2020 MLR Transfer Summary

Despite being five weeks into the 2020 Major League Rugby season, new players were still arriving almost on a weekly basis. The unfortunate cancellation of the remainder gives us an early chance to review the roster changes that occurred between the 2019 and 2020 seasons and to identify those who didn’t even get an opportunity to play due to visa delays. Below we take a team-by-team look at where the incoming came from and where the outgoing landed.

 

 

AUSTIN GILGRONIS

It was very much a changing of the guard in Austin, in just about every way. This year’s lineup was nearly unrecognizable to the team of a year ago, to be expected given the winless result. Leading the outgoing were captain Ben Mitchell, Eagles hooker Peter Malcolm, both Josh and Travis Larsen, and the entirety of their French legion.

Three weeks ago saw the beginning of the high profile signings arrive. Former All Blacks Jamie Mackintosh and Frank Halai made an instant impression but sadly we only got to see one game each from World Cup trio Pele Cowley, Kurt Morath, and Will Magie.

Injured trio Wilton Rebolo, Michael de Waal, and Roland Suniula hadn’t played a single minute in the regular season. Other returnees yet to appear were prop Phil Hanson and winger Reece Czarnecki. Australian pair Maclean Jones and Adam Ashley-Cooper were left in visa limbo, while other reinforcements were also said to be in the works.

Tongan international Dan Faleafa was meant to arrive but instead signed on as a medical joker in France. Enele Malele joined up with the Fijian Latui, and Wesley White left the team shortly after their preseason match against the Austin Huns.

 

IN (20)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Jamie Mackintosh	Pau (FR)	New Zealand
LH	Skyler Adams	New Brighton (NZ)	USA
HO/TH	Wilton Rebolo*	Pasteur (BR)	Brazil
LO	Erik Jacobson	Chicago Griffins	USA
LO	JP Novak	Austin Huns	USA
LO	Luca Tani	SFGG	USA
LO/FL	Potu Leavasa	Warringah Rats (AU)	Samoa
FL	Dominic Akina	Western Oregon	USA
FL	Michael de Waal*	Lindenwood	South Africa / USA
FL	Stewart Morris	Austin Blacks	USA
N8	Lino Saunitoga	Kalihi Raiders	Fiji / USA
SH	Pele Cowley	Ponsonby (NZ)	Samoa
FH	Will Magie	London Scottish (UK)	USA
FH	Kurt Morath	Doncaster Knights (UK)	Tonga
FH	Alex Rees	Austin Huns	USA
CE	Gabe Farley	Macquarrie Uni (AU)	USA / Australia
CE	Roland Suniula*	Seattle Seawolves	USA
WI	Frank Halai	Pau (FR)	New Zealand
WI	Rodrick Waters	West Houston Lions	USA
FB	Corey Jones	Old Glory DC	USA

*no regular season appearances in 2020

 

OUT (15)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Sunao Takizawa	NEC Green Rockets (JP)	Japan
HO	Peter Malcolm	San Diego Legion	USA
LO	Josh Larsen	New England Free Jacks	Canada
LO	Ronan McCusker**	New England Free Jacks	Ireland / USA
LO	Ben Mitchell	San Diego Legion	England / Ireland
LO	Dylan Pieterse	Old Glory DC	South Africa
LO/FL	Kyle Breytenbach	Houston SaberCats	South Africa / USA
FL/N8	Travis Larsen	Old Glory DC	Canada
SH	Mickaël Romera	La Seyne (FR)	France
CE	Juan Pablo Aguirre	Rugby United New York	Argentina / USA
CE	Simon Bienvenu	Kowloon (HK)	France
CE	Doug Fraser	Old Glory DC	Canada
CE	Andrew Suniula	Retired (coach)	USA
WI	Aidan McMullan	Concordia Stingers	Canada
FB	Soheyl Jaoudat	CS Beaune (FR)	Morocco

**return from loan

 

 

COLORADO RAPTORS

Another team who changed dramatically in the off-season. A handful of regulars opted to retire including captain Shaun Davies, with his halfback partner Will Magie eventually landing in Austin via London Scottish. Fallout with team management led to the departure of star flanker Hanco Germishuys to New York on the eve of the season.

The Raptors did well compared to most with virtually their entire team coming together before the season with the exception of Rene Ranger, a late arrival, and visa-stricken Digby Ioane. It’s not clear at this point if the latter will ever appear in a Colorado jersey.

