The Dallas Jackals have signed Martín Elías. The recruitment sees a leading Argentine-based fly half now on his way to play in Major League Rugby (MLR) 2023. Elías joins after previously having played for Los Ceibos and Los Jaguares XV in Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR).
Aged 26, Elías moves at his prime. He leaves behind his native Atlético de Rosario club to become the sixth Argentine to sign for the Dallas Jackals for MLR 2023. The heavy Argentine recruitment is a strong indication that Dallas will be competitive in the upcoming season.
Elías is a similar fly half to Puma Domingo Miotti. Both have represented their country, with Elías having worn the colors of the Argentina XV in non-capped internationals. Miotti has played test rugby and now plays in the United Rugby Championship (URC) in Scotland.
Elías has excellent vision. He is able to create space for support runners. He also has a very good passing a kicking game. His credentials also include his goal-kicking and his high work-rate. He is a dream signing for Dallas and is likely to flourish in MLR.
Elías is not the only player from Atlético del Rosario joining the Dallas Jackals. Winger Tomás Malanos will also be playing his rugby for the North Central Texas MLR team. Also joining from Rosario is scrum-half Pedro Imhoff. He is the brother of current Puma Juan Imhoff, the only player to score a hat-trick against South Africa.
Pedro Imhoff joins the Dallas Jackals from Duendes. Flanker Jerónimo Gómez Vara joins from Atlético del Rosario while front-rower Joaquín Horcada is joining the Jackals from GER. Former Pumas hooker Tomás Baravalle joins from Italian URC side Benetton.
Finally, recruitment from within MLR has seen the Dallas Jackals signing two Argentines. Former Pumas tight head Juan Pablo Zeiss and utility outside back Marcos Moroni are also now Dallas players. Zeiss is a former teammate of Elías for Los Ceibos.