MLR 2022 Preview – Toronto Arrows

No team in Major League Rugby can claim to have endured what the Toronto Arrows have gone through over the past two seasons. Zero games played on their side of the border and an entire season spent camped out in Atlanta, away from friends, family, significant others. They’ll wait a little longer before they return to Toronto with an historic ‘home’ match set to be played at Rugby Canada’s Starlight Stadium in BC first, but the countdown is on for what will be a memorable occasion on April 2nd.

With a new home ground at York Lions Stadium, a new Head Coach, and several new players, there are a number of talking points but the main question is clear. Can Toronto find that winning feeling again? The answer to last season’s query of a season on the road was a clear no. For Arrows fans, the answer this year must be yes. Below we take a look at how their roster has changed from last year to now.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

 

TEAM HISTORY

YEAR	SEASON	RANK	FINALS
2019	11-5	3 of 9	0-1
2020	4-1	2 of 12	–
2021	5-11	10 of 12	–

The team’s roots run back to the tremendously successful Ontario Blues program in the Canadian Rugby Championship. Next it was an exhibition campaign as the Ontario Arrows, and eventually the inevitable decision was made to make the jump to professionalism.

A maiden MLR run in 2019 included a seven-game winning streak in the second half of the season to secure their place in the Semi Final. Eventual champions Seattle ousted them, but the team took much from the experience and looked like potential champions before the pandemic brought the 2020 season to a screeching halt.

Fans might similarly be wondering ‘what if’ about 2021 given their results did not match the quality of talent on paper. There were fleeting glimpses against New York and Seattle, but the toll was too great and there were clear signs of mental fatigue in the second half of the season.

 

COACHING STAFF

Long-time coach Chris Silverthorn has moved into a scouting and development role and it’s Peter Smith who is promoted, at 32 the youngest Head Coach in MLR. Former Chile prop Francisco Deformes arrives as Forwards Coach with the scrum his specialty, while Cory Hector works with the backs and Rodin Lozada heads up the analysis department.

There are also two notables employed as consultants. Former Wales and Lions coach Rob Howley continues his role while Francois Ratier has been added. The latter has been Head Coach of both Canada’s Senior Women’s and Men’s teams, notably leading the Women to the 2014 World Cup Final.

 

FRONT ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Rob Brouwer Alexandre Janlin Cole Keith Pat Lynott	LH Prop	Rob Brouwer Lolani Faleiva Cole Keith
Jack McRogers Andrew Quattrin Joe Tomlinson	Hooker	Sam Mace Jack McRogers Andrew Quattrin
Gastón Cortes Marc-Antoine Ouellet Tyler Rowland	TH Prop	Marc-Antoine Ouellet Tyler Rowland Isaac Salmon Bryce Worden

A pair of New Zealanders bolster the front row this year with Isaac Salmon already checked in. Sione Fa’alelei was due to arrive from Australia but opted out, with the giant Lolani Faleiva his replacement due to arrive from Hawke’s Bay. Bryce Worden was picked up in the Collegiate Draft and covers both tighthead and loosehead prop. Sam Mace takes the roster spot of Joe Tomlinson, who filled in briefly for a now-retired Steven Ng at the end of last season.

Otherwise it’s the familiar faces with Cole Keith, Andrew Quattrin, and Tyler Rowland last year’s starters. Rob Brouwer is the oldest man in the league but seems to still have some petrol left in the tank though it’s unlikely he’ll travel much if at all.

Pat Lynott has left for San Diego and Alexandre Janlin returned to France. Gastón Cortes didn’t quite have the impact on the pitch that was hoped but would still have helped the likes of Keith, Rowland, and Marc-Antoine Ouellet at training.

 

SECOND ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Paul Ciulini Kolby Francis Mike Sheppard Adrian Wadden	Lock	Kyle Baillie Paul Ciulini Mike Sheppard Adrian Wadden

One of Toronto’s biggest signings is at lock. Kolby Francis, a promising lock or No8, has opted to step away from rugby to focus on a firefighting career. In his place comes Kyle Baillie, captain of NOLA Gold for the past two seasons. He has had his share or injury struggles but at his best the 34-test veteran is a top class player who can also slot into the back row.