Players with no match day appearances this season included prop Blake Rogers and backs Campbell Johnstone, Nick Johnson, and Mateo Gadsden.

 

IN (14)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Zak Taulafo	Ceret (FR)	Samoa
LH/HO	Xendy Tatibouët	Arkansas Gryphons	France / USA
HO	Jay Finau	Life West Gladiators	USA
LO/FL	Michael Curry	Tasman Mako (NZ)	New Zealand / Samoa / USA
FL	Aladdin Schirmer	Seattle Seawolves	USA
FL	Mike Stewart	Timisoara (RO)	New Zealand / Samoa
N8	Sam Slade	Counties Manukau	New Zealand
SH	Nick Boyer	San Diego Legion	USA
SH	Sean Yacoubian	St. Mary’s Gaels	Scotland / USA
FH	Tomás Quinlan	Narbonne (FR)	Ireland
CE	Rene Ranger	Sunwolves (JP)	New Zealand
WI	Ryan James	San Diego Legion	USA / Samoa
FB	Mason Emerson	Hawke’s Bay (NZ)	New Zealand
FB	Seth Halliman	Unattached	USA

 

OUT (17)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Noah Barker	James Bay	Canada
LH/HO	Max Lum	Old Glory DC	USA
HO	Zach Fenoglio	Retired	USA
LO	Casey Rock	Retired	USA
LO/FL	Jonny Layne	Retired	USA
LO/FL	Will Munro	Kurita Water Gush (JP)	Australia
FL	Peter Dahl	Retired	USA
FL	Hanco Germishuys	Rugby United New York	USA
FL/N8	Malon Al-Jiboori	San Diego Legion	USA
FL/N8	Jason Damm	Rugby ATL	USA
N8	Murphy Taramai	Hurricanes (NZ)	New Zealand
SH	Shaun Davies	Retired (Utah coach)	USA
FH	Will Magie	London Scottish (UK)	USA
WI	Harley Davidson	Rugby ATL	USA
FB	Maximo de Achaval	Retired	USA
FB	Dylan Taikato-Simpson	Old Glory DC	New Zealand / Australia

 

 

HOUSTON SABERCATS

Late arrivals were the predominant theme for the SaberCats heading into the regular season. Argentine trio Nicolás Solveyra, Diego Fortuny, and Thomas Morani were pressed into action just days after setting foot on US soil. Norfolk prop CJ Burke was an emergency call-up for the opening week with loose forward Adriaan Booysen a late but welcome addition.

The departures list was extensive. Captain Matt Trouville retired while top talent such as Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, Thretton Palamo, and Josua Vici headed for the exit door. Three Uruguayans returned home to participate in SLAR. Last minute moves saw Irish prop Jamie Dever joining Paul Mullen in San Diego while second row Charlie Hewitt packed his bags for New York.

Starting hooker Pat O’Toole took up a short-term opportunity with Glasgow but is now curiously without a pro deal, instead turning out for All-Ireland League side Garryowen. Germany international Ayron Schramm broke his rest early in the 2019 season and did not return. The No8 remains in the USA but is without a contract or even club side.

Players on the roster who did not appear in a match day squad this season include back row Mathew Faoagali and backs Joe Kelly, Max Tacket, and Zack Godfrey. Burke, hooker Gabe Romero, and Jake Christmann were named on the bench but did not play any minutes.

 

IN (17)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Nicolás Solveyra	CUBA (AR)	Argentina
HO	Tim Cadwallader	Kowloon (HK)	New Zealand
HO	Diego Fortuny	Uni Salta (AR)	Argentina
TH	CJ Burke	Norfolk Blues	USA
TH	Boyd Wiggins	Northland (NZ)	New Zealand
LO/FL	Kyle Breytenbach	Austin Gilgronis	South Africa / USA
N8	Adriaan Booysen	Welwitschias (NA)	Namibia
N8	Mathew Faoagali*	Western Sydney (AU)	USA / Samoa / New Zealand
SH	Jake Christmann	Chicago Lions	USA
SH	De Wet Roos	Southern Districts (AU)	South Africa / Australia
SH/FH	Zachary Short	Greerton Marist (NZ)	USA / New Zealand
FH/CE	Taylor Howden	NOLA Gold	New Zealand / USA
CE	Tiaan Loots	Dragons (UK)	South Africa
CE	Thomas Morani	CUBA (AR)	Argentina
CE/FB	Matías Freyre	Newman (AR)	Argentina
WI	Zack Godfrey*	Ealing Trailfinders (UK)	USA / England
WI	Tim Stanfill	OMBAC	USA

