Raptors name traveling squad for South American trip

American Raptors coach Sarah Chobot has confirmed a 31-man traveling squad for the first South American leg of their Super Rugby Americas campaign. The team will first stop in Florida to scrimmage against Rugby ATL and the Chicago Hounds, then they will play four matches between February 18 and March 12 starting in Chile and ending in Paraguay.

Three players who were not on the original 46-player extended roster have been added. Former Argentina outside back Lucas González Amorosino has been selected as a flyhalf, while ex-Seawolves and USA age-grade flanker Tommy Clark has also joined. Veteran front rower Chris Schade notably will travel with the squad despite also being contracted to the NOLA Gold.

In all there are 18 players with Major League Rugby experience on the traveling roster, while Pumas internationals González Amorosino, Martin Landajo, and Ramiro Moyano all played professionally in Europe. Former Toronto Arrows No8 Siaki Vikilani is the only Canadian in the squad.

Notable absentees include USA Falcons lock Christian Ostberg and former High School All-American back row Sosefo Mailangi. The five Colombian internationals due to join the team are also missing from the list but could reinforce the squad once they arrive in South America.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

PROP
Juan Echeverría (Uruguay)
Adagio Lopeti
Ma’ake Muti
Sebastián Otero (Chile)
Payton Telea-Ilalio (USA u20)

HOOKER
Sione Finefeuiaki
Diego Fortuny (Argentina)
Chris Schade

SECOND ROW
Shawn Clark
Max Dacey (USA u20)
Tavius Sykora-Matthess (USA u23)

SECOND/BACK ROW
Will Crawford
Mikey Grandy

BACK ROW
Tommy Clark (USA u20)
Diego Magno (Uruguay)
Ronan Murphy (USA Falcons)
Mo Vainikolo
Siaki Vikilani (Canada)

SCRUMHALF
Martín Landajo (Argentina)
Ethan McVeigh (USA Falcons)

FLYHALF
Lucas González Amorosino (Argentina)
Line Latu (USA Falcons)
Patrick Madden (USA Falcons)

CENTER
Watson Filikitonga
Dom Iacovino (USA Falcons)
Cassh Maluia
Aki Pulu

OUTSIDE BACKS
Ryan James (USA Eagles)
Ramiro Moyano (Argentina)
Nolan Saraceni
Seimou Smith