League: Major League Rugby
Founded in 2017 with it’s inaugural season played in 2018, Major League Rugby (MLR) is the highest level of professional rugby in North America.
Arrows2023 – RD 11: New England Free Jacks v New York Ironworkers
Wet & Windy conditions defined this chapter of the ‘Chowder Cup’ between the New England Free Jacks & Rugby New York Ironworkers.
The Free Jacks prevailed by a final score of 8-0, setting a new MLR record for the lowest scoring game in league history! The points total of 8 surpasses the previous record of 7-8 when Rugby ATL defeated NOLA Gold in Louisiana, a total of 15pts.
This was the 2nd shutout victory in Free Jacks history, following a 32-0 win over the SaberCats in Week 2 of 2021. The Ironworkers scored no points, resulting in the 8th shutout in MLR history and the 2nd in club history following a 43-0 loss to LA in Week 10 of 2022.
8 v 0 
Ironworkers
Sam Faoagali
American Samoan born, New Zealand raised hooker Sam Faoagali played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2024. He represented the Utah Warriors (2023) and the Chicago Hounds (2024).
Although raised in New Zealand, Faoagali played for Perth Bayswater in Australia alongside his 3 brothers Falaniko, Joseph, and Mathew Faoagali (who represented the Houston SaberCats in 2019). Faoagali played with the Utah Warriors academy for part of 2023, before being selected for the USA Hawks Development team for their tour of South America. Upon his return, he joined the Chicago Hounds Academy for their fall 2023 season, starting against both San Diego and Toronto.
Due to his previous relationship with the USA Hawks, Faoagali could have been a prime candidate for the next evolution of the Hawks, a full MLR side purely focused on developing US talent, Anthem RC. However, on 17th January 2024, the Utah Warriors (who still held his rights) formally traded Faoagali to the Chicago Hounds in exchange for 2024 Salary Cap Considerations (unknown). The Hounds confirmed Faoagali’s signing on 19 January 2024.
Trevior Owens
Wing/fullback Trevior Owens played in Major League Rugby during the 2023 season. Although raised in New Zealand, Owens is originally from Hawaii and so qualifies as a domestic player.
Rugby ATL announced the signing of Owens on 28th April, 2023.
Jackals
TomĂ¡s Cubilla
Argentinian centre TomĂ¡s Cubilla played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2025. He represented the Dallas Jackals (2023-2024) and the Miami Sharks (2025).
The Buenos Aires native has represented Argentina XV since 2019 and captained that side during their 2022 tour of Portugal & Spain, and has also represented Ceibos (now Dogos XV) in Super Rugby Americas. Between 2020-2022, Cubilla captained the Jaguares XV in Super Liga Americana (now Super League Americas). He was announced by the Jackals of 25th April, 2023, part-way through the 2023 MLR season and started all 3 of the games he appeared in, racking up 150m gained in his limited game time.
On 21st November 2023 the Dallas Jackals announced the re-signing of TomĂ¡s Cubilla for the 2024 MLR season, where he improved almost across the board. Cubilla scored 5 tries in 8 games (all starts) for the Jackals, gaining over 600m with ball in hand as the Jackals. The Jackals qualified for the MLR Playoffs for the first time in club history that season, and Cubilla started both of their games in the Championship series, including their stunning victory over the #1 seeded Houston SaberCats, and their Western Conference Final loss to the Seattle Seawolves.
Following the withdrawal of the Dallas Jackals from Major League Rugby in September 2024, Cubilla was not selected during the Dallas Jackals dispersal draft. This is likely because he does not count as a domestic player so would use an international slot. However, on November 23rd, 2024, the Miami Sharks announced the signing of TomĂ¡s Cubilla for the 2025 season, joining a healthy South American contingent in Florida.
achievements
- MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 11
- MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 3
- MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 14
Sidney Tobias
South African Hooker Sidney Tobias represented Rugby ATL in Major League Rugby during the 2023 season. Tobias was announced on April 26, 2023 joining from the Bulls organisation in South Africa. He was brought in as injury cover.
TomĂ¡s Cubelli
Los Pumas Veteran scrum-half TomĂ¡s Cubelli competed in MLR between 2024-2025. He represented the Miami Sharks for his entire MLR career.
Cubelli began playing rugby with Belgrano Athletics Club in Buenos Aires, the same club his dad had represented. He played for the BAC senior side in the URBA Top 12 between 2010-2018. Cubelli joined the Pampas XV after they were accepted into South Africa’s Vodacom Cup competition and played there from 2011-2015, where they were crowned Champions in 2011. Following 5 seasons in the Vodacom Cup, Cubelli joined the Brumbies, making his Super Rugby debut in Round 1 and was a key part of their 2016 season, before an injury ruled him out for a huge part of the 2017 campaign. He joined Argentina’s Super Rugby side, the Jaguares, and represented them between 2018-2020. When the Jaguares pulled out of Super Rugby, Cubelli signed with the Western Force to compete in the Super Rugby AU competition, a one off league during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cubelli then moved to France, representing Biarritz in the French Top 14 between 2021-2023, before the call came from the Miami Sharks and MLR.
