U.S. Sevens star heads to England

By Brendan Kyle Jure
Staff Writer

Submitted Photo

WEST EALING, U.K. – U.S. Sevens star, Andrew Durutalo has been signed by English side Ealing Traifinders.

“It’s official! Looking forward to the challenges ahead,” said Durutalo on his Twitter feed.

The Trailfinders are based in West Ealing, London and play in the Greene King IPA Championship. Coming third overall this season, they will be looking for an explosive punch to get them to the Premiership in the coming seasons.

Durutalo and the nine players coming in for their next campaign may be what they are looking for.

Despite being known for sevens, the New Yorker is no stranger to the professional 15’s set up. The former U19 and U21 Fiji captain has played 15 senior games for the U.S. Eagles starting in 2012 against Canada. He also played in three games during the 2015 World Cup.

He also had a 12-game stint with the Sunwolves in the Super 15. Managing to only score one try but was a very consistent prescience, Durutalo will be looking to make his name in European households and gear up for the 209 World Cup.

“I’ve always wanted to experience rugby in the U.K. after I finished playing Super Rugby and I’m very humbled and privileged to have this opportunity,” said Durutalo in an Ealing Trailfinders media release on May 18.

According to the media release, he will be expected to play anywhere in the back three, where Ealing will be counting on his explosive and physical style of play.

“Andrew will add to our current options and brings physicality to the back row,” said Director of Rugby Ben Ward.

Canada names team for International Women’s Rugby Series

by Brendan Kyle Jure
Staff Writer

LANGFORD – Canada Rugby has announced a 28-player roster for a New Zealand game on June 9 in preparation for the World Cup. The trip to the Pacific nation is part of the International Women’s Rugby Series.

The team will also face England (June 13) and Australia (June 17) next month. All three games will played in New Zealand.

“It’s important to play the top teams before we go to the women’s World Cup,” said Francois Ratier, head coach of Canada. “New Zealand are number one in the world and in our World Cup pool while England are the reigning World Champions and Australia will show they deserve a better ranking than where they are now.”

Canada is currently ranked No. 3 in the world and are fresh after winning the two-game Can-Am series 39-5 and 37-10 against the U.S.

Information regarding kick-off times will be released in the coming weeks.

Canada’s Senior Women’s Roster for New Zealand Tour (Name, club, hometown):

Elissa Alarie, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC/Westshore RFC (Trois Rivieres, QC)
Emily Belchos, Westshore RFC (Innisfil, ON)
Tyson Beukeboom, Aurora Barbarians/Cowichan RFC (Uxbridge, ON?)
Latoya Blackwood, Westshore RFC (Montreal, QC)
Andrea Burk, Capilano RFC (North Vancouver, BC)
Olivia DeMerchant, Woodstock Wildmen/Castaway Wanderers (Mapledale, NB)
Jacey Grusnick, Aurora Barbarians (Alliston, ON)
Chelsea Guthrie, Stratchona Druids (Edmonton, AB)
Magali Harvey, Club de Rugby de Quebec (Quebec City, QC)
Lori Josephson, Aurora Barbarians (Beaverton, ON)
Brittany Kassil, Guelph Redcoats (Guelph, ON)
Mary Jane Kirby, Highland Fergus Rugby Club (Brampton, ON)
Kayla Mack, Saskatoon Wild Oats (Saskatoon, SK)
Carolyn McEwen, Burnaby (Vancouver, BC)
DaLeaka Menin, Calgary Hornets (Vulcan, AB)
Barbara Mervin, Westshore RFC (Peterborough, ON)
Brianna Miller, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC/Westshore RFC (Pointe-Claire, QC)
Chelsey Minter (Sidney, BC; Westshore RFC)
Cindy Nelles, Belleville Bulldogs (Belleville, ON)
Karen Paquin, Club de Rugby de Quebec/Castaway Wanderers (Quebec City, QC)
Frederique Rajotte, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC (Montreal, QC)
Laura Russell, Toronto Nomads/Cowichan RFC (Bolton, ON)
Kelly Russell, Toronto Nomads/Cowichan RFC (Bolton, ON)
Kristy Sargent, Leprechaun Tigers (Edmonton, AB)
Alex Tessier, Montreal Barbarians (Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC)
Amanda Thornborough, Westshore RFC (Brandon, MB)
Brittany Waters, Meraloma Athletic Club/Castaway Wanderers (Vancouver, BC)
Julianne Zussman, Castaway Wanderers (Montreal, QC)

Major League Rugby ready to hit the pitch in 2018

by Brendan Kyle Jure
Staff Writer

SALT LAKE CITY – The long-awaited Major League Rugby has announced that it will begin play in 2018 with nine teams across the continental U.S. in a media release.

“By drawing on the best domestic talent MLR will create an intense, fast paced competition and a top-tier media product,” the release states.

The teams will be located in Glendale Colo., Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans, Seattle, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.

Unlike PRO Rugby, MLR’s member teams are all owned by themselves but are not sanctioned by USA Rugby. Some of teams have direct links to already established clubs such as the Glendale Raptors, Seattle Saracens and the Austin Huns.

“MLR will announce a final team and venue list, player contact information and 2018 schedule in the coming months,” the release reads.

Expansion is planned beyond 2018’s season.

Its current headquarters are in Salt Lake City and houses Commissioner Dean Howes and Deputy Commissioner Nick Benson. Howes is a former partner in the New York City-based sports, entertainment and media company, SCP Worldwide. SCP Worldwide were managing partners in the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues franchise as well as owning Major League Soccer franchise, Real Salt Lake.