The Seattle Seawolves signed Lopeti Aisea for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. He was scouted at the Seawolves Talent ID Camp in August 2021 and becomes the first homegrown Oregon player to sign for the Pacific Northwest Major League Rugby (MLR) Club. The 25-year-old center/wing is 6’0″ and 230 lbs.
Lopeti and his older brothers Sione, Usaia, and younger brother Pone are from Portland, Oregon with Tongan parents, who moved to the United States to raise their family. Lopetit played varsity football since his freshman year when he was 14 while at Lincoln High School. His father, Sione Aisea Sr. was the rugby coach at the school and just like his older brothers, he played rugby and football.
Lopeti played rugby his freshman and sophomore years for the Lincoln Cardinals, and in April 2013 toured England with the USA Under-17s at the RFU Wellington College International Rugby Festival. His junior and senior year in high school he played for the Beaverton Barbarians and helped them win the Oregon State Championship his senior year in 2015. He also played for the Oregon Redhawks all four years of high school against regional select sides.
After high school, he played for the Eastside Tsunami, and played for the Oregon Rugby Sports Union (ORSU) in the Silver Cup bracket, held at Starfire Stadium. He attended the Seattle Seawolves’ Talent ID Camp in August, where he was identified as a potential player by head coach Allen Clarke and general manager Pate Tuilevuka.
Seattle Seawolves Comments
“We’re delighted to announce Lopeti to our roster for MLR 2022,” said Seawolves director of rugby and head coach Allen Clarke. “He is a tremendous example to all aspiring young players having been identified at our first talent identification camp back in August and reflects everything we stand for as a Club with a mission to develop local talent. I’m sure his coaches at Lincoln High School, Beaverton Barbarians, Oregon RedHawks, and Eastside Tsunami are extremely proud and share in his achievement. We welcome his wife, Akanesi, and daughters Lineni, Luana, and Mele, to our Seawolves family.”
“I’m just grateful for this opportunity to play quality rugby with the Seawolves and other players from all over the world,” said Aisea.
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