Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
One former Ironworker has already found a new home. Dylan Fawsitt has signed on with the Hounds for the 2024 campaign. The incumbent Eagles No2 joins his third Major League Rugby side, having previously suited up for the Glendale Raptors in 2018 before spending the past five years with New York.
Evidently Fawsitt was not currently under contract with the Ironworkers, though there was never any doubt which team he would have played for had New York continued. As such he is exempt from Wednesday’s dispersal draft though his contract will fall under the salary cap.
Chicago now have three quality hooker options with Fawsitt joining South African arrival Janus Venter and Uruguay international Guillermo Pujadas. Two other young domestic options, Sam Faoagali and Gabe Mahu’inga, are currently on trial with the academy after departing Utah and NOLA respectively.
Faoagali joined the Warriors towards the end of the 2023 season after appearing with the USA Hawks. Mahu’inga was selected in the 2023 Collegiate Draft and played for the NOLA Miners in the American Rugby Premiership but will not be suiting up with the Gold in 2024.
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NOLA have secured Jordan Jackson-Hope for another year. The playmaker was already signed on for 2024 but will now wear Gold through the 2025 campaign. Jackson-Hope was a standout for the team in his first MLR season, playing mostly at inside center but also filling in occasionally at flyhalf. He could be paired with either JP du Plessis or new arrival Domingo Saavedra this coming season.
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Sam Reimer is returning to MLR. After playing 5 games for the Arrows in 2022, the Canada u20 select spent the past year playing in BC with the Pacific Pride and New Zealand with New Plymouth Old Boys. The 21-year-old will be the second Canadian scrumhalf to have played for Utah following Fraser Hurst, who left professional rugby after just one season in 2021.
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MLR will be using new balls this coming year. After using Ram Rugby in the first two seasons, Rhino had been the ball supplier to the league since 2020. As of 2024 MLR will switch to Gilbert, the world’s best-known rugby ball brand. Gilbert is the official supplier of the Rugby World Cup.
