The Houston SaberCats have signed a new forward for the remainder of the 2020 Major League Rugby season. Van Stewart has arrived from Sydney, Australia, where he has been playing for Manly Marlins in the Shute Shield. He could debut in Sunday’s match against Rugby United New York.
Stewart was born in raised in Australia but qualifies for the USA through his mother. Equally comfortable at lock or flanker, the 22-year-old broke into Manly’s 1st grade side this past season and featured alongside current Free Jacks fullback Beaudein Waaka.
Also currently training with Houston is US-eligible prop Falaniko Faoagali. The young tighthead toured with the Melbourne Kangaroos at under-19 level last season and played his club rugby for Northern Panthers. He is the younger brother of current SaberCats back row Mathew Faoagali.