The Seattle Seawolves are a professional rugby union team that has been inspiring fans since their inaugural season in 2017. Representing the city of Tukwila, Washington, the Seawolves play their home games at Starfire Stadium and compete in Major League Rugby (MLR), the top-level rugby union competition in America. With an exciting style of attacking play and talented players from around the world, they have quickly become one of MLR’s most popular teams. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just looking for some thrilling entertainment, come join The Wolfpack to experience some excellent live action.
1. Mathew Turner
Career
- 2007–2008: Western Province
- 2008: UCT Ikey Tigers
- 2008–2010: Bristol
- 2015: Western Province
- 2018: present Seattle Seawolves
- 2009: Southern Kings
- 2008–2013: England Sevens
Turner was born in Cape Town, South Africa on 18 January 1988. Turner attended Bishop's College in Cape Town where he played rugby union for the school team.
He made his provincial debut for Western Province in 2007 and has since played over 100 matches for the province, including 43 as a fullback.
In 2009, Turner moved to England to study at the University of Cambridge but returned to play rugby for Western Province two years later.
In 2013, Turner left Western Province to join the French side Brive. He departed Brive after one season and currently plays club rugby with Worcester Warriors in the English Premiership.
Turner is married with three children and lives near Cape Point, South Africa. Mathew Turner was born and raised in Bristol, England. He made his first-team debut for UCT Ikey Tigers in 2008, before moving to Western Province later that year. In 2015, he joined the Seattle Seawolves as a player/coach.
He retired from playing at the end of 2018 after not being selected for any Currie Cup matches this season due to injury concerns. Mathew has represented England Sevens on several occasions, as well as Southern Kings (the South African national rugby union team).
His most notable moment came when he helped lead England to victory over Australia in the 2013 Rugby World Cup Final in London...
2. Brad Tucker
Career
- 2019–2022: Seattle Seawolves
- 2023: New York Ironworkers
- 2016: Waikato
- 2017: Taranaki
- 2018: Manawatu
Brad Tucker is a lock and flanker who has played for New Zealand since 2011. He started his rugby union career at St Bede's College in Christchurch before moving to St Pius X College in Auckland.
In 2013, he joined Lincoln University and made an immediate impact as a first-grade player. In 2016, he was named the Most Improved Player in the Hawke’s Bay region after helping Lincoln win their first title in over 30 years.
Tucker represented New Zealand Under 20s before making his full international debut against Scotland in June 2011 aged just 18 years old.
He has won 24 caps for the All Blacks including appearances at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and 2017 Super Rugby season where they reached the final but lost to Australia Tucker played rugby for the Waikato in New Zealand before coming to the United States.
Tucker is a versatile player who can play as a flyhalf, fullback, or center. He has represented his country internationally and was part of the 2017 World Cup team that made it to the quarterfinals.
Tucker signed with Seattle Seawolves in 2018 and has since been an important part of their squad, helping them reach the playoffs this season.
Outside of rugby, Tucker enjoys playing tennis and golf and is also involved in charity work through his foundation which supports children's cancer research initiatives.
3. Andrew Durutalo
Career
- 2012: OPSB
- 2021–2022: Oxford University RFC
- 2017–2018: Ealing Trailfinders
- 2017–2018: Worcester Warriors
- 2018–2020: Ealing Trailfinders
- 2020: Seattle Seawolves
- 2016: Sunwolves
- 2006: Fiji U20
- 2012–2018: United States
- 2011–2017: United States
Andrew Durutalo is a retired international rugby union player who played for the Pacific Islanders in the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Durutalo made his debut for the Pacific Islands in 2012 and went on to make over 70 appearances across two seasons with the side.
He represented Oxford University RFC during his amateur career before joining Fiji's national team in 2016. After helping Fiji win silver at Rio de Janeiro Olympics, he announced his retirement from international rugby later that year.
Andrew currently works as a product manager for an online retailer in New York City and is also involved with charities like The Van Slyke Foundation, which helps underprivileged children around the world learn how to play sports safely and effectively.
In 2017, he was named one of Time magazine's Most Influential People Under 35 due to his work promoting healthy living among youth globally through sport Andrew Durutalo is a 31-year-old prop who has played for the Worcester Warriors in England and the Ealing Trailfinders in England's National Rugby Championship.
He was born on November 17, 1987, in Auckland, New Zealand. Andrew Durutalo debuted for the All Blacks against France at Eden Park on May 22, 2012, and made four further appearances during that year's Rugby World Cup campaign including playing off the bench in their semi-final victory over South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on October 20th of that same year.
