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TORONTO, ON - The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce that prop Lolani Faleiva has re-signed with the club for the 2023 Major League Rugby season.
Faleiva, 23, is returning to the Arrows for a second campaign after featuring in 14 matches (three starts) for the club in his debut season.
"I'm looking forward to coming back and building on what we started last year," said Faleiva. "We've got a very good squad, and I'm excited to be returning."
"The goals I set for myself are focused on doing my part to help the team. The hard work will pay off with results at the end of the season, when hopefully we'll be lifting the Shield."
The six-foot-four, 285-pound forward made strong strides over the course of his first year in blue and white, posting 595 carry metres on 76 carries, 86 ruck arrivals, 41 tackles (four dominant), 19 defenders beaten and 10 offloads throughout his rookie season. His four tries represented the second-highest tally across the squad in 2022, trailing only fellow front-rower Jack McRogers (six).
Faleiva first joined the Arrows from New Zealand National Provincial Championship side Hawke's Bay; the prop then returned to the Napier-based club over the MLR off-season, where he continued his development in the provincial competition.
Prior to earning a roster spot on his hometown NPC team, Faleiva featured for Netherlands club Bassets in the 2019 Dutch Ereklasse.
The forward has played his grassroots rugby with Taradale on the Hawke's Bay club circuit (alongside his Magpies teammate and Arrows newcomer Gene Syminton), notably helping to guide the Maroons to the prestigious Nash Cup-Maddison Trophy double in late 2021.
"Lolani is one of the top ball carriers in the league and combines size with speed and agility," said Mark Winokur, Toronto Arrows Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. "We think he can really contribute to the scrum this year and will see more of him across the park."
The club will be making additional signing announcements in the coming weeks as 2023 season preparations continue to build.
The window to place a deposit to secure 2023 season memberships for the lowest possible price is now open. Earlybird pricing packages for the club's home matches at York Lions Stadium start at just $70 for a limited time only.
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