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Rugby New York have signed former New Zealand u20 lock Hamish Dalzell for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. At the same time the club has retained USA u20 scrumhalf Connor Buckley and Canadian international outside back Andrew Coe.
Dalzell, 26, was a starter for Auckland during the recent National Provincial Championship, and made his Super Rugby debut with the Crusaders earlier this year. He began his senior career with Canterbury in 2016 and had a short spell with Japan Top League side Panasonic Wild Knights in 2020.
A formidable physical presence who stands 6’7″ (2.01m) and tips the scales at 260lbs (119kg), Dalzell is a direct replacement for the departed Will Tucker. The latter has signed a Super Rugby deal with the Highlanders, though brother Brad will play for New York in 2023 after being acquired from Seattle.
Buckley returns for a third MLR campaign having set a career high for appearances in 2022. The 23-year-old played 13 games with 8 starts, as New York chose to rotate the No9 shirt between Buckley, Conor McManus, and now-retired Andy Ellis.
Coe joined the club after several seasons with the Canada Sevens program. He proved an inspired addition, playing 17 games with 15 starts while scoring 6 tries. The 26-year-old can play across the back three. He suited up in the No11 shirt for June’s Championship Final win over Seattle.
