A Look at American Raptors New Coach and 2024 Roster
A Look at American Raptors New Coach and 2024 Roster
The American Raptors have announced that former Queen's University (Ontario) Head Coach David Butcher will sign on as Head Coach for the 2024 Super Rugby Americas season.
This comes in the wake of the Argentina-based coaching staff led by Marcelo Loffreda (announced a month ago) will not be able to run the team. Butcher was Head Coach of Queen's out of Kingston, Ont. for seven years. During that time he led the Gaels to a 52-10 record and three Ontario University championships from 2017-19.
He was selected as the university's Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2-19 and he also has coached in the Canadian national program setup.
Joining Butcher is another Canadian, former University of Guelph Head Coach Cory Hector. Hector has coached in the Rugby Canada age-grade system and with the now defunct Toronto Arrows.
Sarah Chobot (scrum), Steve Stagg (backs and skills), and Nate Shipley (S&C) remain with the coaching staff.
The Raptors will play in the Super Rugby Americas competition for the second straight year. They open on the road at Dogos in Cordoba, Argentina February 16. They play Pampas in Buenos Aires February 23 and at Peñarol in Uruguay March 1.
After a week off the Raptors open their first homestand, hosting Cobras Brasil March 17, Yacara (Paraguay) March 24, Selknam (Chile) April 7, and Dogos April 14.
They stay at home for Pampa and Peñarol.
Another week off and the Raptors go back on the road at Cobras, Yacare, and Selknam before the playoffs start.
Formed to promote American rugby, the Raptors are following the model they followed last year, with a heavily-US roster with a few additional overseas players to round things out. Last year, those additional players came from South America. That is still the case. Here's the roster so far:
Aidan Christians, Stellenbosch University, USA U20s, Flanker
Cian Barry, UCLA, HS All Americans, College All Americans, Back
Clay Markoff, Budd Bay Barbarians, Washington State, Prop
Daytwon Sheridan, Trinity University (San Antonio), Wing
Devereau Ferris, Life West, USA MNT, Scrumhalf
Diego Fortuny, Univ. Catolica de Salta (Argentina), Prop
Diego Magno, Scuola Italiana di Montevideo (Uruguay), Uruguay MNT, Lock/Flanker
Ethyn Baker, Charlotte Tigers, Cardiff Met, USA Hawks, Wing
Facundo Ignacio Pomponio, Argentina XV, Prop
Feofaaki Pulu, Tempe U19s, USA U20s, Center
Francisco Liam Quinn, Universidad del Salvadaor (Argentina), Center
Gabe Mahuinga, Herriman HS, HS All Americans, BYU, Hooker
Ignacio Mieres, Various European pro teams, Argentina, Back
Isikeli Kava, Honolulu, Football Crossover, Flanker
Jackson Zabierek, Marin HS, UC Santa Cruz, Hooker
Jake Hidalgo, Indiana University, Center
Javon Camp-Villalovos, Elk Grove HS, Bethune Cookman, Lock
John Lefevre, West End, Old Dominion, Scrumhalf/Flyhalf
Koby Baker, Raleigh Redhawks, Cardiff Met, Prop
Luke Mallette, Northern Illinois, Wing
Ma'ake Kuti, Kalihi Raiders, Azusa Pacific, Prop
Mikey Grandy, Football Crossover, Flanker
Mo Vainikolo, Football Crossover, Flanker
Patrick Madden, SD Young Aztecs, HS All Americans, Cal Poly, College All Americans, Flyhalf/Center
Rufus McLean, Glasgow Warriors, Scotland, Fullback
Shawn Clark, Football Crossover, USA U23s, Lock
Sione Talisa, Rugby League, TBC
Tavius Sykora-Matthess, Iowa Central CC, Lock
Thomas Morani, Club University of Buenos Aires, Center
Tommy Clark, Budd Bay Barbarians, AIC, Flanker/Lock
Watson Filikitonga, San Mateo, Iona, Center
Will Crawford, Culver Academy, Arkansas/Louisiana Tech, USA Maccabi, Flanker/Lock
Zach Hall, Football Crossover, Flanker
Zack Jessell, Kutztown, Prop
Many of the Raptors players were drafted in MLR but opted to move to the Raptors if their team folded or they just made a change. Of the roster, of 34 players seven are from overseas. One of those, former Glasgow Warrior Rufus McLeans, qualifies for the USA (he was born in Boston).