The 2022 Major League Rugby Championship between Rugby New York and the Seattle Seawolves will be held on Saturday, June 25 at Red Bull Arena. The kickoff is at noon ET and the match will be broadcast on Fox, and internationally on The Rugby Network with a 24-hour delay in the U.S. Support rugby by purchasing tickets and by viewing the match on Fox, so that more rugby coverage will exist in the future.
Both teams enter the match with four-game winning streaks, after winning their respective Conference Finals. Rugby New York defeated the New England Free Jacks 24-16, while the Seattle Seawolves defeated the Houston SaberCats 46-27. Rugby New York also defeated the Seattle Seawolves 30-22 on May 15, the team’s last loss.
For the Seawolves, it is a chance to win their third MLR Shield. They won the first two in 2018 and 2019, and enter the match never having lost a playoff match with six wins. Rugby New York moved to within one match of the MLR Shield Final in both 2019 and 2021, with only three points separating them from the teams that advanced. Will New York win its first title in the team’s history at home?
Red Bull Arena has hosted two previous rugby events. In 2016 the Saracens played the London Irish in an English Premiership regular-season match in front of 15,000 fans and the following year the USA Men’s National Team played Ireland with 22,000 fans in attendance.
Team Changes, Comments, Plus Team Player Bios Below
Squads with Player Article Links
Rugby New York: 1 Chance Wenglewski 2 Dylan Fawsitt 3 Wilton Rebolo 4 Ben Bonasso 5 Nate Brakeley (C) 6 Will Tucker 7 Brendon O’Connor 8 Antonio Kiri Kiri 9 Andy Ellis 10 Jack Heighton 11 Andrew Coe12 Jason Emery 13 Faasiu Fuatai 14 Waisake Naholo 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder 16 Kaleb Geiger 17 Nic Mayhew 18 Kalolo Tuiloma 19 Nick Civetta 20 Joe Basser 21 Conor McManus 22 Sam Windsor 23 Quinn Ngawati
Seattle Seawolves: 1 Mzamo Majola 2 James Malcolm 3 Sam Matenga 4 Samu Manoa 5 Rhyno Herbst 6 Andrew Durutalo 7 Travis Larsen 8 Riekert Hattingh (C) 9 JP Smith10 AJ Alatimu 11 Martin Iosefo 12 David Busby 13 Dan Kriel 14 Ross Neal 15 Mat Turner 16 Sean McNulty 17 Kellen Gordon 18 Taniela Tupou 19 Brad Tucker 20 Tommy Clark 21 Reid Watkins 22 Tavite Lopeti 23 Lauina Futi
Rugby New York Squad
The following players were included on matchday rosters for Rugby New York during the season. Pago Haini and Troy Lockyear had season-ending injuries and were replaced on the roster by Antonio Kiri Kiri and Nehe Milner-Skudder. Apenisa Cakaubalavu left the team for personal reasons and was replaced by Waisake Naholo. Cuyler McCorkingdale was signed by the team on an Associate contract and played during the preseason. Other Academy players also regularly attended practice and contributed to the team’s success. The team consisted of fewer overall players than many teams, many of whom signed players to Associate contracts or their Academies.
For a more extensive resume about their background, click on the player links below.
- Props: Nic Mayhew, Wilton Rebolo, Peter Reyes, Sakaria Taulafu, Kalolo Tuiloma, Chance Wenglewski
- Hooker: Dylan Fawsitt , Kaleb Geiger
- Locks: Nate Brakeley, Nick Civetta, Charlie Hewitt, Will Tucker
- Back Row: Joe Basser, Ben Bonasso, Victor Evans II, Jonathan Grezeszczyk, Pago Haini, Antonio Kiri Kiri, Brendon O’Connor, Kara Pryor
- Scrumhalf: Connor Buckley, Andy Ellis, Conor McManus
- Flyhalf: Jack Heighton, Sam Windsor
- Centers: Jason Emery, Faasiu Fuatai, Quinn Ngawati
- Back Three: Apenisa Cakaubalavu, Andrew Coe, Ed Fidow, Troy Lockyear, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, John Powers, Ishmail Shabazz
Forwards
Joe Basser is a young dual national flanker, who was born in Manhattan and raised in Australia. He played in the Shute Shield for the Hunter Wildfires, the Melbourne Rebels u19s, and at the University of Melbourne.
