MLR Off-Season Update – Colorado Raptors

It’s a fresh start for the Colorado Raptors, who will have a new name, mostly new coaching staff, and a much-changed team in 2020. The newest reveal is a sneak peak at their home kit for next season, a significant departure from the bright blue strip of 2019. Below we take a look at where things are looking with the start of training camp just a couple weeks away.

2019 CAMPAIGN

Preseason favorites in 2018, the Raptors ended up falling short to Seattle in the Final. It was a very different story in 2019, however, as the team struggled to keep the pace and ended up well out of playoff contention with a 7-7-2 record.

Recruitment had left some vulnerable areas, not least the tight five and the team’s set piece suffered badly as a result. Odd selections also played their part with Eagles World Cup pair Will Magie and Malon Al-Jiboori under-appreciated and a merry-go-round at No8 until Murphy Taramai arrived mid-season.

The axe came down swiftly on Head Coach Dave Williams at season’s end followed by a bevy of cuts on the player personnel front. Both Eagles halfbacks – Magie and team captain Shaun Davies – have departed as have Al-Jiboori, star fullback Dylan Taikato-Simpson, and record try-scorer Harley Davidson.

HOME VENUE

One of just two teams with a dedicated home pitch, Infinity Park remains a fortress though the unbeaten streak was ended in the second-last game of the season against Seattle. In terms of facilities there are no excuses for the Raptors. Their attendance was third-highest in Major League Rugby last season but still only half of capacity.

COACHING STAFF

Replacing Williams as Head Coach is Peter Borlase. The 34-year-old New Zealander has been promoted from Forwards Coach and will have a former teammate along side this season. Former Crusaders flyhalf Stephen Brett is the new Attack Coach with Eagles great Luke Gross in charge of defense. Nico Rithner will handle strength and conditioning and former Raptors flanker Travis Haugen is the video analyst. Mark Bullock remains Director of Rugby.

2020 ROSTER

The recruitment phase is effectively over for the Raptors with 33 players signed up including a whopping 15 incoming. Rene Ranger and Digby Ioane are the big name additions in the backline, with Mike Curry, Michael Stewart, and Sam Slade all arriving from New Zealand as versatile lock or loose forward options.

There is front row experience in former Samoa regular Zak Taulafo and an Ireland age-grade flyhalf and goal kicker in Tomás Quinlan. Eagles caps Aladdin Schirmer and Nick Boyer arrive from other MLR clubs hoping to restart their international ambitions.

Seth Halliman returns from a year’s hiatus and former academy standout Ryan James is back from a stint in San Diego. Jay Finau and Xendy Tatibouët are front row arrivals, former Scotland u20 scrumhalf Sean Yacoubian comes direct from St. Mary’s, and former New Zealand u20 flyer Mason Emerson is expected to make an impact out wide.

In terms of returnees, Hanco Germishuys will be a prominent figure in the back row and Brendan Daly make a permanent shift to the second row. Mika Kruse has some ground to make up after an underwhelming season but John Ryberg will be looking to pick up where he left off after leading the league in tries.

WHAT’S MISSING

One might question the signing priorities of the team with only 16 forwards on the 33-man roster. There is a glaring question of depth particularly in the front row with only four senior props signed to date. Academy tighthead Moses Saole could be next in line to help, while former SaberCats and All-American loosehead Estevan Florez has recently been playing for the Glendale Merlins.

The backs have no such issues with two complete lineups available. Finding game time for them all might be tricky. Kruse aside, the likes of James, Mateo Gadsden, and Campbell Johnstone have shown promise but it will take some doing to get a starting spot ahead of older pros.

RE-SIGNED (18):

Blake Rogers, LH
Chad Gough, HO
Marco Fepulea’i, TH
Kelepi Fifita, TH
Kody O’Neil, LO
Luke White, LO
Brendan Daly, LO/FL
Connor Cook, FL
Hanco Germishuys, FL
Carlo de Nysschen, SH
Ata Malifa, FH/CE
Robbie Petzer, FH/CE
Campbell Johnstone, CE
Mika Kruse, CE
Chad London, CE
Mateo Gadsden, WI
Nick Johnson, WI
John Ryberg, WI

IN (15):

Zak Taulafo, LH, Ceret (FR)
Jay Finau, HO, Life West Gladiators
Xendy Tatibouët, HO, Arkansas Gryphons
Mike Curry, LO/FL, Tasman Mako (NZ)
Sam Slade, LO/FL, Counties Manukau (NZ)
Aladdin Schirmer, FL, Seattle Seawolves
Michael Stewart, N8, Timisoara (RO)
Nick Boyer, SH, San Diego Legion
Sean Yacoubian, SH, St. Mary’s Gaels
Tomás Quinlan, FH, Narbonne (FR)
Digby Ioane, CE/WI, Panasonic Wild Knights (JP)
Rene Ranger, CE/WI, Sunwolves (JP)
Mason Emerson, WI, Hawke’s Bay (NZ)
Ryan James, WI/FB, San Diego Legion
Seth Halliman, FB, unattached

OUT (16):

Noah Barker, LH
Max Lum, LH, Old Glory DC
Zach Fenoglio, HO, retired
Casey Rock, LO, retired
Jonny Layne, LO/FL
Malon Al-Jiboori, FL
Peter Dahl, FL, retired
Jason Damm, FL, Rugby ATL
Will Munro, FL, Kurita Water Gush (JP)
Murphy Taramai, N8, Hurricanes (NZ)
Mickey Bateman, SH
Shaun Davies, SH, Utah Warriors (coach)
Will Magie, FH, London Scottish (UK)
Harley Davidson, WI, Rugby ATL
Maximo de Achaval, FB, retired
Dylan Taikato-Simpson, FB, Old Glory DC