The defending Major League Rugby champion Seattle Seawolves have made their first new player signing for the 2019 season and it’s a good one. Already in possession of two of the league’s best goal kickers in Peter Smith and Brock Staller, the Seawolves have added another in US Eagles flyhalf Ben Cima.
A brief intermission with the New England Free Jacks against the now-Toronto Arrows in Halifax sees the 22-year-old Cima head all the way back to the West Coast with Seattle. He had a frustrating season in 2018, largely playing second fiddle to Tadhg Leader with the San Diego Legion and slipping down the USA pecking order somewhat.
His talent is undeniable. Born in Argentina, Cima rose to prominence at Gonzaga College in Washington DC before breaking Canadian hearts with a game-winning 50+ meter penalty goal in stoppage time to lead the Junior All-Americans to the 2016 World Rugby u20 Trophy. He made his Eagles debut against Uruguay in the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship and has since played 10 tests, most recently a replacement against Los Teros in March.