Chilean International Marcelo Torrealba Signs with Austin Elite Rugby

ROUND ROCK (TX) - Austin Elite Rugby is excited to announce the signing of Chilean scrum-half, Marcelo Torrealba. The 21-year-old playmaker from Santiago, Chile has been a standout at both the club and national level for Rugby Chile - being named Chilean Rugby Player of the Year for 2017 by Chilean Circle of Sports Journalist.

Torrealba attended The Grange school in Santiago. He started his rugby career at the age of 5 playing for his school’s club team, Old Boys. In 2012 he decided to pursue rugby full force and headed overseas to New Zealand’s Southland High School to learn from the world’s best. In 2014 Torrealba returned back home and began training for the country’s national side.

Torrealba has made many appearances for the Cóndores 7s team since his first cap in December 2014. He was most outstanding for the Cóndores 7s team in 2017, playing an integral role in the team’s successes. He impressed many at the Las Vegas and Vancouver stops of the HSBC Sevens Series in 2018, where Chile was an invitational team and won the Rugby World Cup 7s Bowl.

Los Cóndores gained a lot of awareness for their play at the Hong Kong Qualifier event, in which Torrealba scored 32 points in that tournament. However, one of the most impressive inks on his resume is the team’s historic win against New Zealand at the Silicon Valley 7s tournament in November. With this, Torrealba was named 1 of 50 “Heroes of Sport” by La Tercera.

Torrealba also studies business at the Universidad Andres Bello in Santiago, Chile.

“Marcelo was a standout player at the World Rugby combine,” said Backs Coach CJ De Wet. “We feel as an international for Chile his experience and quality will be invaluable to our squad. His dynamism and enthusiasm with the ball in hand will add a different dimension to our attack. Us coaches and admin. are excited to welcome Marcelo to our team.”

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About Austin Elite Rugby

Austin Elite Rugby is a Professional Rugby team based in Austin and Round Rock, Texas, and we are excited to bring Professional Rugby to Central Texas. As a founding member of Major League Rugby, Austin Elite Rugby’s vision is to bring the excitement of professional rugby to the US. With the embodiment of rugby’s core values of integrity, respect, discipline, and passion; AER will help educate, inspire and connect with the community of Austin, Texas. Creating a world-class experience for players and fans to enjoy the game.

The 2019 Major League Rugby season kicks off the weekend of January 26th and will span 19 weeks with home matches being played at the iconic Dell Diamond, a 13,000-seat stadium in Round Rock / North Austin.

About Major League Rugby

MLR is a professional rugby league that launched in April of 2018. It’s an initiative of the American rugby community, in partnership with private investors, who believe that American rugby can thrive at the highest levels: as a commercial enterprise; as an influential player on the international scene; and as a participation sport at the youth and senior level. MLR is the pinnacle of American rugby, and provides a rallying point for local communities, a focal point for American rugby fans, and an aspirational destination for young athletes. For more information, visit usmlr.com