The Toronto Arrows re-signed Kobe Faust for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 20-year-old Rugby Canada wing/center (21 in May) is 6’1″ and 220 lbs.
Kobe missed the majority of the 2022 season while recovering from a serious lower-body injury and returned to full fitness in time to start the final match of the season, playing the full 80 minutes for the first time with the senior team. Since then he has been playing club rugby with the Guelph Gryphons.
Kobe made three appearances in his debut season with the Arrows in 2021. He was used primarily as a wing and produced 48 carry meters on five carries, three tackles (100% completion), and one tackle break in his first season with the club.
He also is the youngest player to ever feature in an MLR match at 19 years, one month, and 25 days when he made his Arrows debut on June 26, 2021.
Kobe is from Uxbridge, Ontario. He played rugby for the Oshawa Vikings (ON), the Toronto Elite Reds Academy Rugby 7s team in 2017, and the University of Guelph Gryphons. Kobe also progressed through the Ontario Blues junior men’s provincial program.
Kobe played for the Rugby Canada U18s during their December 2019 – January 2020 tour of California. He impressed coaches in an intrasquad scrimmage while playing for the Arrows Team White. He also participated in Rugby Canada’s under-20 camp following the 2021 MLR season. He represented Canada at the World Rugby Under-20 Canada Conference 2022 tournament held in Guelph, Ont. this past August, starting all three of Canada’s matches.
Toronto Arrows Comments
Dealing with injuries last year took away my season, but after a long recovery process, I’m excited to be back to 100%,” said Faust. “I’m thrilled to be back with the team. We’re putting our nose to the grindstone and building towards our best season yet.”
The outside back has produced 139 carry meters on 13 carries, 14 ruck arrivals, six tackles, and two tackle breaks over his first two seasons with the club.
Arrow #63 is a graduate of the Ontario Blues junior men’s provincial program and played his grassroots rugby with the Oshawa Vikings. He is currently a member of the Guelph Gryphons post-secondary program.
“Kobe is an exciting young player who brings x-factor to the back line and will be back healthy this year,” said Mark Winokur, Toronto Arrows Chief Operating Officer, and General Manager. “He’s steadily improved since joining us as an 18-year-old in 2021, and despite some injury setbacks that he’s worked hard to overcome, we’re excited about his development trajectory. He’s a homegrown product who’s very focused on continuing to improve his game.”
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