Three Canadian Internationals Are Back for 2022
November 3, 2021 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Toronto Arrows News Release
TORONTO, ON - The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce a fourth group of significant signings ahead of the 2022 Major League Rugby season.
The club is excited to confirm that Canadian internationals Ross Braude, Spencer Jones and Lucas Rumball are all returning for the upcoming campaign.
Ross Braude
Scrum-half | Pretoria, South Africa
Arrow #53
Braude, 21, has committed to a second campaign with the club after making 11 appearances (10 starts) in his debut MLR season.
The league's youngest scrum-half enjoyed a strong first season in North America, racking up 509 passes, 91 carry metres on 23 carries, 71 kicks in play (1,866 metres), 38 tackles, 13 tackle breaks and one try this past year.
The South African-born Canadian international, who is eligible to play for Canada through his Montreal-born father, has collected six caps for his adopted nation since making his international debut against Wales in July 2021. Braude previously represented South Africa's under-18 sevens team before joining the Arrows and opting for Canada as his test future.
The 5'6", 180lb half-back joined the Arrows prior to the start of the 2021 MLR season from then-Super Rugby side Bulls, where he helped lead the Pretorian club's age-grade sides to under-19 and under-21 championships in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
As a student in South Africa, Braude captained the prestigious Grey College 1st XV and twice represented Free State in the iconic Craven Week schoolboys tournament.
Spencer Jones
Centre | Cambridge, New Zealand
Arrow #13
Jones, 24, is back with the Arrows for a fourth season after making 25 appearances (20 starts) since joining the organization in 2019. After featuring in all 16 matches throughout his debut season, the Canadian international was unable to participate in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season due to injury; Jones returned to game action in 2021, participating in nine matches following a full recovery.
The 6'1", 220lb centre has accumulated 1,024 carry metres on 126 carries, 213 tackles (86.9% completion), 12 tackle breaks, 10 dominant tackles, 10 linebreaks, 10 offloads, three tries and two breakdown steals over his three years with the club. He's also kicked two penalty goals and a conversion, bringing his point tally to 23.
Born in Vancouver and raised in New Zealand, Jones has earned four caps for Canada since making his international debut against the United States in September 2021.
Jones played his grassroots rugby with Hamilton Old Boys (New Zealand) and Westshore (British Columbia).
Lucas Rumball
Flanker | Scarborough, Ontario
Arrow #1
Rumball, 26, is returning for a fourth campaign with the club after making 24 appearances (23 starts) throughout his first three years in MLR.
The 6'2", 230lb flanker's career totals include 826 carry metres on 213 carries, 319 tackles (94.4% completion), a franchise-leading 29 breakdown steals, 23 lineout takes, 23 tackle breaks, 15 offloads, 10 dominant tackles, three lineout steals, and two tries.
The 2021 club co-captain's impressive performances throughout last season landed him a spot on the All-MLR 1st XV. Despite missing three matches due to international duty, Rumball still finished first across the league in breakdown steals (22; next closest had 13), first in defensive ruck arrivals (124), seventh in tackles (156), eighth in attacking ruck arrivals (242), and 16th in carries (124).
Rumball has amassed 41 caps (38 starts) for Canada since making his international debut against Uruguay in February 2016, including featuring at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The forward also represented the Canada under-20s in 2014 (as an under-ager) and 2015.
The forward is a graduate of the Ontario Blues senior men's provincial program and the Queen's Gaels post-secondary program, and played his grassroots rugby with Balmy Beach.
"We're very excited that Ross, Spencer, and Lucas will be returning for the upcoming MLR season," said Mark Winokur, Toronto Arrows Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. "All three are very important players for both club and country, and are representative of our team's young Canadian core."
"Ross is a dynamic half-back on the rise, and despite being one of the youngest players in the league last year, he proved he was more than capable of handling the rigours of North American professional rugby. At just 21, there is a lot of growth to come for Ross, and we're excited to see his game continue to evolve."
"Spencer has shown incredible resolve in his long recovery from a tough knee injury. After being sidelined for close to two years, Spencer picked up right where he left off in 2019; when he returned for the second half of last season, he was right back to playing as one of the top centres in North America, and he's poised to continue his strong play in 2022."
"Lucas has been a core member of our team's leadership group since our inaugural season and is a player who leads by example. His work rate sets the tone for his teammates; he's routinely recognized as one of the top players in MLR, and based on his thorough, professional process in preparation for both training sessions and games, it's not surprising he's held in such high esteem."
The Arrows have now signed 16 players ahead of the club's 2022 MLR campaign.
The club will be making additional signing announcements in the coming weeks as 2022 season preparations continue to build.
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