New Zealand

The 2023 Six Nations sees changes in player eligibility to that from prior years. World Rugby’s eligibility law changes entitle eligible players to represent a second country following a three-year stand-down period from their last binding representative appearance for their first country. The change of nationality saw a variety of players …

The Chicago Hounds have added some youth to their front row stocks. Mika Felix has signed on for the inaugural campaign. The 21-year-old prop is born and raised in New Zealand where he played for Sydenham in Christchurch. He qualifies for the USA through his American father. Felix was on …

The New England Free Jacks have added a third scrumhalf to their roster for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Kieran McClea has arrived from Otago, joining incumbent starter John Poland and former USA Falcons rep Holden Yungert on the senior squad this year. McClea has been a standout with …

Former Pumas sevens captain Santiago Álvarez has been recalled to Argentina’s roster for the next two rounds of the World Sevens series. The 28-year-old has been absent for the best part of a year with an ACL injury to his right knee. Álvarez is one of 14 players named to …

The Seattle Seawolves have signed blindside flanker Charles Elton for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. An experienced provincial player from New Zealand, he spent the past year suiting up for Eastern Suburbs in Australia’s Shute Shield. Elton has been a long-time captain of the Harbour Hawks, playing over 100 …

The Houston SaberCats have unveiled a streamlined squad of 33 senior players for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. It sees a significant amount of continuity from this past year but there are also some significant new additions in the pack and out wide. Both of last season’s first choice …

The New England Free Jacks have signed 23-year-old hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. He arrives from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, having captained his country at the 2019 World Rugby u20 Championship. Kereru-Symes broke into the senior Magpies squad as a teenager during the 2018 …

Jack Heighton will play a second season in New York. The 23-year-old flyhalf has committed to the 2023 Major League Rugby season, having spent recent months with North Harbour in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship. Heighton was a success in his first MLR campaign, initially starting at fullback but then …

The Houston SaberCats have confirmed two more recruits from New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship. Outside backs Drew Wild and Vereniki Tikoisolomone follow props Rob Cobb, Morgan Mitchell and Fatongia Paea to Texas for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. Wild is just 22 years old but already has four seasons …

Morgan Mitchell is headed back to Major League Rugby, but not to the Toronto Arrows. The fan favorite is one of three props from New Zealand who have signed on the with the Houston SaberCats, along with Rob Cobb and Fatongia Paea. A tighthead specialist, Mitchell starred with the Arrows …