*no regular season appearances in 2020

 

OUT (23)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Jake Turnbull	Old Glory DC	USA
LH	Mateo Sanguinetti	Peñarol (UR)	Uruguay
LH/TH	Jamie Dever	San Diego Legion	Ireland
HO	Amro Gouda	Rugby ATL	USA
HO	Pat O’Toole	Garryowen (IR)	USA
TH	Matt Almeida		USA / Portugal / Tonga
TH	Paul Mullen	San Diego Legion	USA
LO	Charlie Hewitt	Rugby United New York	England
LO	Matt Trouville	Retired	USA
LO/FL	Chris Parker		England / USA
FL	Chris Coyle		USA
FL	Chad Joseph	Dallas RFC	New Zealand / USA
N8	Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz	Old Glory DC	USA
N8	Alejandro Nieto	Peñarol (UR)	Uruguay
N8	Ayron Schramm		Germany
SH	Santiago Arata	Peñarol (UR)	Uruguay
SH	Connor Murphy	Dallas RFC	England
SH	Chris Saint	Dallas RFC	USA
CE	Conor Mills	Houston United	USA
CE	Thretton Palamo	Old Glory DC	USA
WI	Kelly Kolberg	Dallas RFC	USA
WI	Deion Mikesell	New England Free Jacks	USA
WI	Josua Vici	Colomiers (FR)	Fiji

 

 

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS

Technically every player for the expansion sides are new but for the purpose of this exercise we considered incoming to be those who did not partake in the spring exhibition campaign for the Free Jacks. Of note is that every one of New England’s additions including late arrival Ben Landry made an appearance during the regular season.

Two players announced previously did not stick with the club. Fiji u20 prop Isaac Cavu was not given medical clearance due to a pre-existing injury. His place on the roster went to Samoan international Donald Brighouse. Former Wales Rugby League center Peter Lupton also withdrew prior to the season.

Of those who did appear during the exhibition campaign, two have emerged with other professional teams. Tighthead prop Dolph Botha returned to South Africa and played for the Griffons in the Currie Cup. Fullback Bryan Ptomey has moved to the NOLA Gold.

Six players on the roster did not make a match day appearance this season – injured prop Tony Purpura, hooker Diego Maquieira, back rows Jon Kokinda and Pago Haini, and outside backs Stephen Dazzo and Ahmad Harajly. Winger Christian Adams was an unused replacement against San Diego.

 

IN (15)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Tolu Fahamokioa	Hawke’s Bay (NZ)	Tonga
TH	Donald Brighouse	Taranaki (NZ)	Samoa
TH	Kensuke Hatakeyama	Suntory Sungoliath (JP)	Japan
LO	Josh Larsen	Austin Gilgronis	Canada
LO/FL	Ben Landry	Ealing Trailfinders (UK)	USA
FL	Naulia Dawai	Otago (NZ)	Fiji
FL	Zack Stryffeler	NOLA Gold	USA
N8	Brad Hemopo	Manly Marlins (AU)	New Zealand / USA
SH	John Poland	Munster (IR)	Ireland
CE	Sam Beard	Cardiff RFC (UK)	New Zealand / Wales
CE	Liam Steel	Bay of Plenty (NZ)	New Zealand / Samoa
CE/FB	Mitch Wilson	Life Running Eagles	USA
WI	Deion Mikesell	Houston SaberCats	USA
WI	Poasa Waqanibau	Fijian Drua (FI)	Fiji
FB	Beaudein Waaka	Manly Marlins (AU)	New Zealand

 

OUT (2)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
TH	Dolph Botha	Griffons (SA)	South Africa
FB	Bryan Ptomey	NOLA Gold	USA

 

 

NOLA GOLD

The Gold were a relatively settled side with new signings supplementing an already competitive roster. Of the outgoing list by far the most significant was the unexpected departure of star player Tristan Blewett, who has opted to concentrate on his university studies for the time being.