 

BACK ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Tomás de la Vega Mason Flesch Ollie Nott Lucas Rumball Marcello Wainwright	Flanker	Tomás de la Vega Mason Flesch Ollie Nott James O’Neill Lucas Rumball Marcello Wainwright
Manuel Diana Ronan Foley Siaki Vikilani	No8	Ronan Foley Siaki Vikilani Taitusi Vikilani

The Arrows are spoiled for choice in the back row. Manuel Diana has returned to Uruguay and his enormous work rate at No8 will be missed, but instead of looking for a like-for-like replacement there are different options available this season. The Vikilani brothers – Siaki and Taitusi – are both powerhouse ball carriers while Ireland u20 cap Ronan Foley arrived late last season and looks a steady all-rounder.

Ollie Nott will have a full season to press his case for a test recall as a flanker, but there is also James O’Neill to watch for. The latter has captained Canada’s u20 side and was initially drafted by LA before being traded to the Arrows. Mason Flesch offers cover at lock if needed and Marcello Wainwright is fit again after missing much of last season with injury.

 

HALFBACKS

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Ross Braude Andrew Ferguson Jason Higgins	Scrumhalf	Ross Braude Cole Brown Andrew Ferguson
Tayler Adams Will Kelly Sam Malcolm	Flyhalf	Will Kelly Sam Malcolm Andrew Norton

Out goes Jason Higgins to San Diego, and Tayler Adams back to New Zealand. Canada u20 select Cole Brown comes in as the third scrumhalf while Andrew Norton, a South African capped by Spain, offers utility value at flyhalf, center, or fullback.

The most significant change here is really the availability of Sam Malcolm for the entire season. One of MLR’s best goal-kickers, the New Zealander is a classy operator in the No10 shirt and a brave defender for his size. Will Kelly continues to develop as an alternative.

 

MIDFIELD

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Guiseppe du Toit Spencer Jones Ben LeSage Mitch Richardson	Center	Guiseppe du Toit Spencer Jones Mitch Richardson Ueta Tufuga

Co-captain Ben LeSage has packed his bags for LA, a significant loss to be sure. His replacement is Ueta Tufuga, a strongly-built New Zealander who can play either center position. He looks set to join Spencer Jones as the first choice pairing. Guiseppe du Toit and Mitch Richardson are now established MLR veterans who can get the job done when rotation is called for.

 

OUTSIDE BACKS

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Kobe Faust Leandro Leivas Gastón Mieres Manuel Montero Johnny Sheridan	Wing	Kobe Faust Brandan Ferguson Gastón Mieres Dennon Robinson-Bartlett Johnny Sheridan
Patrick Parfrey Joaquín Tuculet	Fullback	Matthew Hood Conor McCann Mitch Voralek

Leandro Leivas, Manuel Montero, Joaquín Tuculet, Patrick Parfrey. Not the kinds of names Arrows fans wanted to see on the outgoing list. Leivas has turned his focus to the sport of polo, while Montero and Tuculet have returned to Argentina. Parfrey is continuing his medical studies in St. John’s.

The replacements do not have the same name recognition, that much is clear. Matthew Hood arrives from the Australia Sevens program and plays both wing and fullback, with New Zealand provincial rep Dennon Robinson-Barlett covering both center and wing. Brandan Ferguson is a local product along with utility back Mitch Voralek.

Conor McCann is a late addition to the squad and could be a surprise choice in the starting lineup. Once considered one of Canada’s brightest prospects, the former Clermont academy back dropped out of elite level rugby for several years before only recently putting his hand up again. McCann is a goal kicker and can play flyhalf, center, and fullback.

 

2022 OUTLOOK

Despite the big name departures, the Arrows have somewhat quietly put together another quality roster with depth across the board. There is real competition for spots at several positions and they will be hopeful that the likes of Baillie, O’Neill, and the Vikilani brothers can bring new energy to the squad.

Malcolm’s full-time return will be a big psychological boost and incumbent skipper Lucas Rumball remains one of the better breakdown operators in MLR. Questions will need to be answered in the backline – can Tufuga, Hood, and Robinson-Bartlett fill the boots of their predecessors?

Home field advantage can’t be understated for the Arrows. They will be very difficult to turn over on Canadian soil and on that basis alone they should be considered playoff contenders. Going from worst to first in the East seems a bit of an ask given the strength of last year’s top teams, but Toronto fans should have plenty of reasons to cheer in the months ahead.