The Glendale Raptors Major League Rugby team has announced the signing of two capped players, with former Austin Elite all-league player Hanco Germishuys, and capped flanker Malon Al-Jiboori joining the club for the 2019 season.

We are looking forward to getting these two young players into Glendale,” said Raptors head coach David Williams. “Regardless of their age, they definitely add a depth of experience to our team based on their national team training and international experience. They both have massive aspirations to make the World Cup squad and reach their potential as players both on and off the pitch. These signings, as well as others, show the strength of our environment at Glendale and will further improve our competitiveness."

The Glendale program continues to grow and will also send its 2nd team, the Merlins, into the Pacific Rugby Premiership this coming season.

Al-Jiboori played for the Union HS team in Tulsa, OK and was a USA U20 captain, a collegiate All American at Lindenwood, and also has played for the USA at 15s and Sevens. Germishuys played for the Westside HS team in Nebraska, and for the HS All Americans as well as USA U20s. He was the MVP of the Junior World Trophy, and capped off 2018 with a strong performance for the Eagles.

It was a tackle by Germishuys that sealed a victory over Argentina XV, which led to the USA repeating as Americas Rugby Championship winners. Germishuys scored a key try for the USA against Scotland, vaulting the USA into a lead they would not relinquish. He also scored a key try for Samoa and has six tries in 11 caps for the USA.

“I’m really excited about the upcoming season with Glendale and looking forward to just being able to play 15s again,” Al-Jiboori said.

“I’m so excited to be back in Glendale for this second season of MLR,” Germishuys added. “I can’t wait to get back into training with the boys soon.”