The Utah Warriors re-signed Viliame ‘Puna’ Vuli or the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 25-year-old lock/flanker is 6’7″ and 265 lbs.
Puna played in all five matches during the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season, starting the final match at lock.
He was introduced as being with the team in the Utah Media Guide, but the Guide did not distinguish players on MLR or training squad contracts. Vili was signed for the 2019 season but did not play during the regular season.
Vili is from Suva, Fiji, and attended Queen Victoria School from 2010-2013. Upon graduation, he attended the University of the South Pacific from 2014-2015. Following his move to Santa Rosa, California, he attended Santa Rosa Junior College in 2016.
He played rugby in Fiji with QVSOB Rugby Club in 2014-2015 and SGSOB Rugby Club in 2015. In the United States, he played for Santa Rosa and for Redwood Empire Rugby Clubs. He also played for Lomaiviti Barbarians in the 2018 and 2019 Rugbytown 7s.
Puna is a force in the lineouts and in covering the pitch and is expected to contribute to the Utah Warriors in 2020.
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