The American Raptors’ roster is growing by two. The Glendale, Colorado side have added a prop and a winger from Colombia. Aldair Marquez and Arley Urrutia join the American Raptors for 2023 Super Rugby Americas. The competition begins this coming Friday.
Aldair Marquez is a tight head prop. He comes from Kaamash Rugby Club in Colombia’s fourth largest city, Barranquilla. Arley Urrutia plays wing or fullback, but mostly in the former position. He is from Fénix Rugby in Colombia’s second largest city Medellín.
Marquez and Urrutia were both involved in Colombia’s most recent roster. They started in the most recent test match, Colombia’s home match against Brazil in the 2022 Tri Nations in Barranquilla. They also both started against Paraguay with Urrutia scoring for Los Tucanes.
The addition of the Colombian players is welcome news for the American Raptors. The team is short in both positions. New Argentine arrival Lucas González Amorosino is considered a fly half despite his many caps in the back-three.
The arrival of Marquez and Urrutia at the Glendale, Colorado side follows confirmation that Os Cobras have secured Colombians Diver Ceballos and Alain Altahona for Super Rugby Americas. Ceballos is arguably Colombia’s second best player behind second-rower Andrés Zafra. He plays for Brive in France’s elite.