Old Glory signed utility back William Talataina-Mu for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old center/flyhalf is 6’2″ and 227 lbs.
William is from Auckland, New Zealand, and attended Auckland Grammar School, where he played rugby. He played with the New Zealand Under-19s, as well as for the Samoan Under-20 squad in 2014.
He also played with Auckland A in the 2014 Hobbs Memorial National U19s tournament and has played club rugby with Auckland, as well as in the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup and in 2021 in the Bunnings National Rugby Championship
William has played senior club rugby with the Ponsonby Ponies since at least 2015 and was the team’s captain at the 71st Singapore Cricket Club International Rugby Sevens Tournament in 2018, the third oldest sevens tournament in the world. In 2021 the team lost in the final of the Waka National Challenge Cup, which was the first time in a few seasons of winning championships.
In 2017, William signed with the New Zealand National Provincial Championship side, the Southland Stags, and played 93 minutes in 5 ITM Cup matches.
William’s senior international career has him playing in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge in 2018 in a win against Fiji and losses against Tonga and Japan. He started all three matches, playing 224 minutes.
Old Glory DC Comments
“I am excited about this new opportunity that Old Glory has given me,” said William Talataina on signing with Old Glory. “There have been a few nice signings, which I’m sure excites everyone for the upcoming season. I’m looking forward to meeting all the boys and coaching staff and am keen to start our journey into the 2022 season, putting our best foot forward. It’s going to be a thrilling year all around, and I’m sure none of you fans will want to miss out.”
“We’re really excited to have William at Old Glory,” said Head Coach Andrew Douglas. “He’s a versatile, talented back. Will can play 10-13, and his creativeness and ball skills will be valuable for creating opportunities on the field. He knows a number of the boys already through the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand, and he comes highly recommended as a team man and excellent player.
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