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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 and the Steelers, who he played for in 2019 before making the move to MLR. The former New Zealand u20 rep has also played for Auckland and the Manawatu Turbos at provincial level.
Three players are attached to the Manurewa club. Potu Leavasa and Pele Cowley are named having suited up for the Austin Gilgronis this season. It would be a Mitre 10 debut for Samoa ‘A’ cap Leavasa, while full Samoa international Cowley last played for Counties in 2015. He played for Waikato in 2016 and 2017.
Also set for a Mitre 10 return is Old Glory DC flyhalf Jason Robertson. He lined up with the Bay of Plenty Steamers in each of 2018 and 2019. Robertson’s senior provincial debut was in 2016 with Waikato.
Donald Brighouse has been named in the Taranaki Bulls squad. Leavasa has already confirmed he will not be returning to Austin while it’s not yet clear if any of the others will be back in MLR for the 2021 season. Northland hooker Jordan Olsen, who played for Canada in the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship, has turned down offers from MLR clubs due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
