MLR Off-Season Update – Old Glory DC

Old Glory are turning the page on a disappointing 2022 campaign, and have made some significant changes to the organization. Marcelo Blanco from Argentina has come in as GM while the new Head Coach is Josh Syms from New Zealand.

Also arriving from New Zealand is World Sevens star Kurt Baker, who is installed as a player-coach. On the field he looks to be replacing Renata Roberts-Te Nana. His status remains unclear but DC’s import limits suggest there isn’t room for both on the roster.

The Argentine influence is reflected in four signings, the most notable being former Pumas flyhalf Joaquín ‘Tito’ Díaz Bonilla. Former Argentina XV captain Lautaro Bavaro has also joined, along with a second flanker in Alejo Daireaux. US-eligible midfielder Fermín Martínez is the fourth.

Five players were selected in the Collegiate Draft, with a sixth – KoiKoi Nelligan – acquired after the fact from San Diego. Old Glory opted not to participate in the Dispersal Draft, having evidently completed their recruitment though a few spots are yet to be revealed publicly.

Questions linger at prop. Quentin Newcomer has been signed from New England while Cali Martinez and Alex Balladares were picked up in the draft. There has been no update on four of last year’s squad – Jake Ilnicki, Jack Carroll, Will Vakalahi, and Dante Lopresti.

A third scrumhalf has yet to be named. Is Danny Thomas returning? Similarly there is no indication either way on last year’s draft picks LJ Koi-Larbi or Palema Roberts, or local winger Jack Russell. Two who have yet to be announced but are returning are second row David Beach and flanker Brady Daniel.

Re-signed: Jack Iscaro (LH), Facundo Gattas (HO), Kyle Stewart (TH), Api Naikatini (LO), Tevita Naqali (LO), Stan South (LO), Cory Daniel (FL), Fintan Coleman (FL/N8), Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (N8), John LeFevre (SH), Danny Tusitala (SH), Mike Dabulas (FH/FB), Thretton Palamo (CE), William Talataina (CE), Doug Fraser (CE/WI), Junior Sa’u (CE/WI), Peni Lasaqa (WI), John Rizzo (WI), Owen Sheehy (FB)

Collegiate Draft: Alex Balladares (LH, Queen’s Charlotte), Cali Martinez (PR, UBC), Jack Manzo (HO, Cal Berkeley), KoiKoi Nelligan (HO/FL, Army), Collin Grosse (FL, Army), Mike Weir (FH, Dartmouth)

New Signings: Nic Souchon (HO, Bay of Plenty, NZ), Quentin Newcomer (PR, New England Free Jacks), Lautaro Bavaro (FL, Hindú, AR), Alejo Daireaux (FL, SIC, AR), Gradyn Bowd (FH, Castaway Wanderers), Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (FH, Sharks, SA), Fermín Martínez (CE, Belgrano, AR), Kurt Baker (WI/FB, All Blacks 7s, NZ)

Departures: Rob Irimescu (HO), Felix Kalapu (LO/FL, Western Force, AU), Dom Bailey (FL), Dacoda Worth (FL, Chicago Hounds), Luke Campbell (FL/N8, retired), Josh Brown (N8, retired), Rohan Saifoloi (FH), Renata Roberts-Te Nana (WI/FB)