In 2013 he moved to Europe where he joined Worcester Warriors from Super 14 side Crusaders before signing with English side Ealing Trailfinders ahead of the 2017–2018 season.
He has appeared 43 times for his country (including 12 Tests) since making his debut against France almost two years ago and is well-known as one of New Zealand’s most physical players both on and off the field
4. Juan-Philip Smith
Career
- 2010–2011: Border Bulldogs
- 2013–2015: Blue Bulls
- 2015: UP Tuks
- 2015: Blue Bulls
- 2016–2017: Free State XV 20
- 2017: Free State Cheetahs
- 2018: Southern Kings
- 2018: Eastern Province Elephants
- 2019: Seattle Seawolves
- 2014: South Africa U20
Juan-Philip Smith is a fly-half and scrum-half who currently plays for Seattle Seawolves in the USA Pro Rugby League. He has previously played for Border Bulldogs, Blue Bulls, and the University of Pretoria's rugby union team.
Juan-Phillip was born in Bloemhof, South Africa on 30 March 1994. At 1.87m (6ft 1+1⁄2in), he is tall enough to be an effective fly half or scrum half but also strong enough to carry the ball forward effectively when needed.
Juan-Phillip started playing rugby as a youth with Border Bulldogs before progressing through the ranks at Blue Bulls and University of Pretoria respectively, amassing over 100 caps between the ages of 18–21 years old during.
His amateur career before making his professional debut with Seattle Seawolves in 2017 Smith first found fame on the rugby field, where he was a part of South Africa's U20 side.
He made his international debut in 2014 and has since played for the senior side 10 times, scoring 8 tries. Smith is now playing in Major League Rugby with Seattle Seawolves and has already scored 23 points from 40 matches.
Also Played For: major league rugby
5. Nakai Penny
Career
- 2014-17: UBC Thunderbirds
- 2017: Westshore RFC
- 2018: Seattle Seawolves
- 2017: British Columbia Bears
- 2016: Canada U20
- 2019: Canada
Nakai Penny is a Canadian rugby player who has been playing for Seattle Seawolves in the American professional league. Nakai started his rugby career at Penticton Secondary School and then went on to play for the University of British Columbia before turning pro with Seattle Seawolves.
Nakai is primarily a flanker but can also play number 8 or 12, depending on the game situation. Nakai has made headlines recently as he was named in Canada's squad for the 2019 World Cup Qualifiers which will be held later this year in Argentina and Uruguay.
As one of only two Canadians in Seattle Seawolves' inaugural season, Penny will be looking to help his team achieve success both on and off the field during their inaugural campaign Nakai Penny is a professional rugby player who has played for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby.
Nakai Penny was born on October 2, 2000, in Victoria, British Columbia. As of February 2019, Nakai Penny has 25 appearances and 15 points with the Seattle Seawolves in the MLR competition.
Prior to joining the Seattle Seawolves, Nakai Penny spent two seasons playing for Canada's U20 side where he made one appearance and scored three points against Tonga at the 2018 World Junior Championship held in Japan.
In high school, Nakai attended Archbishop McNicholas High School where he captained their rugby team to a provincial championship title as a senior before going on to play for Simon Fraser University RFC (then known as UVic Vikes) during his final year of high school.
This helped him develop into an accomplished scrum half/10 which is what he plays currently professionally rugby-wise having been converted from full-back while still attending SFU.
6. Riekert Hattingh
Career
- 2016: Ohio Aviators
- 2018: Seattle Seawolves
- 2021: United States
Riekert Hattingh was born in Pretoria, South Africa on 5 March 1994. He is 1.95 m tall and weighs 100 kg (220 lb). Riekert started playing rugby union at the age of six and quickly became a key player for his club side in Pretoria.
In 2012, he signed a professional contract with French side Racing 92 and made his debut later that year against Toulouse Athletic Club in the Top 14 competition.
In 2013, Hattingh helped Racing reach the final of the European Champions Cup where they were narrowly defeated by Clermont Auvergne 58-56 in front of over 80 000 spectators at Twickenham Stadium in London England.
He also played for France's national team during their successful run to victory at the 2015 World Rugby Championship held in Australia, making five appearances off the bench including one start as a fullback against Italy.
On 18 September 2016, it was announced that Hattingh had agreed to join English outfit Saracens on a three-year deal from 2017 onwards following an impressive season that saw him make 27 starts for Racing 92 across all competitions scoring 12 tries Riekert Hattingh is a midfielder who currently plays for the Seattle Seawolves in the American Soccer League.
