MLR stars named in Super Rugby Pacific rosters

A handful of Major League Rugby’s best players from the 2023 campaign have been named in Super Rugby Pacific rosters for the 2024 season. Six players from the most recent season were named, with another 11 who have previously experienced professional rugby in North America.

San Diego pair Ben Grant and Richard Judd had already been confirmed as joining the Hurricanes, and as expected Utah hooker Henry Bell was named in the Highlanders squad. The Legion have also lost star hooker Sama Malolo to Moana Pasifika. NOLA back row Tom Florence will play for the Chiefs and Free Jacks lock or flanker Semisi Paea follows Malolo to Moana.

A pair of ex-LA standouts will play for Australian sides. Scrumhalf Harrison Goddard is with the Brumbies, and hooker Mahe Vailanu with pack down with the Waratahs. Ex-Austin scrumhalf Ryan Louwrens continues with the Rebels.

All told ex-MLR players appear in 10 of the 12 teams in the Pacific competition. While each player’s departure represents a loss to MLR in terms of individual talent, the overall numbers are evidence that the on-field standard of the American league is improving and presents a viable option for those looking to keep their Super Rugby ambitions alive.

TEAM	PLAYER	MLR TEAM
BRUMBIES	Harrison Goddard	LA Giltinis (2021-2022)
FORCE	Felix Kalapu	Old Glory DC (2022)
REBELS	Ryan Louwrens	Austin Gilgronis (2022)
REDS	Richie Asiata Sef Fa’agase	Toronto Arrows (2020) New England Free Jacks (2021)
WARATAHS	Mahe Vailanu	LA Giltinis (2021)
BLUES	n/a
CHIEFS	Tom Florence	NOLA Gold (2023)
CRUSADERS	n/a
HIGHLANDERS	Henry Bell Will Tucker	Utah Warriors (2023) Rugby New York (2022)
HURRICANES	Ben Grant Richard Judd	San Diego Legion (2022-2023) San Diego Legion (2023)
DRUA	Samu Tawake Tuidraki Samusamuvodre	Rugby New York (2021) New England Free Jacks (2021)
MOANA	Donald Brighouse Sama Malolo Sam Slade Semisi Paea	New England Free Jacks (2020) Utah (2020-2021) / San Diego (2023) Glendale Raptors (2020) New England Free Jacks (2023)