Benja Bonasso has 2 USA Caps and is a member of the USA National Team player pool. He joined Rugby New York in 2021 and also played for He played for Club Newman in Argentina. He has been named to the 30-man USA Team for the 2022 Summer Series against the French Barbarians and the Rugby World Cup two-match qualifier against Chile.
Nate Brakeley has been an ironman at lock, and recently had a couple of weeks to recharge following his marriage. Eagle 469, who played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup has 30 caps is back in the squad. He has also played in the Varsity match for Cambridge, as well as for New York Athletic Club. He has been named to the 30-man USA Team for the 2022 Summer Series against the French Barbarians and the Rugby World Cup two-match qualifier against Chile.
Nick Civetta is Eagle 498 and has 33 USA caps. He appeared in the Varsity Match in April for Oxford in its win over Cambridge and scored a try. He has played professionally in France for Vannes (15x), in the United Kingdom for the English Premiership Newcastle Falcons, and in The RFU Championship for the Doncaster Knights. He also played in Italy for Lazio, Rugby Viadana, and I Medicei. He also played club rugby for the New York Athletic Club and San Francisco Golden Gate RFC. He has been named to the 30-man USA Team for the 2022 Summer Series against the French Barbarians and the Rugby World Cup two-match qualifier against Chile.
Victor Evans II is from Dallas, Texas, and played football at Ole Miss, was invited to training camp with the Washington Commanders, and as a crossover athlete, played rugby with the American Raptors before joining Rugby New York.
Dylan Fawsitt, Eagle 523 with 20 USA caps, is a fiery player and leader at hooker, who also has played for Rugby New York in the back row. He has been with the team since 2018 and previously played for Life University, Old Blue RFC, and St. Mary’s in the All-Ireland Division 1 League. Dylan is also the 4th player in the league to play in 50 MLR matches. Dylan was named Rugby New York’s 2022 Walking the Steel Award, “For showing us the right way.”
Kaleb Geiger, who plays hooker and back row, has been impressive this season as a try-scorer, in the scrums, and with ball-in-hand. He was a crossover athlete who played for the American Raptors. Kaleb was named Rugby New York’s 2022 Apprentice of the Year, “For making an impact on the new job.”
Jonathan Grezeszczyk is from Middletown, Connecticut, and attended Xavier High School. He played rugby at Sacred Heart University and with the Fairfield Yankees. He also played with the Hartford Harpooners, White Plains, the Connecticut Selects, and the NY Foundry. He played during the 2022 preseason for Rugby New York, as well as was on several matchday 23s.
Pago Haini was born in American Samoa and grew up in Samoa. He attended Churchie, Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and Victoria University in New Zealand, before migrating to the USA. He played for the Samoan U19s, as well as their high-performance unit, trialed for Wellington Lions, and played for Wellington Samoan, Old Boys University Wellington, and Marist St. Pats RFC. He played for the USA Eagles 7s twice, for Santa Monica RFC, the USA Islanders, and New England Free Jacks, and was on the LA Giltinis Championship team in 2021 before joining Rugby New York for the 2022 season.
Charlie Hewitt played for the USA Selects, Worcester Warriors (5x) in the English Premiership and European Challenge Cup, the London Scottish in the RFU Championship, and the Houston SaberCats, from 2018 through his 2020 trade to Rugby New York. He also played for the USA Falcons in 2021.
Antonio Kiri Kiri joined Rugby New York in April as a replacement for the injured Pago Haini. He played in four HSBC World Sevens Series stops for the New Zealand All Blacks Sevens, and made 60 appearances for the Manawatu Turbos in the Mitre 10 Cup, and 3 Super Rugby appearances for the Blues, before playing with Yorkshire Carnegie and Leeds Tykes.
