The Utah Warriors signed Jared Whippy for a second Major League Rugby season. The 2018 MLR season was one that the Whippy family would rather forget. First, his twin brother Josh broke his leg in the final preseason match against the Wolfpack and then Jared broke his leg against Austin Elite Rugby.
The 28-year-old fullback is 5’11” and 225 lbs, He was born in Suva, Fiji and raised in New Zealand. He attended Church College of New Zealand, playing rugby for Alf Daniels. He also represented Fiji in basketball, playing point guard at the South Pacific games.
His senior year, he moved to Utah and played rugby with United Rugby, helping the team win the 2010 U19 National Championship. Jared then attended BYU in 2011, playing rugby and earned All-American status.
The following two years, Jared went on an LDS mission to Buota Branch, Kiribati and six weeks later transferred to Marakei before joining his brother Josh in South Tarawa.
Following the mission, Jared returned to BYU from 2014-2018, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Business. Jared played rugby with the team again from 2014-2016, winning two National Championships in 2014 and 2015 and was an All-American in 2014 and 2015.
In 2016 and 2017 Jared played club for Rugby Utah 7s, winning the National Championship both years. He also played club rugby for Humless.
In 2018, Jared joined the Utah Warriors and although his first season was cut short, he hopes to return to the form in 2019 that made him a key member of the back line. He also returned to school to pursue a Master of Business Administration Degree at Western Governors’ University.
jared, like many team members, is married and his wife Kaitlyn’s support and his extended family is invaluable.
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