A new name suited up for the Austin Herd in their warm-up match against the Austin Huns on Saturday. Highly rated Brazil front rower Wilton Rebolo has finally arrived in Texas, joining the team for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old joins from the Pasteur club in São Paulo.

Rebolo adds unique versatility having excelled at both hooker and tighthead prop in test rugby. He was in the middle of the front row that bested the Māori in November 2018 and then steamrolled Canada in the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship. At 275lbs (126kg) he adds considerable ballast at either position.

The signing is one that has been in the works for several months. Rebolo was meant to join Austin during the 2019 campaign but could not secure a visa in time. His arrival likely completes the Herd’s front row stocks for 2020, with the Brazilian taking the roster spot of the now-departed Brendan Rams.

Also taking part in Saturday’s match was newcomer Dominic Akina. The 25-year-old played both rugby and football at Western Oregon University. A defensive back in gridiron, Akina is a rapid and hard-hitting outside center in rugby. This will be his first season as a professional.