Of those incoming, half were extended roster members. The most notable signing who did not appear is Sharks hooker Cullen Collopy who was hit with a visa delay. Former SaberCats regular Lindsey Stevens was a timely arrival from Australia to fill the void.

Back row Tabo Maree remained injured at the season’s cancellation. Metropolis halfback Trace Bolstad was brought in as emergency cover for two matches but did not play any minutes. Outside back Joeli Tikoisuva was an unused replacement against Colorado.

Extended roster members who did not make an appearance include front rows Konor Coan and Kavika Peniata, second row Will Waguespack, flanker Giovanni Lapp, center Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, and outside backs Kenneth Jinkens, Jonathan Poole, Bryan Ptomey, and Cameron Troxler. All played for New Orleans RFC when not required by the Gold.

 

IN (13)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH/HO	Konor Coan*	University of Otago (NZ)	USA / New Zealand
HO	Lindsey Stevens	Eastern Suburbs (AU)	Australia / USA / Canada
TH	Dino Waldren	San Diego Legion	USA
FL	Giovanni Lapp*	New Orleans RFC	USA
N8	Tabo Maree*	Arkansas State	South Africa / USA
SH	Trace Bolstad	Metropolis	USA
FH/FB	Robbie Coleman	Gordon (AU)	Australia
CE	Osaiasi Tonga’uiha*	Life West Gladiators	USA / Tonga
CE/FB	Carl Meyer	Ebbw Vale (UK)	South Africa
WI	Julián Domínguez	Pucará (AR)	Argentina
WI	Kenneth Jinkins*	Tampa Bay Krewe	USA
WI	Jonathan Poole*	Life Running Eagles	USA
FB	Bryan Ptomey*	New England Free Jacks	USA

*no regular season appearances in 2020

 

OUT (13)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Hubert Buydens	Trinity Western (coach)	Canada
HO	Mason Briant	Buller (NZ)	USA
HO/TH	Alex Maughan**	Rugby ATL	USA
TH	Ross Davies	Dallas RFC	Wales / USA
FL	Vince Jobo	Austin Blacks	South Africa / USA
FL	Tony Lamborn	Blues (NZ)	USA
FL	Caleb Meyer	Utah Warriors	USA
FL	Zack Stryffeler	New England Free Jacks	USA
SH	Michael Baska	Utah Warriors	USA
FH	Tadhg Leader**	New England Free Jacks	USA
FH/CE	Taylor Howden	Houston SaberCats	New Zealand / USA
CE/WI	Tristan Blewett		South Africa
CE/WI	Bobby Johns		USA

**return from loan

 

 

OLD GLORY DC

As with New England, our incoming list for Old Glory includes all those who did not partake in their exhibition calendar. In that respect their turnover was more significant with virtually their entire first choice lineup new to the side ahead of their inaugural regular season.

One announced signing – Mitch MacCartney – did not eventuate, instead opting to retire before making a single appearance for the team. His roster spot went to returnee Tyler Myles. Two players from the 2019 campaign have emerged elsewhere. Front row Cullen Barelka landed with 404, Rugby ATL’s development side, with outside back Corey Jones now at Austin.

Wrestling convert Cory Daniel was the only new arrival who did not make a regular season appearance. Top prospect Jack Iscaro was a long-term injury casualty in the preseason. Front row pair Wale Williams and Mo Katz were unused replacements against NOLA and ATL respectively.

Other roster members who did not made a match day appearance were flanker Dacoda Worth, halfbacks Sean Hartig and Myles, and wingers Vetekina Malafu and Ryan Burroughs.

 

IN (24)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Tendai Mtawarira	Sharks (SA)	South Africa
LH	Jake Turnbull	Houston SaberCats	USA
LH/HO	Max Lum	Colorado Raptors	USA
HO	Mike Sosene-Feagai	Auckland (NZ)	USA
TH	Gordon Fullerton	Te Awamutu (NZ)	New Zealand / USA
LO	Api Naikatini	Seattle Seawolves	Fiji
LO	Tevita Naqali	Fijian Drua (FI)	Fiji
LO	Dylan Pieterse	Austin Gilgronis	South Africa
FL	Cory Daniel*	Unattached	USA
FL	Matt Hughston	Rugby United New York	USA
FL	Mungo Mason	Edinburgh (UK)	Scotland
FL	Jack McLean	Penn State	USA
FL	Nic Mirhashem	Cal Golden Bears	Spain / USA
FL/N8	Travis Larsen	Austin Gilgronis	Canada
N8	Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz	Houston SaberCats	USA
SH	Danny Tusitala	Auckland (NZ)	Samoa
FH	Mike Dabulas	Penn State	USA
FH	Jason Robertson	Bay of Plenty (NZ)	New Zealand
CE	Doug Fraser	Austin Gilgronis	Canada
CE	Ciaran Hearn	London Irish (UK)	Canada
CE	Thretton Palamo	Houston SaberCats	USA
WI	Declan O’Donnell	Waikato (NZ)	New Zealand
WI	Renata Roberts-Te Nana	Northland (NZ)	New Zealand
FB	Dylan Taikato-Simpson	Colorado Raptors	New Zealand / Australia