He has previously played for the Ohio Aviators and was part of their championship-winning team in 2016. In 2018, he moved to Seattle and helped them win the league title that year as well.
He represented his country at the youth level but hasn't yet made an appearance for the senior national team. Riekert is known for being very quick on the ball and can cause problems for opposing defenses with his passing ability.
7. Samu Manoa
Career
- 2003–2010: SFGG
- 2011–2015: Northampton Saints
- 2015–2018: Toulon
- 2018: Cardiff Blues
- 2019–present: Seattle Seawolves
- 2010: USA Selects
- 2010–2018: United States
- 2013: Barbarians
Samu Manoa is a rugby union player who has played for the United States Eagles since 2011. He was born in California in 1985 and began playing rugby at an early age.
In his senior career, he has been a part of several teams including the San Francisco Golden Gate Giants (2003-2010), Seattle Saracens (2011-2015), and most recently the New Zealand All Blacks (2018).
Samu Manoa is known for his strong defense and accurate kicking which have helped him become one of the best players in world rugby. Samu Manoa is an American rugby union player who has represented the United States national team.
He played for Northampton Saints from 2007 to 2016, before joining Toulon in 2017. In May 2018, he was called up to the Wales national team for their tour of New Zealand and Australia later that year. He made his debut for Wales on 10 June 2018 against Australia and scored a try in their 33-28 victory over New Zealand two days later.
In October 2018, Manoa announced his retirement from international rugby after 17 years with the USA Selects side; he had also previously retired from playing club rugby with Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of the 2017/18 season due to injury concerns stemming from a collision during training camp prior America's Test match against Canada earlier in 2018.
which ruled him out indefinitely while being treated at UCLA Medical Center as per protocol following concussion diagnosis; Newport GWT subsequently waived any possible contract termination fees should they wish to sign him back up again pending clearance by medical staff).
8. David Busby
Career
- 2020: Seattle Seawolves
- 2017–2019: Ulster
David Busby grew up in Portadown, Northern Ireland and attended local school, Portadown College. After graduating from college, David moved to England to study at Queen's University where he played rugby union for the university team.
David made his debut for Ulster in 2014 and has since gone on to make over 100 appearances for the province across all competitions. In 2017, David signed a three-year contract with French club Racing 92 following successful trials with the club.
In January 2019, David announced his retirement from professional rugby after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a Pro14 match against Edinburgh Rugby at Murrayfield Stadium; he will return full-time to Racing 92 as their head coach beginning in February 2019..
Outside of rugby, David is passionate about cooking and regularly posts recipes online; he also co-founded The Kitchen Brothers restaurant chain which has two restaurants located in Belfast and Dublin respectively.
He is married with one child David Busby is a professional rugby player who has spent the majority of his career playing for Seattle Seawolves in the North American Pro Rugby League.
David Busby was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland before moving to Seattle, Washington to start his senior rugby career. In 2020, David Busby will reach the end of his contract with Seattle Seawolves and he will be looking for new opportunities ahead.
David Busby has represented Ulster on five occasions and he has also played for England Saxons on two occasions. David Busby is a hard-working player who always puts everything into every game and he is an important part of the Seattle Seawolves team ethos.
9. Ross Neal
Career
- 2014–2017: London Irish
- 2016–2018: London Scottish
- 2018–2019: Wasps
- 2020: London Irish
- 2020:present Seattle Seawolves
- 2021: Saracens
Ross Neal was born in England on 3 December 1995. He played rugby union for Seattle Seawolves in the USA as a center and wing player. RossNeal has represented England at U16, U18, and U20 levels and made his senior debut for EPSF 2 North (the second tier of English rugby) in 2016 against Gloucester Rugby.
As well as playing rugby union, Ross Neal is also an accomplished cricketer who plays for Middlesex County Cricket Club in Division One of the County Championship.
In October 2017 he scored a century in Middlesex's first-ever home List A match against Durham Jets to help them win by 128 runs; this feat made him only the third Englishman ever to score a century batting first-up (after Graham Gooch and David Gower).
Considered one of England’s most promising young talents, RossNeal is tipped to make an impact at the international level within the next few years Ross Neal is a former rugby player who has played for London Irish and London Scottish since 2014.
In 2018, he joined Wasps in the English Premiership after impressing during a trial period with the team. He made his debut for Seattle Seawolves in their inaugural season of play in 2020 and has since been an important part of their squad.
Neal is known for his strong running game and defensive skills, which have led to him being widely considered one of England's top prop forwards. He will continue to represent Seattle Seawolves next season before moving on to another club at the end of 2020.
