photo credit: Brian Jackson / LA Giltinis

Nick Boyer heads to Houston following LA trade

Nick Boyer’s stay with the LA Giltinis has been short-lived. The Sacramento native has departed the expansion side for Houston. He is the second off-season LA signing traded without playing a game for the club following Mika Kruse, who has now joined the Utah Warriors.

LA General Manager Adam Freier released a statement regarding the two moves:

“It’s never easy getting the right balance of a roster in professional sport with salary caps. The way the players have conducted themselves since the club’s decision has been first class. They are both incredibly gifted Rugby players and people. We wish Nick and Mika the very best as they continue to pursue their ambitions in the MLR and on the international stage.”

A dual international having represented the Eagles at both 7s and XVs, Boyer should make his SaberCats against the San Diego Legion next Saturday. Capable of playing scrumhalf or wing, it’s in the No9 shirt where he will likely feature as club co-captain De Wet Roos recovers from injury.

Houston are the third Major League Rugby home for Boyer, not including LA. The 27-year-old played the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Legion before re-joining the Colorado Raptors in 2020. He had previously played for the Raptors under the Glendale banner prior to MLR’s inaugural season.

Meanwhile the SaberCats have called up Will Crawford, also 27, from their Rugby HTX development squad. Primarily a No8, he was part of NOLA’s extended squad in 2018 and featured in a preseason match against Houston in March of that year. Crawford has represented the USA South Panthers and played collegiate rugby for the University of Arkansas and Louisiana Tech.

About Americas Rugby News

Formally created in June 2015, this website's goal is to increase media exposure of the Tier 2 rugby nations, and create a hub with a focus on the stories of rugby in the Americas - North, Central and South.

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