*no regular season appearances in 2020

 

OUT (2)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH/HO	Cullen Barelka	404 Rugby	USA
FB	Corey Jones	Austin Gilgronis	USA

 

 

RUGBY ATL

The only side not to field a team in an exhibition capacity prior to the 2020 preseason, ATL’s incoming list instead identifies those imported from other MLR or overseas clubs. Otherwise their additions come from US-based college or amateur club sides.

Former professional football player Frederick Henry-Ajudua was part of the preseason group but has since left the team. His roster spot went to versatile Southland forward Bill Fukofuka, previously of the San Francisco Rush during the 2016 PRO season.

Roster members who did not make an appearance during the regular season include tighthead prop Sam Chaney, flanker Paris Hollis, scrumhalf Eamonn Matthews, flyhalf Zac Mizell, and center Zach Young. Canada ‘A’ winger Karsten Leitner was set to join but has yet to fully recover from a serious Achilles injury.

 

IN (17)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
HO	Amro Gouda	Houston SaberCats	USA
TH	Duane Aholelei	Clermont Auvergne (FR)	Tonga
TH	Cronan Gleeson	Munster (IR)	Ireland
LO	Conor Keys	Rotherham Titans (UK)	Canada
LO	Johan Momsen	Griquas (SA)	South Africa
LO	Stefan Willemse	Pumas (SA)	South Africa
LO/FL	Marno Redelinghuys	Western Province (SA)	South Africa
FL	Matt Heaton	Mowden Park (UK)	Canada
FL/N8	Jason Damm	Colorado Raptors	USA
FL/N8	Harry Higgins	West Harbour (AU)	USA
N8	Ross Deacon	Rugby United New York	USA / Ireland
N8	Bill Fukofuka	Southland (NZ)	Tonga / New Zealand
FH	Kurt Coleman	Eastern Province (SA)	South Africa
CE	Ryan Nell	Pumas (SA)	South Africa
CE/WI	Jeremy Misailegalu	Utah Warriors	USA
WI	Harley Davidson	Colorado Raptors	USA
FB	Rory van Vugt	Southland (NZ)	New Zealand

 

 

RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK

New York showed comparatively low turnover in the off-season with the loose forwards the hardest hit on the departures list. Matt Hughston and Ross Deacon moved to Old Glory and ATL respectively while John Quill appears to have retired, having already closed the curtains on his international career.

Luke Hume’s terrible knee injury in the Semi Final against San Diego precluded his involvement in 2020 while promising outside center Seimou Smith opted to step away from the sport for the time being. Gavan D’Amore-Morrison chose to focus on the Eagles Sevens program in Chula Vista.

RUNY were hit particularly hard by visa delays with all three Irish signings – Cormac Daly, Evan Mintern, and Jason Higgins – and Māori flanker Kara Pryor never arriving. Softening the blow somewhat were the late and unexpected signings of second row Charlie Hewitt and flanker Hanco Germishuys while Mathieu Bastareaud settled in the back row.

Versatile forward Alex MacDonald was injured in the preseason hit-out against the New York Barbarians. Other players who did not to appear this season include loosehead prop Brian McKellar, midfielder Jake Feury, and wingers Erik Tack and Derek Lipscomb. Utility back JP Aguirre was an unused replacement against Houston.

