The Los Angeles Giltinis selected Watson Filikitonga with their first selection of the Major League Rugby Draft. The team traded their first-round pick, the second selection of the draft to NOLA Gold in exchange for NOLA Gold’s second-round pick, as well as a for a foreign player slot in 2021.
Watson is a 22-year-old center, is 6’1″ and 215 lbs. He was born in Tonga but raised in San Mateo, California, and attended San Mateo High School. He concentrated on football while in high school and was a running back and middle linebacker. His brother, USA Eagle #470 Lemoto Filikitonga finally got him into Rugby at the end of high school before he graduated in 2015.
He considered attending the University of Hawaii, However, Iona College Head Coach Bruce McLane recruited him and he’s been a physical presence in the Gael’s Midfield as a ball carrier and defender.
Other Articles
DJCoil Rugby articles by Doug Coil are also available on Facebook. Other Social Media sites to follow or subscribe include Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for interviews.
