Samoa

Pele Cowley will be returning to Austin for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The Manu Samoa scrumhalf was one of three internationals who arrived just one game before the campaign was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His MLR debut was a memorable one. Cowley played all 80 minutes …

Martini Talapusi has signed a one-year extension with Rugby ATL through the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 25-year-old utility back is the ninth player to re-sign for the club during the off-season and the first since the team’s new logo was unveiled earlier this month. Born in New Zealand …

Rugby United New York have announced the signing of Samoan international Sakaria ‘Zak’ Taulafo for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 37-year-old prop joins from the Colorado Raptors following their withdrawal from the league. Taulafo signed for the Raptors after spending a decade as a professional in Europe and …

Four Major League Rugby players have been named in the Counties Manukau training squad for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup season. New Zealand’s provincial competition is to begin on September 11 following the completion of Super Rugby Aotearoa. Colorado Raptors eightman Sam Slade has returned to his club side Pukekohe …

New England Free Jacks prop Donald Brighouse has been named in the Taranaki Bulls squad for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup. The 27-year-old Wellington native has most recently been playing for New Plymouth Old Boys since the Major League Rugby season was suspended. Brighouse signed for the the Free Jacks …

The Dallas Jackals have announced the signing of Samoan second row Theo McFarland for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Standing 6’6″ (1.98m), the 24-year-old is the second lock confirmed by the club following Kody O’Neil and adds a considerable lineout presence. McFarland’s aerial prowess is reflected by his athletic …

The idea of a Major League Rugby Sevens tournament continues to make the rounds. A short time ago we posted Jonny Craenen’s fantasy kit designs and the most recent edition of the Rugby Wrap-Up featured a detailed discussion of what the concept might look like. We’re taking it one further …

Old Glory DC have re-signed powerhouse No8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old is the second returning player confirmed by the club following co-captain and fellow international Thretton Palamo, announced earlier this week. Fa’anana-Schultz will enter his third MLR campaign with considerable momentum. After joining …

The Dallas Jackals have announced the signing of outside back Ryan James from the Colorado Raptors. He is the 6th player from the withdrawn Glendale franchise to join the expansion side ahead of their inaugural Major League Rugby campaign. James, who turns 21 in September, was in his second stint …

World Rugby has confirmed the qualification  model for Rugby World Cup 2023. The France-hosted tournament will be a 20-team competition, operating on the same model as that of Japan 2019. As was the case in RWC 2019, RWC 2023 has eight qualifying slots. The eight successful teams will join the …