 

IN (9)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Alec McDonnell	Lindenwood	USA
HO/N8	Rob Irimescu	Penn State	USA / Romania
HO/TH	Jonas Petrakopoulos	Greerton Marist (NZ)	Netherlands / USA
TH	Will Burke	Buffalo RFC	USA
LO	Charlie Hewitt	Houston SaberCats	England
FL	Hanco Germishuys	Colorado Raptors	USA
CE	Juan Pablo Aguirre	Austin Gilgronis	Argentina / USA
CE/N8	Mathieu Bastareaud	Lyon (FR)	France
FB	Troy Lockyear	Cal Golden Bears	England / USA

 

OUT (12)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Chance Wenglewski**	Rugby ATL	USA
HO	Sean McNulty**	New England Free Jacks	England / Ireland / USA
HO/TH	Callum Mackintosh		Scotland
TH	Chris Sullivan	Retired	USA
LO	Myles McQuone	NYAC	USA
FL	Matt Hughston	Old Glory DC	USA
FL	John Quill		USA
N8	Ross Deacon	Rugby ATL	USA / Ireland
CE	Seimou Smith		USA
WI	Gavan D’Amore-Morrison	USA Sevens	USA
WI	Luke Hume		USA
WI	Marcus Satavu		USA

**return from loan

 

 

SAN DIEGO LEGION

The Legion had a smaller number in their core group than other teams, instead relying on local club stalwarts and USA Sevens extras to bolster their lineup when required. Some of those players appeared during the preseason but only three – Chris Turori, Malon Al-Jiboori, and Tai Enosa – were named in lineups during the season. Turori was an unused replacement against New York.

Key departures in the front row required replacement in the off-season as Kapeli Pifeleti and Paddy Ryan moved overseas while Pat Blair switched his focus back to sevens and Dino Waldren went to NOLA. Eagles pair Peter Malcolm and Paul Mullen shored things up while Jamie Dever was a late arrival from Houston.

Notably three high-profile signings did not join after being announced. Prop Chris Eves instead took up a spot with the Sunwolves in Super Rugby, while legal problems forced back row Steffon Armitage to sign for Biarritz in France. Second row Dominic Day decided to retire and pursue business opportunities.

All members of the senior squad took the field over the first five weeks. Extended squad members who did not include utility forward Sione Tu’ihalamaka, lock Tai Tuisamoa, flanker Derrick Broussard, centers Maceo Brown and William Wardlaw, and outside backs Marcus Tupuola and Faitala Talapusi.

World Cup flyer Mike Te’o split his duties between the Legion and the Eagles Sevens group in Chula Vista before departing for London Scottish. He would ultimately not make an appearance for the club as the Championship season was cancelled shortly after his arrival in England.

 

IN (14)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH/TH	Jamie Dever	Houston SaberCats	Ireland
HO	Peter Malcolm	Austin Gilgronis	USA
TH	Paul Mullen	Houston SaberCats	USA
LO	Ben Mitchell	Austin Gilgronis	England / Ireland
LO	Tai Tuisamoa*	Belmont Shore	USA
FL	Derrick Broussard*	OMBAC	Philippines
FL/N8	Malon Al-Jiboori	Colorado Raptors	USA
N8	Tevita Tameilau	Glasgow Warriors (UK)	USA
SH	Devereaux Ferris	Life West Gladiators	USA
FH	Luke Burton	Biarritz (FR)	Australia
FH/FB	Josh Thiel	Pacific Pride (CA)	Canada
CE	Ma’a Nonu	Blues (NZ)	New Zealand
CE	William Wardlaw*	Belmont Shore	Scotland
WI	Tira Patterson	Fijian Lutui (FI)	Fiji

*no regular season appearances in 2020

 

OUT (13)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
HO	Pat Blair	USA Sevens	USA
HO	Kapeli Pifeleti	Saracens (UK)	USA
TH	Paddy Ryan	Sanix Blues (JP)	Australia
TH	Dino Waldren	NOLA Gold	USA
FL	Alec Barton		USA
FL/N8	Drew Gaffney		USA
N8	Jordan Manihera	Retired	New Zealand
SH	Nick Boyer	Colorado Raptors	USA
CE	Nick Lupian		USA
WI/FB	Ryan James	Colorado Raptors	USA / Samoa
FB	Will Holder	USA Sevens	USA
FB	Conor Kearns		USA
FB	Kyle Rogers		USA

 

 

SEATTLE SEAWOLVES

The two-time defending champions kept nearly their entire senior roster intact during the off-season. Phil Mack moved up into a full-time coaching role while international trio Api Naikatini, Cam Polson, and Samu Manoa moved on. Of those only Naikatini continues to play.

