March 11, 2016
PRO Rugby Signs Phil Mackenzie & Pedrie Wannenburg
Photos: Phil Mackenzie & Pedrie Wannenburg
Doug Coil
PRO Rugby will be making many player announcements concerning player signing during the next few days. Tuesday, Mirco Bergamasco who has been capped many times for Italy, is part of the Sacramento team. Now Canada International Phil Mackenzie will be with San Diego and Pedrie Wannenburg, a South Africa capped player, with Denver.
Steve Lewis, Director of Rugby Operations, indicated that 38 Eagles XV/7s players have been signed and expects 3-5 Canadians, 8-10 other Internationals will be part of the League during the first season.
While most player contracts are in place, there are some that remain to be finalized, and will be announced soon.
The teams are determined, venues finalized, jerseys revealed, and most of the coaches shared. I’m waiting for another Assistant Coach announcement for San Diego.
The following were teams that will be part of PRO Rugby inaugural season that begins April 10th.
Owner: Doug Schoninger
Director of Rugby Operations: Steve Lewis
San Francisco: Venue: Boxer Stadium; Head Coach: Paul Keeler; Ass’t Coaches: Adrian Ferris, Simon Fathers
Sacramento: Venue: Bonny Field; HC: Luke Gross; Ass’ts: Kevin Battle, Fred Waititi
San Diego: Venue: Torero Stadium; HC: Ray Egan; Ass’t: Matt Hawkins
Ohio (Obetz): Venue: Memorial Park; HC: Paul Barford; Ass’ts: Paul Holmes, Eamonn Hogan
Denver: Venue: Infinity Park; HC: Sean O’Leary, Ass’ts: Pete Borlase, David Williams; Technical/Consultant: Andre Snyman
PRO Rugby Schedule: Tickets on sale soon.
4/17/16: SF at SAC & OHIO at DEN
4/23/16: SAC at SD
4/24/16: DEN at SF
5/01/16: SF at OHIO & DEN at SD
5/08/16: SD at SF & OHIO at SAC
5/15/16: DEN at SAC & OHIO at SD
5/20/16: SF at DEN
5/22/16: SAC at OHIO
5/28/16: SAC at SD
5/29/16: OHIO at SF
6/05/16: DEN at SD
6/12/16: SD at OHIO
6/18/16: SF at SD
6/19/16: OHIO at DEN
6/26/16: SF at OHIO & SAC at DEN
7/03/16: SAC at SF & SD at OHIO
7/09/16: OHIO at SAC
7/10/16: SD at DEN
7/16/16: SD at SF
7/17/16: SAC at DEN
7/23/16: SD at SAC
7/24/16: DEN at SF
7/30/16: SF at SAC
7/31/16: DEN at OHIO
PRO Rugby Press Releases: March 10, 2016
“Introducing Phil Mackenzie, proudly signing with San Diego for the inaugural 2016 PRO Rugby North America season. Mackenzie, 29, is a native of Oakville, Ontario, where he has played 31 times for Canada, establishing himself as a fan favorite. Mackenzie has played professionally in the UK with Coventry, Esher, and London Welsh, and most recently with Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership.”
“We’re pleased to announce the signing of Pedrie Wannenburg to Denver for the inaugural 2016 PRO Rugby North America season. Wannenburg was born in Nelspruit, South Africa and took the pitch 20 times for the famous Springboks. A long-time back-row player for top South African Super franchise the Bulls, he moved on to France’s Top 14 league with Castres, and most recently Oyonnax, and also had a spell with Ulster in the European PRO 12 competition.”
Jerseys
New league. New kit. PRO Rugby replica jerseys are now available for all 5 of our inaugural teams. Get yours, show it off, and spread the word. http://champ-sys.com/retail/cs-collection/pro-rugby-apparel