Nic Mayhew, who can play at either prop, played Super Rugby with the Blues (11x), the Brumbies (20x), and then with the Sunwolves. He also played in the National Provincial Championship with North Harbour and in the United Kingdom with the Harlequins, Esher, and the London Scottish.
Brendon O’Connor has played in 45 Super Rugby matches, for the Blues (42x) and the Crusader (3x). He played Mitre 10 Cup 59+ times for Hawkes Bay and 17 times for Canterbury. He also played for the Leicester Tigers an English Premiership club 73 times, including 53 in Premiership matches. He also added to his Super Rugby total, playing for the Sunwolves and the Crusaders. Brendon was named Rugby New York’s 2022 Ironworker Award, “For putting it all together every game.”
Kara Pryor played Mitre 10 Cup for Northland, and earlier for Auckland, for the Māori All Blacks, and Super Rugby with the Blues (23x) and with the Sunwolves.
Wilton Rebolo played 33 matches for Brazil and played club rugby for São José, Band Saracens, the Bandeirantes Rugby Club, and Pasteur Athletique. He joined Rugby New York last year.
Peter Reyes is from Brooklyn, New York, and played rugby at Xavier High School, Wheeling Jesuit, and Kutztown University. He also played for White Plains and Old Blue Rugby Clubs, as well as for the NY Foundry, Rugby New York’s Academy. Peter was a late replacement in a regular-season match at hooker and was on the matchday roster at loosehead prop, as well. He also played with USA Rugby South U23s and the Senior Men’s team and was recently invited to play for the Panthers in 2022 against Columbia and Mexico.
Sakaria Taulafu was born in Samoa and has 44 caps for the National Team, playing in Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015. He played for the Tasman Makos, the Wasps in the English Premiership, in the French Top 14 League for Stade Francais, with Ceret in the French Federale 1 League, and with the Colorado Raptors.
Will Tucker played for the New Zealand U20s, and Mitre 10 Cup for Canterbury and Otago. He was selected for the Highlanders tour to South Africa and Argentina, as well as playing club rugby with Christchurch RFC.
Kalolo Tuiloma has two caps for Samoa, as well as playing two matches for the national team against the Māori All Blacks. That total will grow with his selection for Samoa at the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup in July. Kalolo is a powerful 300+ lb man, who has made the highlight videos for his tackles, tries, and for his behind the back passes. Kalolo, “The Bulldozer”, played in the National Provincial Championship (Mitre 10 Cup) for Counties Manukau and Northland played Super Rugby for the Highlanders (10x), and also played during 2020 all five MLR matches for the Utah Warriors.
Chance Wenglewski, Eagle 531 loosehead prop, has 8 USA caps and is part of the USA extended squad for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Chile in July along with Dylan Fawsitt. Nat Brakeley, Nick Civetta, and Ben Bonasso. Chance played for Rugby ATL during their exhibition season in 2019 and then in 2020 and 2021. He also played for Rugby New York on loan in 2019, appearing in 3 matches. He was both a High School and Collegiate All-American (Lindenwood U.) and worked his way to the National Team after playing age-grade rugby. He has been named to the 30-man USA Team for the 2022 Summer Series against the French Barbarians and the Rugby World Cup two-match qualifier against Chile. Chance was named Rugby New York’s 2022 Superstructure Award, “For holding it all together.”
Backs
Connor Buckley is a local talented scrumhalf from Rockaway Beach. He played rugby for Xavier High School and was an All-American at Iona College. This season saw him seeing increased playing time during the regular season. He also played with NYAC in the American Premiership.
Apenisa Cakaubalavu joined the team in 2021, playing in 13 matches and scoring six tries. He has 23 caps for the Fiji Sevens. He left the team earlier in the 2022 season for personal reasons, returning to Fiji.
