The Utah Warriors re-signed Jared Whippy for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 30-year-old center/wing is 5’11” and 225 lbs.
When Jared is on the pitch, he is an elusive attacker. Unfortunately for him, a broken leg in 2018, has limited his play to five regular-season matches in the three seasons as a Warrior. It is hoped that in 2021 that he has a breakout season and the fans see him back in form again.
During the COVID shortened 2020 MLR season, Jared returned to action as a replacement in the final three matches. The Warriors announced his return to the team in 2019, however, he did not play as he was still recovering from his 2018 leg injury.
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. He played 129 minutes as a starter in two matches and scored a try.
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.
In 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 that made him a key member of the backline. 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 are invaluable.
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