World Cup trio on MLR retirement list

Three members of the USA’s 2015 World Cup squad are among the names of retirees following the 2019 Major League Rugby season. Andrew Suniula, Zach Fenoglio, and Matt Trouville have all hung up the boots after decorated careers that saw them reach the pinnacle of the game in the United States.

Suniula, now 37, had intended to step down after the 2018 season but injuries saw the Austin Elite team manager suiting up as a player seven times in 2019. He kicked two conversions late in his final match against the Seattle Seawolves last month. The American Samoa native won 39 caps in the Eagles midfield from 2008 to 2016, also playing in the 2011 World Cup. His younger brothers Roland and Shalom, also USA internationals, remain with the Seattle Seawolves.

For Fenoglio the end has come at a relatively young age. Still a week short of his 30th birthday, the veteran Glendale hooker won 17 test caps before stepping away from international competition following RWC 2015 to dedicate more time to his family and career. After flirting with retirement in 2018 he played 15 games for the Raptors in 2019.

Also confirming the end of their professional careers at Glendale are second row Casey Rock, flanker Peter Dahl, and fullback Maximo de Achaval. New Zealand-native Dahl, 34, won a dozen caps for the USA spread across four years starting in 2009, while Rock, 32, and de Achaval, 34, both played for the USA Selects. de Achaval was born in Amarillo, Texas, to Argentine parents and raised in Buenos Aires. The 6’9″ (2.06m) Rock has been playing for Glendale since their inception in 2006.

Trouville retires after captaining the Houston SaberCats in 2019, helping the side navigate a turbulent season that saw a mid-season coaching change. The 33-year-old Australian No8 made his Eagles debut in 2014 after qualifying on residency and earned five caps, missing out on more after suffering a knee injury ahead of the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship. Having also served as Academy Director in Houston, he is now expected to join the coaching staff of another MLR side.

Former Eagles lock John Cullen is also moving on to focus on his impending family and pursue a career as a combat medic. The 29-year-old was married last month and is expecting his first child in September. After a standout collegiate football career and brief practice squad contracts with two NFL sides, Cullen returned to rugby and won three caps on the USA’s European tour in 2014, only narrowly missing out on the 2015 World Cup squad. He played 14 games for the Utah Warriors and acted as vice-captain during the 2019 campaign.