Andrew Coe is a Canadian international XVs (14 tests) and Sevens player (about 40 matches) and an Olympian (Tokyo). he also played at the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast and the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco. He also played rugby with the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
Andy Ellis won the RWC in 2011 and the All-Black 1068 scrumhalf has 28 caps. He also made 154 Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders, made 73 senior rugby appearances for Canterbury, and played for six years in the Japanese Top League for the Kobelco Steelers.
Jason Emery played twice for the Māori All Blacks and played 57 Super Rugby matches, 22 with the Sunwolves and 37 with the Highlanders. He also played in Japan with the Munakata Sanix Blues and in what is now the NPC with Manawatu Turbos. Jason was named Rugby New York’s 2022 Players’ Player of the Year.
Ed Fidow has 14 caps for Samoa and was recently selected for the Pacific Nations Cup for Samoa in July. He also made 46 appearances for the Samoa Sevens Team. He’s played rugby with the Worcester Warriors in the English Premiership (8 appearances), played in France with the Bordeaux Bègles (11x), and Provence (23x), Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship. Ed was the 2022 MLR leading try scorer with 12 tries and #3 in ball carry meters with 1631 with Fasi Fuatai also in the top 10. Ed was named Rugby New York’s 2022 Cowboy of the Sky Award, “For changing the skyline.”
Fa’asiu Fuatai played twice for the New Zealand Sevens in 2017 and played 50 times in the Mitre 10 Cup (now NPC,) making 28 appearances with Otago and 22 with the Bay of Plenty. He also played for a season with the Bordeaux Bègles in France.
Jack Heighton played with the Super Rugby Blues and with North Harbour in the National Provincial Championship. jack was 10th in MLR in points scored with 67.
Troy Lockyear, who is from Heversham, England, and attended Eton College is otherwise known as “The Magician”. he spent time at the Wasps Academy, and played at the University of California, Berkeley where he was a Collegiate All-American in both rugby 7s and XVs, before joining New York in 2020.
Cuyler McCorkindale is from Ridgewood, New Jersey, and played rugby at Mount St Mary’s University. Cuyler also played for the Crusaders Academy and Marist Albion in New Zealand, for the Old Glory Selects, and for the NY Foundry, Rugby New York’s Academy team.
Conor McManus provides coverage at scrumhalf. He’s played for the Crusader Knights and the Canterbury Mitre 10 squad, as well as for Old Blue in the American Rugby Premiership. Although born in New Zealand, he lived in Virginia and was a USA High School All-American.
Nehe Milner-Skudder, All Black 1146 fullback/wing, won the 2015 Rugby World Cup and has 13 caps. He played for the World XV in 2018, the Barbarians twice, the Māori All Blacks three times, the Super Rugby Hurricanes 36 times, and recently appeared with the Highlanders. He also played in 57 Mitre 10 matches with the Manawatu Turbos.
Waisake Naholo, All Black 1142 wing, won the 2015 Rugby World Cup and has 27 caps. He played twice for the Barbarians, as well as the Super Rugby Blues, and made 62 appearances for the Highlanders. He also played 9 times for the All Blacks 7s team, played for the London Irish in the English Premiership, and in 2021 in the NPC for Canterbury.
John Powers is a local player from Rockaway Park. He played at Xavier High School, and Iona College as well as spent the 2021 season with the Utah Warriors, and played with NYAC in the American Premiership before joining Rugby New York this season. John was named Rugby New York’s 2022 Blacksmith of the Year, “For getting the steel ready.”
Ismail Shabazz is a crossover athlete who played football at the University of Oregon before joining the rugby team. He played for Te Awamutu Sports Rugby Club in New Zealand and Pathway 404, Rugby ATL’s Academy Team.
Sam Windsor is Major League Rugby’s all-time scoring leader with 448 points. He played in MLR for 4 years with the Houston SaberCats before joining Rugby New York this year. He was the third person to play in 50 MLR matches and the first to start in 50. He is a versatile player who can play flyhalf, inside the center or fullback. He’s played with the Queanbeyan Whites, DUFC (Dublin University), the NSW Country Eagles in the National Rugby Championship, the Worcester Warriors, and Ulster in Pro 12 Rugby. Despite playing in MLR for five years, this is the first time he will be in the playoffs.
