Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Former Canada Sevens captain John Moonlight is among 11 new signings unveiled by the Toronto Arrows on Tuesday. The 31-year-old – also a member of the 2015 World Cup team – retired from international competition earlier in the year to pursue a career in firefighting but will lace up the boots again for the 2019 Major League Rugby season.
Moonlight is one of three new players who have yet to wear at Arrows jersey. Arriving on loan from Premiership club Saracens is 6’4″ (1.93m) loose forward Jack Nay. At 21 he is just a year removed from representing England at the World Rugby u20 Championship and has most recently been on dual registration with RFU Championship club Bedford Blues.
A second Uruguayan winger has also put pen to paper with the club. Leandro Leivas, 30, boasts more than 70 appearances for Los Teros and joins countryman Gastón Mieres at the Arrows. Where Mieres is known for his skill and creativity, Leivas is a powerful finisher who was part of the 2015 World Cup squad.
Returning to the Arrows after missing the spring campaign is Canadian international Guiseppe du Toit. The midfielder appeared in the first ever Arrows match against Glendale in September 2017. Featuring a booming right boot, du Toit earned Canada ‘A’ honors as an 18-year-old in the 2013 Americas Rugby Championship and has since won 12 test caps.
Five forwards continue from the 2018 season. First choice hooker AJ Quattrin has signed on along with prop Tom Dolezel and second row Mike Sheppard. Flanker Marcello Wainwright and No8 Kolby Francis have also committed for 2019. Dolezel and Sheppard are Canadian internationals, the latter set to captain the side having made his test breakthrough in the World Cup Repechage competition last month.
Riley DiNardo will provide scrumhalf cover for Canada duo Andrew Ferguson and Jamie Mackenzie. Filling out the midfield are established Arrows Jamie Leveridge and Mitch Richardson, with the versatile Johnny Sheridan capable of playing virtually every back position outside of scrumhalf. Richardson has played for Canada at u20 and senior ‘A’ level both as a flyhalf or center.
The Arrows now have 34 players confirmed for their first season in MLR. Six are not currently Canadian eligible though New Zealand-born Aaron McLelland will qualify on residency in September 2019.
Also confirmed is the appointment of long-time Ontario Blues coach Chris Silverthorn as Director of Rugby. He will head up a coaching staff that includes former Canada captain Aaron Carpenter. Silverthorn has been with the Arrows since their inception while Carpenter joined shortly after confirming his retirement in January.
Cory Hector continues as an assistant along with a new addition in newly-retired Seattle Seawolves flyhalf Peter Smith. Long-time performance analyst Rodin Lozada is on the team with a pair of strength & conditioning experts in Sean Harrison and Jeff Watson.
