Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The most welcome news of the off-season for San Diego was confirmation of their move to a new home at Snapdragon Stadium. It’s an enormous step up from their temporary stay at the Sports Deck, and will be accompanied by a return to the traditional black, red, and white playing strips.
On the staffing side there is the notable addition of Alex Corbisiero as Scrum Coach, though the former Lions international will not have Paddy Ryan – Australian edition – to work with. Ryan has instead opted to take up a new contract in Japan, while his US Eagles namesake had already departed for Chicago.
There are huge changes up front for the Legion with only a half-dozen returning forwards at this stage. It’s all-change at hooker, there are two new locks, and four loose forward additions. A new tighthead recruit will be needed to accompany Nathan Sylvia, who moves across from loosehead this season.
San Diego will once again feature a star-studded back division with Ma’a Nonu back for another campaign. Luke Burton and Marcel Brache make the jump from LA, with Mikey Te’o returning from Utah. Filimoni Waqainabete is a lesser-known name who could make a big impact out wide.
The most recent announcements are the returns of second row Jale Railala and midfielder Tiaan Loots, and the addition of relative unknown Hawai’i-based back row Malakai Latu. It remains to be seen if former Eagles tighthead Chris Baumann is summoned to fill the unexpected front row gap.
Returning: Nathan Sylvia (PR), Ben Grant (LO), Jale Railala (LO), Dan Pryor (FL), Chris Turori (FL), Tevita Tameilau (N8), Nate Augspurger (SH), Jason Higgins (SH), Josh Henderson (FH), Will Hooley (FH), Tiaan Loots (CE), Thomas Morani (CE), Ma’a Nonu (CE), Tomas Aoake (WI), Ryan Matyas (WI), Matías Freyre (FB)
Collegiate Draft: Oliver Kane (TH, USD)
Dispersal Draft: Faka’osi Pifeleti (LH, Austin Gilgronis), Djustice Sears-Duru (LH, LA Giltinis), Christian Poidevin (FL, LA Giltinis)
New Signings: Shilo Klein (HO, Canterbury, NZ), Sama Malolo (HO, Southern Districts, AU), Sean McNulty (HO, Seattle Seawolves), Fred Apulu (TH, LA Giltinis), Tom Franklin (LO, Kobelco Steelers, JP), Isaac Ross (LO, Austin Gilgronis), Tupou Afungia (FL, Hawke’s Bay, NZ), Blair Cowan (FL, Tokyo Black Rams, JP), Malakai Latu (FL, Hawai’i Marist), Finn Kearns (FL/N8, Randwick, AU), Richard Judd (SH, Wellington, NZ), Luke Burton (FH/CE, LA Giltinis), Alex Horan (FH/CE, U of Queensland, AU), Filimoni Waqainabete (CE/WI, Naitasiri, FI), Mikey Te’o (WI/FB, Utah Warriors), Marcel Brache (FB, Austin Gilgronis)
Departures: Pat Lynott (LH/HO), Joe Walsh (LH), James Hilterbrand (HO), Peter Malcolm (HO, Seattle Seawolves), Matt Moulds (HO), Chris Schade (HO, NOLA Gold), Paddy Ryan (TH, Chicago Hounds), Hencus van Wyk (TH, Cheetahs, SA), Jonah Dietenberger (LO, Utah Warriors), Ben Mitchell (LO, Seattle Seawolves), Chris Robshaw (FL, retired), Michael Smith (FL), Rohan O’Regan (FL/N8), Nico Gilli (SH), Patrick Madden (FH, American Raptors), Dom Iacovino (CE, American Raptors), Josh Thiel (CE, Canada Sevens), Bjorn Basson (WI, Limoges, FR), Kainoa Lloyd (WI), Joe Pietersen (FB/FH)
