The Toronto Arrows re-signed Sam Malcolm for the remainder of the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 25-year-old flyhalf/fullback is from Wanganui, New Zealand, and is 5’9″ and 176 lbs.
With nine Arrows players recently named to Canada’s roster for the national union’s upcoming July tour, along with the expectation that three players will be selected to Uruguay’s squad, the team has had to add to its squad depth as it completes its campaign abroad.
Following the 2020 MLR season, Sam signed with the Kamaishi Seawolves of the Japanese Top Challenge League.
Sam was a 2019 All-MLR Second XV selection. He played over 1200 minutes in 16 matches for the Arrows, scoring 152 points, which was third in MLR. He made 181 tackles, which ranked fourth on the team. He also made 69 kicks for 2594 meters. Following the 2019 season, he returned to New Zealand and played for his fifth season with the Manawatu Turbos in the Mitre 10 Cup.
Sam played rugby 15s, 7s, and touch rugby while at Wanganui High School. He played for the Manawatu Under-19s, and Hurricanes Under-20s. He also was part of the New Zealand Under-20s extended training group and in 2014 trialed at halfback.
He played for both the New Zealand Universities in 2015 and the Hurricanes Development side in 2016. Sam attended Massey University, studying agri-commerce and played with the Varsity Rugby Club.
From 2015-2018, Sam played with the Manawatu amateur side and with the Manawatu Turbos in the Mitre Cup. Sam made 10 appearances with the Turbos in 2018, starting 7 times, and has made 20 appearances.
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Malcolm, Arrow 10, returns to the Arrows after a short stint with the Kamaishi Seawaves of Japan’s Top Challenge League. The popular Kiwi first signed with the club in 2019 from the New Zealand National Provincial Championship side Manawatu, and instantly became a fan favourite through his hard work, professionalism, and lethal kicking.
The versatile back started 21 of the 22 matches Toronto played across the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and holds club records in several statistical categories, including points (212), conversions (58), penalty goals (31), and kicking metres (3,062). Strong on both sides of the ball, his tackle completion rate (90.0%; 207 completed) is the highest among all backs to have played for the organization.
Malcolm also holds the distinction of being the only non-Canadian to captain the Arrows in an MLR match.
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