The first and to date only winners of the MLR Shield have been busy building another contender for 2020. A new Head Coach is in place with a few new names bolstering an already potent lineup. Add in the most passionate fan base in Major League Rugby and it’s not hard to see why the Seattle Seawolves have quickly risen to elite status.

2019 CAMPAIGN

It’s interesting that in both 2018 and 2019, the Seawolves actually finished in second place during the regular season. They weren’t a dominant side in 2019, in some games forced to come from behind after slow starts. Their ‘Seawall’ defense was far from airtight – they were only fifth-best in points conceded.

Game-changing moments, however, went decisively in their favor and their strength in depth on the bench was a key factor to success. Seattle got big plays from the likes of Eric Duechle and Shalom Suniula down the stretch and had Brock Staller‘s boot to punish indiscipline. Their game-winning drive in the Championship Final was a practice scenario executed to perfection.

HOME VENUE

Starfire Stadium isn’t the biggest venue in MLR in size or capacity and isn’t the best located, but the Seawolves do exceptionally well with what they have. Above all their fans flock to games like no other team. Virtually every match is a complete sell-out which creates the fortress-like atmosphere other teams are desperate to emulate.

COACHING STAFF

If there is one area where Seattle have struggled in their two years of existence it’s the coaching department. In both 2018 and 2019 their intended Head Coach didn’t make it to the opening game. Phil Mack and Richie Walker stepped in but for the first time it appears there won’t be any hiccups on the staffing front.

Kees Lensing is the new top man, coming over from Rugby United New York. His knowledge at the set piece in particular will be a big plus. Mack steps away from the field (or will he?) to take on the lead assistant role, and there is a new Strength & Conditioning guru in Chris Tombs, formerly of Cardiff Blues.

2020 ROSTER

New arrivals have been few with only six announced, but all are experienced professionals. Juan Manuel Leguizamón is at the end of his career but remains a tremendous asset in the back row, while South African flyhalf Ryno Eksteen and English center Ross Neal are set to make a big impact.

Otherwise most of the first choice players from 2019 have been retained with very few headed out the door. Api Naikatini, Cam Polson, and Aladdin Schirmer depart but a full season beckons for to-be-confirmed Samu Manoa. Kellen Gordon has now been confirmed for a third campaign. If fellow props DJ Sears-Duru, Olive Kilifi, and Jake Ilnicki are retained as expected, the Seattle pack stands as tall as any.

Eksteen will compete with Ben Cima for time at No10 and the midfield is flush with giants. Neal joins George Barton and former NFLer Joey Iosefa as the muscle with Suniula the magician. Willy Rasileka’s status is unconfirmed but the veteran looks unlikely to feature in 2020. Out wide the team is spoiled for choice with UK imports David Busby and Harry Davies joining Staller, Jeff Hassler, and Mat Turner.

WHAT’S MISSING

If Manoa is indeed soldiering on it’s hard to come up with a weakness in the pack. FP Pelser is the tallest player the team has ever signed and fills the lineout gap left by Naikatini’s departure. A healthy Vili Toluta’u alongside Nakai Penny is as good a combo at openside flanker as there is in MLR.

There is one big hole at the moment, and that’s at scrumhalf. If Mack is indeed a full-time coach there is currently nobody to spell JP Smith when required. At least one more specialist needs to be brought in with Suniula or Mack able to cover in an emergency. Otherwise, this is a quality outfit.

RE-SIGNED (20):

Kellen Gordon, LH

Stephan Coetzee, HO

Mike Shepherd, HO

John Hayden, TH

Tim Metcher, TH

Taylor Krumrei, LO

Jérémy Lenaerts, LO

Brad Tucker, LO/FL

Eric Duechle, FL

Nakai Penny, FL

Vili Toluta’u, FL

Riekert Hattingh, N8

JP Smith, SH

Ben Cima, FH

George Barton, CE

Joey Iosefa, CE

Shalom Suniula, CE

Jeff Hassler, WI

Brock Staller, WI

Mat Turner, FB

IN (6):

FP Pelser, LO, Griquas (SA)

Juan Manuel Leguizamón, FL/N8, Jaguares (AR)

Ryno Eksteen, FH, Cheetahs (SA)

Ross Neal, CE, Wasps (UK)

David Busby, WI/FB, Ulster (UK)

Harry Davies, WI/FB, Bedford Blues (UK)

OUT (6):

Api Naikatini, LO, Old Glory DC

Cam Polson, LO/FL

Aladdin Schirmer, FL, Colorado Raptors

Phil Mack, SH, retired (Assistant Coach)

Roland Suniula, CE, Austin Herd

Peter Tiberio, WI, retired