NEWS

Bringing Professional Rugby To Miami
Written by Joe Harvey
Tomas Cubelli was the Miami Sharks’ first player signing. Almost a year after the announcement, the 34-year-old is now in Florida preparing for the team’s debut Major League Rugby season.
Miami Sharks host the Chicago Hounds at DRV PNK Stadium, the Argentina international is fresh from the training field and just a few weeks into getting to know his new teammates.
Bringing with him over 90 matches of Test match experience for Los Pumas, Cubelli is by far and away the most experienced player in the Sharks squad, the scrum-half just months removed from playing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, his third appearance at the tournament.
Over a career that has seen the half-back play domestically on four continents to date, representing the Western Force and Brumbies in Australia, the Pampas XV in South Africa, Biarritz in France and the Jaguares in his native South America.
His debut for the Sharks will see Cubelli play professional club rugby on a fifth continent, something which has been a long-held ambition.
“I have been watching MLR for the last couple of years, and I think it is a tournament that is growing season by season,” Cubelli said.
“I was always saying I would like to go to America and try over here. With Miami Sharks and everything happening around the team, I jumped into this project.
“Hopefully, we can make it grow fast here in Miami.”
There will be a distinctly Latin American feel to the Miami Sharks. In many ways, this represents the city that the team will call home, where some 70 percent of the population are of Hispanic origin.
Cubelli is part of this and was joined in Miami by Uruguay internationals Reinaldo Piussi, Manuel Arado, Felipe Etcheverry, and Tomas Inciarte, who similarly represented their country at the Rugby World Cup in France last fall.
Coached by Argentine, Jose Pellicena, who has previously coached Argentina U20 and served as an assistant coach with the Jaguares in Super Rugby, the side may well even play the free-flowing and expansive style of rugby that has become associated with Los Pumas and Los Teros.
“It would be interesting to show a bit of a flavor of what South American rugby can do in the United States,” Cubelli said. “It will be interesting to show a bit of that.
“There are some South American players, coaches, and owners, but this is America, and most of the team will be American, so the real challenge will be the culture and bringing this flavor to the league as well.”
One of Argentina’s all-time best rugby players, Cubelli, will be near one of his country’s all-time soccer players.
Training at the Florida Blue Training Center, home of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF, the side will be in close proximity to Lionel Messi, who completed his own move to the Sunshine State in 2023.
“He is the greatest sportsman of all time for me,” Cubelli said.
“Maybe because I am Argentinian, maybe because the World Cup is so recent, but he is a big idol and a big role model for all of us Argentinians.
“To be able to be in the same environment is unreal. Hopefully, he can approach rugby and see what rugby has to offer.”
At the time of writing, there is just over a month to go until the Miami Sharks make their MLR bow.
Hosting the Chicago Hounds, the game will see Miami’s first-ever professional rugby game being hosted in the state, with Cubelli likely in the middle of it all, orchestrating play against a side that experienced their debut season 12 months prior.
“I think it will be a massive thing here in Miami. It will be the first professional rugby game here, so (I am) excited to be a part of that.
“It is something I will look forward to with my family, and I will remember for my life. So, looking forward to March 3rd.”
Season 1 is about to start and we want you in the stadium.
Choose your favourite pack and become a #SharkFan 🦈https://t.co/rTNGXm5jCc
Link here for tickets now 👆🏻 pic.twitter.com/pUDa75QUey— Miami Sharks Rugby Club (@miasharksrugby) January 11, 2024
Recent Posts

How To Watch: February 15 – 16
Find information on how to watch every MLR match this weekend. For

‘We Are Here To Win The Competition’ – Lee Ahead Of Maiden Season With The Nola Gold
Written by Joe Harvey | Photos Provided By NOLA Gold Danny Lee

ESPN and Major League Rugby Announce Multiyear Media Rights Agreement
Live Coverage Begins with the 2025 Season on Feb. 15 All Matches

‘I Want Everybody To Be Proud Of The SaberCats’ – Pote Human Ahead Of 2025 Season
Written by Joe Harvey | Photos by Oscar Hernandez In 2024, the

‘They Will Work Harder’ – John Manenti’s Plan To Turn San Diego Legion Into Shield Winners
Written by Joe Harvey | Photos by Griff Lacey For the past
Categories
- Anthem RC
- Chicago Hounds
- Dallas Jackals
- Expansion
- Headlines
- Highlights
- Houston SaberCats
- In the News
- League Announcements
- Matches
- Miami Sharks
- MLR Collegiate Draft
- MLR News
- New England Free Jacks
- New York Ironworkers
- NOLA Gold
- Old Glory DC
- Playoffs
- Press Releases
- Rugby ATL
- Rugby FC Los Angeles
- San Diego Legion
- Seattle Seawolves
- Team News
- Toronto Arrows
- Trades
- Utah Warriors
- Videos
Archives
- February 2025 (4)
- January 2025 (12)
- December 2024 (3)
- November 2024 (10)
- October 2024 (3)
- September 2024 (7)
- August 2024 (14)
- July 2024 (22)
- June 2024 (42)
- May 2024 (29)
- April 2024 (39)
- March 2024 (37)
- February 2024 (5)
- January 2024 (6)
- December 2023 (5)
- November 2023 (4)
- October 2023 (5)
- September 2023 (5)
- August 2023 (7)
- July 2023 (19)
- June 2023 (43)
- May 2023 (41)
- April 2023 (46)
- March 2023 (27)
- February 2023 (17)
- January 2023 (4)
- December 2022 (4)
- November 2022 (7)
- October 2022 (7)
- September 2022 (4)
- August 2022 (3)
- July 2022 (8)
- June 2022 (46)
- May 2022 (71)
- April 2022 (56)
- March 2022 (58)
- February 2022 (55)
- January 2022 (13)
- December 2021 (8)
- November 2021 (10)
- October 2021 (14)
- September 2021 (10)
- August 2021 (17)
- July 2021 (60)
- June 2021 (63)
- May 2021 (64)
- April 2021 (49)
- March 2021 (35)
- February 2021 (14)
- January 2021 (15)
- November 2020 (1)
- September 2020 (4)
- August 2020 (6)
- July 2020 (10)
- June 2020 (3)
- May 2020 (4)
- March 2020 (16)
- February 2020 (19)
- September 2019 (1)
- August 2019 (1)
- June 2019 (17)
- May 2019 (32)
- April 2019 (39)
- March 2019 (28)
- February 2019 (54)
- January 2019 (31)
- May 2018 (2)
- April 2018 (1)