Half of those in the ‘departed’ list remain just a phone call away as they suit up for the Seattle Saracens. Two such players were recently plucked back into active duty – Peter Tiberio and William Rasileka, though the latter did not make an appearance prior to the suspension. Eagles prop Olive Kilifi was absent from the roster due to injury.

Some heavyweight recruits were sounded out but injuries severely limited their impact. Ross Neal lasted only 40 minutes of the season opener against San Diego and Harry Davies did not play at all after coming off in the preseason match against Tasman. Seattle’s highest-profile signing Juan Manuel Leguizamón was left awaiting visa clearance. Peter Nelson’s intended arrival was foiled by the pandemic.

Extended squad members Joe Montgomery and Matt Brennan are the only other players on the roster who did not make an appearance on a match day roster.

 

IN (11)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Joe Montgomery*	Seattle Saracens	USA
LO	FP Pelser	Griquas (SA)	South Africa
FL	Andrew Durutalo	Ealing Trailfinders (UK)	USA
SH	Jope Motokana	Seattle Saracens	Fiji / USA
FH	Ryno Eksteen	Cheetahs (SA)	South Africa
CE	Matt Brennan*	Burnside (NZ)	USA
CE	Ross Neal	Wasps (UK)	England
WI	Siti Tamaivena	Westside Ronins	Fiji / USA
WI	Suli Tamaivena	Westside Ronins	Fiji / USA
WI/FB	David Busby	Ulster (UK)	Ireland
WI/FB	Harry Davies*	Bedford Blues (UK)	Wales

*no regular season appearances in 2020

 

OUT (13)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Olive Kilifi	Seattle Saracens	USA
HO	Dan Trierweiler	Seattle Saracens	USA
TH	Ryan Youngman	Seattle Saracens	Scotland / USA
LO	Api Naikatini	Old Glory DC	Fiji
LO/FL	Samu Manoa		USA
LO/FL	Cam Polson		Canada
FL	Cole van Harn	Seattle Saracens	USA
FL/N8	Aladdin Schirmer	Colorado Raptors	USA
SH	Phil Mack	Retired (coach)	Canada
CE	Roland Suniula	Austin Gilgronis	USA
WI	Sequoyah Burke-Combs	Seattle Saracens	USA
WI	Dion Crowder	Seattle Saracens	USA
FB	Moses Lalasava	Seattle Saracens	Fiji / USA

 

 

TORONTO ARROWS

The smallest number of incoming belongs to the Arrows. Like Seattle, many of their outgoing remain available in an emergency situation. World Cup selects Luke Campbell and Kainoa Lloyd notably did not find new professional homes this season, instead suiting up for James Bay in the BC Premier League.

All of Toronto’s overseas signings were in place prior to the season’s start, and all made significant contributions over the five weeks played. Promising local scrumhalf Dylan Young was a late addition to the extended roster during the preseason, while Canadian international Patrick Parfrey was yet to rejoin the squad due to academic commitments.

Injury prevented flanker Marcello Wainwright and center Spencer Jones from taking part. Other players on the roster who did not make an appearance this season are front rowers Jack McRogers and Mike Smith, and veteran flyhalf or fullback Shawn Windsor.

 

IN (8)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH	Richie Asiata	Canterbury (NZ)	New Zealand / Australia
TH	Tyler Rowland	Pacific Pride (CA)	Canada
FL/N8	Tomás de la Vega	CUBA (AR)	Argentina
N8	Manuel Diana	Old Christians (UR)	Uruguay
SH	Dylan Young*	Queen’s Gaels	Canada
FH	Tayler Adams	Eastwood (AU)	New Zealand
FH	Will Kelly	Dragons (UK)	Canada
CE	Ben LeSage	UBC Thunderbirds	Canada

*no regular season appearances in 2020

 

OUT (12)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
LH/TH	Tom Dolezel	London St. George’s	Canada
LH/TH	Doug Wooldridge	Castaway Wanderers	Canada
TH	Morgan Mitchell	Kamaishi Seawaves (JP)	New Zealand
FL	John Moonlight	Ajax Wanderers	Canada
N8	Luke Campbell	James Bay	Canada
N8	Jack Nay	Tonbridge (UK)	England
N8	Andrew Wilson	Oakville Crusaders	Canada
CE	Jamie Leveridge	Oakville Crusaders	Cayman Islands / Canada
WI	Kainoa Lloyd	James Bay	Canada
WI	Avery Oitomen	Cardiff Met (UK)	Canada
FB	Jack Evans	Swansea (UK)	Canada / Wales
FB	Theo Sauder	Canada Sevens	Canada