Seattle Seawolves
The following players were included on matchday rosters for the Seattle Seawolves during the season. The Seawolves have had several injuries this season, so some of the players listed below only played briefly with the team this season.
For a more extensive resume about their background, click on the player links below.
- Props: Dewald Donald, Kellen Gordon, Mzamo Majola, Sam Matenga, Tim Metcher, Taniela Tupou,
- Hooker: Augusto Bohme, Mike Brown, James Malcolm, Sean McNulty
- Locks: Victor Comptat, Setefano Funaki, Rhyno Herbst, Ben Landry, Samu Manoa
- Back-Row: Tommy Clark, Andrew Durutalo, Riekert Hattingh, Travis Larsen, Nakai Penny, Brad Tucker
- Scrumhalf: JP Smith, Reid Watkins
- Flyhalf: AJ Alatimu, Tai Enosa
- Centers: Lopeti Aisea, David Busby, Kieran Joyce, Dan Kriel, Tavite Lopeti, Josh Whippy
- Back Three: Lauina Futi, Martin Iosefo, Duncan Matthews, Ross Neal, Jeremiah Sio, Mat Turner, Darell Williams, Cole Zarcone
Forwards
Augusto Böhme is from Santiago, Chile, and played club rugby with Universidad Católica and professionally for Selknam Rugby in the Super liga de American de Rugby (SLAR). He has 16 international test caps for Chile. Augusto was loaned to the Dallas jackals during the season and returned to Seattle after an injury.
Mike Brown was a Collegiate All-American Honorable mention at Bowling Green State University, played with the Scottish Premiership’s Glasgow Hawks, and then for Old Blue in the American Rugby Premiership. he played for Austin Elite Rugby, Rugby United New York, and NYAC Rugby before joining the Seawolves this season.
Tommy Clark grew up in Olympia, Washington, and played with Budd Bay RFC, was a Collegiate All-American at American International College, and he played with the USA U20s before joining the Seawolves in 2021.
Victor Comptat was born in Los Angeles and was a USA High School All-American and played for the USA U20s. He played in France with the RCT Toulon Academy, CA Brive Rugby, Rugby Club MASSY Essonne, and for the French Fédérale 1 club, Olympique Marcquois. He also played MLR for the Houston SaberCats, and San Diego Legion before joining the Seattle Seawolves during the 2021 season.
Dewald Donald is from Pretoria, South Africa, and played for the University of Pretoria, Blue Bulls Academy, and played in the 2021 Currie Cup Premier Division.
Andrew Durutalo was born in New York City and moved with his family to Suva, Fiji. He has played representative rugby in both Fiji and the U.S., playing for the Fiji U19s and the USA U21s. He has represented the Eagles 7s in 40 competitions, played in the 2013 Rugby World Cup 7s, and was an Olympian in 2016. He also has earned 22 caps for the Eagles XVs and played in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He has played club rugby for OMBAC and Seattle Old Puget Sound Beach. he played Super Rugby with the Sunwolves, in the English Premiership with the Worcester Warriors, and the Greene King IPA Championship with the Ealing Trailfinders. He has played with the Seattle Seawolves in 2020, as well as playing the last two years with Oxford University where he played in the last two Varsity Matches.
Setefano Funaki is from Tonga and played rugby in New Zealand with Waipu Rugby, Auckland Development, and Northland in the Mitre 10 Cup. He has two caps for Tonga, including another match against the French Barbarians.
Kellen Gordon is Seattle RFC’s Director of Rugby. He played at Central Washington University, with Canterbury’s International High-Performance Unit in New Zealand, and both XVs and 7s with Seattle. He has been with the Seawolves since 2018.