Internationally, Cubelli earned his test debut against Uruguay in the 2010 South American Rugby Championship, and has represented Los Pumas at three Rugby World Cups in 2015, 2019, and 2023. He is closing in on 100 international caps for Argentina.
On April 26, 2023 Cubelli was announced as the very first player to sign with the Miami Sharks expansion side. He earned 11 appearances (10 starts) during the Sharks inaugural season, Captaining the club through it’s first season in MLR. On 6th November 2024, the Miami Sharks announced the return of TomĂ¡s Cubelli for their 2025 campaign.
achievements
- MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 11
Miami Sharks
background & History
The Miami Sharks were confirmed to be joining Major League Rugby on 8th February, 2023 for the following year. By MLR standards this was a huge amount of time prior to their first season. Their first season competing in MLR will be the 2024 season competing in the Western Conference and bringing the total number of teams to 13 (prior to the withdrawal of NY and Toronto, and the addition of Anthem RC).
The Sharks boast a strong Argentinian and South American identity in part through their ownership group. On April 24, 2023, Jose Pellicena was announced as the clubs first Head Coach, having previously ran the Los Pumas men’s u20 side. Two days later on April 26, 2023, the Sharks announced the first player ever signed for the Miami side, Los Pumas veteran scrum-half Tomas Cubelli. South African flanker Roelof Smit was announced in early August, before a trio of Uruguayan Internationals. The Sharks’ inaugural season was a solid one. They missed the playoffs with a record of 6-10 in the Eastern Conference (In the West, the Dallas Jackals qualified with that same record and reached the Conference Finals), but recorded upset victories over the reigning champion New England Free Jacks and a strong NOLA Gold side.
Entering their sophomore season in 2025, the Miami Sharks showed significant improvement. They were able to compete with the best and handed the New England Free Jacks another defeat. They improved to an 8-8 record and 41pts, finishing 4th in the Eastern Conference and qualifying for the postseason for the first time where they faced the Free Jacks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Unfortunately for the Sharks, New England’s playoff pedigree came through, ending Miami’s season one step further than last year.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Miami Sharks CEO Milagros Cubelli was deservingly named as the inaugural MLR Executive of the Year. The Sharks enjoyed a successful season both on and off the pitch, but rumours of the owners pulling the plug began to circulate even before the 2025 regular season was over. NARDB understands that the ownership group was placated by the time of the 2025 Championship however the California merger and withdrawal of the NOLA Gold seem to have spooked the ownership group. On 6th August 2025, Miami Sharks players were told that the team was withdrawing from the competition after only 2 seasons, making the Miami Sharks the 3rd team to pull out in a week. The Sharks finally posted a statement confirming the team’s withdrawal from the 2026 MLR season on 20th August, 2025 that leaves the door open for a return in some capacity. The Sharks are yet to play another game.
Records & Record Holders
all time
Top Scorer: Santiago Videla (120pts)
Top Try Scorer:Â Mano Ardao (10)
Top Playoff Scorer: Shane O’Leary, Kirby Myhill (5)
Most Appearances: Guiseppe du Toit (33)
Most Starts: Ben Bonasso (28)
Top Tackler: Ben Bonasso (350)
Top Meter Eater: Santiago Videla (1,150m)
single season
Top Scorer: Shane O’Leary (95pts) – 2025
Top Try Scorer: Nick Grigg (7) – 2024
Top Tackler: Ben Bonasso (183) – 2025
Top Meter Eater: Felipe Etcheverry (789m) – 2024
historical performance
2024: 6-0-10 (-54) – 32pts: 5th in Eastern Conference
2025: 8-0-8 (-62) – 41pts: 4th in Eastern Conference (Conference Semifinalist)
Overall Regular Season Record: 14-0-18
Overall Championship Series Record:Â 0-1
Championship Series Appearances: 1 (2025)
The Old Mate
Total Possessions: 0
Longest Streak: N/A
First Possession: N/A
Last Possession: N/A
Successful Challenges: 0
Failed Challenges: 3
Challenge Success Rate: 0.00%
Successful Defences: 0
Failed Defences: 0
Defence Success Rate: 0.00%
Head Coach & Captain
Head Coach
- José Pellicena (2024-2025)
Captain
- TomĂ¡s Cubelli (2024-2025)
Logo & Jerseys
The Miami Sharks Logo depicts a shark swatting at a rugby ball with it’s tail. The shark itself is outlined in black and pink, the club’s typical colour scheme. The Sharks’ 2024 home jersey was primarily pink with some blue undertones, and the away featured pink/blue accents on a black base. Both jerseys were reminiscent of Miami Vice/summer evenings and beach parties, which the city of Miami well.
venue
For their inaugural season, the Miami Sharks played at Autonation Sports Field, a part of DRV PNK Stadium, the home of MLS side Inter Miami CF. The field had a capacity of 3,200 when announced, but seating will be increased to 5,000 for MLR games in 2024. Autonation Sports Field was renamed to Baptist Health Community Field for sponsorship reasons in 2025, when the Sharks played their second season in the shadow of DRV PNK Stadium.
