Rugby United New York Signs Marcus Satavu

Rugby United New York signed Marcus Satavu for the remainder of the 2019 Major League Rugby season. The 30-year-old rugby league center is projected as a wing for RUNY. He is 6’2″and 220 lbs.

Marcus was born in Oregon but spent several years in Sigatoka, Fiji with his Fijian parents. While there, he attended Ratu Kadavulevu School and developed a love for rugby. He then moved to Sunnyvale, California and attended Fred C Beyer High School in Modesto, graduating in 2007.

Marcus joined the United State Air Force in 2007 and continued through 2014. He served in the 337th Air Control Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. His first year in the Air Force he played rugby with the Falcons and helped the team win their8th consecutive Armed Forces Championship. Based on his performance, he was named to the All-Tournament Team as an Honorable Mention. He also was selected to the US Combined Services Rugby team and played against a New Zealand select side in Washington D.C.

Marcus has played representative rugby for several teams. In 2012 he played for Atlantis Rugby 7s at the Victoria International 7s Tournament. He then was named to the 2014 World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) while in the Air Force and also was selected to the USA Men’s Eagles 7s Residency program at Chula Vista, California ahead of the 2013-2014 IRB World Sevens Series. Marcus made his Eagles sevens debut at the Tokoya Sevens and played at the Hong Kong Sevens.

He then played in the 2014 Elite City 7s in Houston with the OMBAC 7s, losing in the Final to Seattle. He then moved to Connecticut and played with the Hartford Wanderers in 2014, the CT Bulldogs 7s, the USA Falcons at the Rugbytown 7s, and for Stars Rugby 7s at the Tobago International Rugby 7s. In 2015 he played for Mystic River, helping the team to a third-place finish at the USA Rugby Club Sevens Nationals. He also played with the Stars Rugby 7s at the New York 7s and New Haven for the 2015-2016 season.

In 2016 he turned to Rugby League, playing for the Brooklyn Kings and was selected to the North Conference All-Stars. He trailed with the Toronto Wolfpack against the Brighouse Rangers but was not selected to the team.

In 2017 he played with the USA Hawks Rugby League Team in the Americas Championship against Jamaica and then rugby union with USA Rugby South in a Rugby Americas North match against Mexico.

Marcus is currently the rugby coach for New Blue Rugby Club at Quinnipiac College.

Marcus is an experienced rugby player who should provide the flair of playing the expansive style of rugby that RUNY likes to employ. He is a great addition to the team.

Rugby United New York Comments

Satavu plays in the center in the league due to his combination of size, speed, and finesse but will most likely slide to the wing for RUNY.

Manager James English describes Satavu as an “offensive spark” able to create opportunities out of very little which will help a RUNY side with a number of ongoing, nagging injuries to key back players. With his league background, Satavu is no slouch on defense either just as capable of sealing off the edge as he is breaking past it.

Having joined the RUNY camp for training throughout the week I know all Rooster Boosters will look forward to seeing the athleticism of Satavu light up the MLR. Commenting on his addition the Fijian American said: “The boys have all been very welcoming, I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent RUNY and it is an honor to be able to be a part of MLR history!”