Riekert Hattingh is the Seattle Seawolves team captain and has been with the team since 2018. He grew up in Pretoria, South Africa, played age-grade for the Bull Bulls, and in the Vodacom Cup with the Golden Lions. He played Super Rugby with the Bull Bulls and in the Currie Cup. He moved to the U.S. and played with the Austin Blacks, the Ohio Aviators, Scioto Valley/Columbus RFC, and Tiger Rugby. He has two caps for the USA Men’s National Team.
Rhyno Herbst is from Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa, and played age-grade rugby with the Golden Lions. He played with the Golden Lions XV Currie Cup team and then for the Super Rugby Lions.
Ben Landry earned Collegiate All-American honors at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He played for the USA National team (Eagles 471) earning 25 caps, including playing in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He played for the Denver Stampede, Seattle RFC, Glendale Raptors, the Ealing Trailfinders, and New England Free Jacks before signing with the Seawolves in 2021. He also was signed to play in the NFL in 2016.
Travis Larsen grew up in Paihia, New Zealand, and later lived in Vancouver, British Columbia. He played with Marist North Harbour and with Massey University, and New Zealand Universities. He played in Italy for Lyons Piacenza and then for Petrarca Padova. He played MLR with the Austin Elite, Old Glory DC, and San Diego Legion before joining the Seawolves in 2021.
Mzamo Majola is from Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa, and played age-grade through Super Rugby for the Sharks. He played PRO14 Rugby for the Southern Kings before returning to the Sharks for the Currie Cup, Super Rugby, Super Rugby South Africa, and the Pro14 Rainbow Cup South Africa.
James Malcolm is from Glasgow, Scotland, and represented Scotland through age-grade levels. He played with Ayr Rugby Football Club in the Scottish Premiership and the PRO12 Rugby Glasgow Warriors. He joined the seawolves in 2021.
Samuel Matenga was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, and spent time in Sydney, Australia, before moving back to New Zealand. He played for Linwood Rugby Club, Christchurch Football Club, the New Zealand Schools Barbarians, the Tasman Mako in the Bunnings NPC, and Kahurangi Rugby Club.
Sean McNulty was born in London to Irish parents and moved to Rye, New York, where he qualifies for the U.S. based on residency. He represented both Ireland and US. age-grade teams, and played for Leinster A, and the senior side in preseason games. He played in the MLR for Rugby United New York, New England Free Jacks, and LA Giltinis, before joining the Seawolves mid-season.
Tim Metcher, who has played with the Seawolves since 2018, became the second player to play in 50 MLR matches in February. He’s played with Southern Districts, in the Shute Shield, and for Counties Manukau in New Zealand.
Nakai Penny was born in Penticton, British Columbia, and played rugby at the University of British Columbia. He played for Canadian U20s, the BC Bears, and has made three test appearances for Canada’s Senior Men’s Team. He joined the Seawolves in 2018.
Brad Tucker is from Christchurch, New Zealand. He played club rugby with the Hamilton Marist and New Plymouth OB. He played Mitre 10 Cup for Waikato, Taranaki, and the Manawatu Turbos. He also played for New Zealand Marist, Christchurch, and with the Old Boys Marist. Brad joined the Seawolves in 2019 and potentially could play in the 2022 MLR Shield Final against his brother Will, who plays for Rugby New York.
Taniela Tupou played football at the University of Washington and with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks along with brief stints with other teams. He joined the American Raptors as a crossover athlete, playing in the XV Series before joining the Seawolves.
Backs
Lopeti Aisea signed with the Seawolves after attending their Talent ID Camp this past summer. He played with the USA U17s, Eastside Tsunami, and played for the Oregon Rugby Sports Union.
AJ Alatimu was born in Apia, Samoa, and has been capped for Samoa six times. That number should change as he was named to Samoa’s Pacific Nation Cup side for July. He has played for the Perth Spirit, GPS Gallopers, Brisbane City, and Western Force before joining the Seawolves in 2021.
David Busby is from Portadown, Northern Ireland, and played for the Ireland U20s, and Queen’s University. He played for Ulster in the PRO 14 competition, the Ireland Sevens Team in several tournaments, and helped Ballynahinch win the All Ireland League Division 1B Championship. He’s played with the Seawolves since 2020.
