Tasi Toilolo was in the lineup against Austin but was a late withdrawal against the SaberCats. Former Junior All-American and Fresno State football lineman Aaron Mitchell suited up at tighthead and Eagles fullback Mike Te’o made a sneaky appearance having been left out of the original match day squad.

Not wanting to be left out, the Glendale Raptors have sprung for two more high quality signings. Eagles hooker Dylan Fawsitt trades in his Rugby United New York digs for a Raptors shirt and Australian flanker Sam Figg arrives direct from representing his country at the Hong Kong Sevens.

Loosehead prop Luke White appears to have been cleared of a potential suspension after getting sent off at the end of the first half against NYAC last weekend. The red card was brandished based on the advice of the assistant referee for what he thought was a punch. As it turns out it was actually a push in a maul that slid up and made contact with the NYAC player’s face.