 

 

UTAH WARRIORS

The team for 2020 in Utah was ‘reloaded’ and they saw considerable change in the off-season. Notably their entire coaching staff was new while on the player personnel front there were numerous additions and fortunately all were cleared in time to take part in the opening weeks.

All five hookers who appeared in 2019 were no longer with the team, with Fiji World Cup select Veremalua Vugakoto taking over the starting role and Australia u20 cap Sama Malolo the last of the off-season signings to arrive. The back row also saw re-jigging with Thomas Tu’avao and Charlie Hola joining after the initial roster named in November.

Other signings post-November were Canadian international Robbie Povey, local product Dom Toluono, and USA u20 cap James Vaifale. All would see significant time, Povey as a flyhalf and fullback, Toluono and Vaifale at center and wing respectively after Blake Hohaia and Fetu’u Vainikolo were injured.

Second row Richard Stanford, flanker Jackson Kaka, and scrumhalf Joseph Nicholls were not on the final roster after being initially included. Former All Blacks flanker Brad Thomson was another who signed earlier in the year but instead went to Super Rugby with the Chiefs.

The Warriors had a large reservoir of local players in reserve who did not make a match day appearance. Prop Alex Tucci, flanker Lance Williams, and winger Tonata Lauti were injured. Other senior squad members who hadn’t yet seen game time were props Frikkie de Beer and Michael Payne, flanker Caleb Meyer, winger Nolan Tuamoheloa, and the versatile Kenny Scott.

 

IN (18)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
HO	Sama Malolo	Suntory Sungoliath (JP)	Australia
HO	Ricky Tu’ihalangingie	BYU	Tonga / USA
HO	Veremalua Vugakoto	Fijian Latui (FI)	Fiji
TH	Michael Payne*	BYU	USA
TH	Kalolo Tuiloma	Counties Manukau (NZ)	New Zealand / Samoa
FL	Caleb Meyer*	NOLA Gold	USA
FL	Thomas Tu’avao	Utah Misfits	England / USA
FL	Bailey Wilson	Utah Valley	Australia / Scotland / USA
N8	Jurie van Vuuren	Eastern Province (SA)	South Africa
N8	Charlie Hola	Tempe Old Devils	USA / Tonga
SH	Michael Baska	NOLA Gold	USA
SH	Dwayne Polataivao	Doncaster Knights (UK)	Samoa
FH	Hagen Schulte	CSM Bucuresti (RO)	Germany
FH/FB	Robbie Povey	Birmingham Moseley (UK)	Canada
CE	Tyler Fisher	West Harbour (AU)	South Africa
CE	Blake Hohaia	Northland (NZ)	New Zealand
CE	Dom Toluono	Utah Lions	USA / Samoa
WI	James Vaifale	Tempe Old Devils	USA / Samoa

*no regular season appearances in 2020

 

OUT (18)

POS	NAME	TEAM	ELIGIBILITY
HO	Blake Burdette	Retired	USA
HO	Logan Daniels		New Zealand
HO	Jeremy Leber		Australia / USA
HO	Metai Tu’imoala		USA / Samoa
HO	Alex Vorster		USA
FL	Arthur Bergo	Corinthians (BR)	Brazil
FL	Tom Kacor	Chicago Lions	USA
FL	Jackson Kaka		USA
N8	Les Soloai		New Zealand / USA
SH	Johnny Ika	Hawke’s Bay (NZ)	Tonga
SH	Ian Luciano	Mystic River	Australia / USA
SH	Joseph Nicholls		Zimbabwe / USA
FH	Josh Reeves	Corinthians (BR)	Brazil
FH/FB	James Semple	Retired	New Zealand
CE/FH	Tim O’Malley	NEC Green Rockets (JP)	New Zealand
CE	Iniki Fa’amausili		USA
WI/CE	Jeremy Misailegalu	Rugby ATL	USA
WI	Josh Anderson		USA
FB	Don Pati		USA