The Seattle Seawolves signed Tavite Lopeti through the 2024 Major League Rugby season. The 23-year-old center is 5’10” and 210 lbs.
Tavite played in the 2021 USA Club Sevens Nationals with Life West Gladiators and his performance led to being drafted by the Seawolves in the 2021 MLR Collegiate draft.
He attended the 2021 USA u23 High-Performance Camp and beat the All-Canadian Universities XV team. This led to his selection with the USA National Team making his debut against Canada at St John’s, Newfoundland on September 4, 2021. The last of his 5 tests, starting 4, was against New Zealand All Blacks at FedEx Field on October 23, 2021. He has scored one try in test play.
Tavite is from Haywood, California. He attended Tennyson High School, graduating in 2016, and playing basketball and football. He played for the USA Rugby U19s against Canada in 2016.
Tavite attended Saint Mary’s College of California and played rugby. He was a 2019 Collegiate All-American 1st team selection, as well as a Rudy Scholz Award nominee.
Seattle Seawolves Comments
“I first watched Tavite playing for Saint Mary’s College in May and knew instantly he was a player I wanted to sign. His movement, communication, athleticism, and skills were stand out. As I grow to know Peti, it’s apparent he is highly principled, ambitious but modest, with the work ethic to be a top-class professional.
To think he has already represented the Eagles in World Cup qualifiers scoring a try on his debut is testament to his quality and temperament as a young man. I know his family, his coaches, and teammates at Saint Mary’s are extremely proud.
For all associated with the Seawolves, we are delighted to welcome Peti to our family and look forward to seeing him flourish in a Seawolves jersey for the next 3 years.” –Allen Clarke, head coach and director of rugby
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