TORONTO — The Toronto Arrows have signed New Zealand-born hooker Gene Syminton for the 2023 Major League Rugby season.
The 25-year-old arrives from New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay, for whom he played in the National Provincial Championship.
“Gene is a tough and gritty hooker who leads from the front and will bring physicality to our front row,” Arrows COO and GM Mark Winokur said in a statement. “He’s a no-nonsense player who will fit in well with our culture on and off the field, and we are very excited to have him on board.”
The five-foot-11, 230-pounder has spent the last two seasons with Hawke’s Bay, which posted the NPC’s best regular-season record. There he worked with Arrows forwards coach Francisco Deformes, who serves as Hawke’s Bay’s scrum coach during the MLR off-season.
Prior to joining Hawke’s Bay, Syminton spent three years with Manawatu, working his way up from the Turbos’ academy to the senior team.
“I can’t wait to start with the Arrows,” said Syminton. “Franny (Deformes) got in my ear this season about how special an opportunity it is to play in Major League Rugby and in Toronto, specifically. I really want to win a championship, and playing in Toronto gives me the best chance to accomplish that goal.”
Syminton also consulted Arrows fly half Sam Malcolm, who played with him at Manawatu.
“He had nothing but great things to say about the Arrows organization, and he’s really confident with the way the team is heading,” said Syminton. “It fired me up.”
Syminton is the first Arrows hooker announced for 2023. The team used Canadians Andrew Quattrin and Jack McRogers last season at the position.
Quattrin was traded to the Utah Warriors in July for an import slot.
There is no limit to the number of import players an MLR team can have on its extended roster. But there is a cap to the number than can be named in a team’s matchday 23-man roster.
The Arrows have eight import slots for 2023.
In other Toronto news, Canadian international prop Cole Keith has been traded to the New England Free Jacks in exchange for salary cap considerations in 2023.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2022