Tai Enosa was born in American Samoa and moved to California as a youth. He has played for the USA Eagles 7s team as well as for the Eagles XV six times. He played for Belmont Shorein winning the Divison 1 National Championship, the Oceanside Chiefs, and then for San Francisco Golden Gate in the Pacific Rugby Premiership. He joined the Seawolves after playing for the San Diego Legion.
Lauina Futi was born in Mapusagafou, American Samoa, and moved to California and then to Idaho. He played rugby with Boise United Rugby, Seattle RFC, and rugby 7s with the Westside Ronins. He joined the Seawolves mid-season last year.
Martin Iosefo was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Samoan parents, whose culture was instilled in the family. He played rugby at the University of Montana where he was an All-American in both 7s and XVs. He played rugby 7s at the USA Club Nationals with the Chicago Lions and at the Rugbytown Sevens with the Collegiate All-Americans. This led to his selection to the Eagles 7s where he played in 50 tournaments, the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, and the Olympics in Rio and Tokyo. He also played for the Eagles XVs team nine times and Eagle #500 has been named to the USA National Team 30-man squad for the Summer Series against the French Barbarians and the Rugby World Cup Qualifiers against Chile.
Kieran Joyce is from Solihull in Warwickshire, England, and Is of Irish heritage. He played for Ireland’s U18s, the U19s Sevens, and Ulster A. He played for Connacht Rugby and played in the Cara Cup against the New England Free Jacks in 2019. He joined the Seawolves in 2021.
Dan Kriel was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and played for the South Africa U20s, the University of Pretoria Tuks, and with the Blue Bulls for the Vodacom Cup, Currie Cup, and made 3 appearances with the Super Rugby side. He also played Super Rugby with the Stormers and won the 2017 Currie Cup Championship with Western Province. He also played with the Lions and Golden Lions in their Super Rugby, Currie Cup, and Rainbow Cup competitions. He joined the Seawolves this season.
Tavite Lopeti played at Saint Mary’s College of California where he was a 2019 Collegiate All-American 1st team selection, as well as a Rudy Scholz Award nominee. He also played for Life West and has been capped 5 times for the USA National Team.
Duncan Matthews was born in Atlantis, Western Cape, South Africa, and played with the Springboks U20s. He also played with the UP Tuks, and the Bull Bulls Currie Cup and Super Rugby sides, as well as the Currie Cup Golden Lions and Super Rugby Lions sides. He joined the Seawolves this season.
Ross Neal, who is from England, played with the London Irish and London Scottish before playing with the Wasps in the Premiership and the Heineken Champions Cup. He joined the Seawolves in 2021.
Jeremiah Sio was activated from the Seawolves Development side ahead of their week 12 match against the Utah Warriors. He also plays for Seattle Rugby Club.
Mat Turner, who is from South Africa, played for the University of Cape Town Ikea Tigers, the English Premiership side Bristol, and the Southern Kings, and played in 34 Sevens World Series tournaments for England. He joined the Seawolves in 2017 ahead of their inaugural season and has been a player and staff member since then.
Josh Whippy was signed to a short-term contract due to Seawolves’ injuries this season. He grew up in Suva, Fiji, moved to New Zealand, and then later to the U.S. He played at Brigham Young University, the Park City Haggis, Tiger Rugby, and the Utah Warriors.
Darell Williams, who is from San Francisco, played at San Francisco Community College, the Pacific Coast Grizzlies, Life University, Atlantic Old White at USA Club 7s Nationals, and Celtic Barbarians at the RugbyTown 7s. He was a 2021 draft selection for the Seawolves.
Cole Zarcone was a Collegiate All-American 7s and a 2020 Finalist for the Rudy Scholz College Player of the Year Award in XVs. He joined the Seawolves in 2021 and also played in the Premier Rugby Sevens.
Other Articles
DJCoil Rugby articles by Doug Coil are also available on Facebook. Other Social Media sites to follow or subscribe to include Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for interviews.