Also Played For: wasps rfc rugby
10. Tavite Lopeti
Career
- 2022: Seattle Seawolves
- 2021: United States
Tavite Lopeti was born in Hayward, California on 20 November 1998. He is a USA Rugby Union center and has played for the University of Utah and Utah Warriors.
His senior career started with the Eagles Sevens team where he won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Tavite made his full international debut for the United States against Romania in March 2018, scoring two tries in their victory over Romania (32-7).
Lopeti also represented his country at both the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship and the 2019 World Cup, helping them to fourth place in the latter tournament as captain of their side.
In October 2018 it was announced that Tavite had signed a three-year contract extension with Premiership club Saracens until 2021.
With 14 caps to his name, Tavite is one of America’s most experienced players when it comes to Test rugby.
A versatile forward or center, he has racked up 14 caps since making his debut against Romania in March 2018; including appearances at both the 2017 World Rugby U20 Championship and 2019 World Cup where they finished 4th respectively as captain.
Tavite Lopeti is a Samoan-born rugby player who currently plays for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby. He first came to prominence as a teenager, when he starred for Samoa at the Under-20 World Cup and made his debut for Manu Samoa later that year.
In 2018, Tavite helped guide Seattle to their first MLR title and was named MVP of the playoffs following an impressive performance against Los Angeles Gladiators.
With over 100 caps to his name, Tavite is one of Polynesian rugby's most experienced players and has proved himself time and again on the international stage.
Looking ahead to 2019, Tavite will be aiming to help lead Seattle back to championship glory after missing out on the title last season due to injury – can he achieve success once again?
11. Tim Metcher
Career
- 2010: Gungahlin Eagles
- 2011: Randwick
- 2012–2017: Southern Districts
- 2014: NSW Country Eagles
- 2015–2016: Melbourne Rising
- 2018–present: Seattle Seawolves
- 2019: Counties Manukau
- 2013: Force
- 2015−2017: Rebels
- 2011: Australia U20
Tim Metcher is a tighthead prop from Maroubra, New South Wales who has played for the Gungahlin Eagles in Canberra and Randwick in Sydney.
He made his senior rugby union debut for Southern Districts in 2014 and was part of the side which won promotion to the National Rugby Championship in 2016.
In 2018 he joined up with Gungahlin Eagles again, before signing with Randwick ahead of the 2019 season. Tim has represented Australia at the under-20 level and Newcastle Falcons at the colts level, playing 35 games between them including 2 Tests against England U21s (2013 & 2015).
Outside of rugby, he enjoys surfing and spending time with his family Tim Metcher is the Head Coach of Newcastle Country Eagles in New South Wales.
He has also been the Assistant Coach for Melbourne Rising and Seattle Seawolves in North America's National Rugby League (NRL).
Tim has extensive coaching experience at both club and international levels, including being an assistant coach with Australia's National Rugby League Development Squad from 2012-2015.
In 2016, he was appointed Head Coach of Newcastle Country Eagles where he led them to their first premiership victory since 1987 - a remarkable achievement for a developing side.
Tim is currently working as an Australian rugby consultant with NRL clubs Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons, as well as Canada's BC Bears RFC..
12. Ben Landry
Career
- 2015: Milwaukee Barbarians
- 2016: Denver Stampede
- 2018: Glendale Raptors
- 2018–2019: Ealing Trailfinders
- 2020: New England Free Jacks
- 2021: Seattle Seawolves
- 2016: United States
Ben Landry is a lock for the Denver Stampede in 2020. Ben was born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and attended school there before going on to study rugby union at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
In his senior year, he helped Milwaukee Barbarians win the USARU National Championship game against Seattle Saracens 33-26.
He has represented his country at U17, U20, and Junior levels and is looking forward to adding an Americas Rugby Championship title to his CV next year with Denver Stampede Ben Landry is a professional rugby player who has played for the Glendale Raptors in the United States.
He started playing rugby at a young age and quickly became one of the best players in his state. In 2016, he was called up to play with the United States national team and made an immediate impact, scoring five points in 25 appearances.
He is now considered one of the key players for the Glendale Raptors and looks set to continue his success on American soil moving forward.
13. AJ Alatimu
Career
- 2016: Perth Spirit
- 2017: Brisbane City
- 2020–2021: Western Force
- 2013: Samoa U20
- 2017: Samoa
AJ Alatimu is a talented rugby union player who has represented Samoa at the international level. He made his debut for Seattle Seawolves in 2017 and has since played an important role in their success, helping them win the 2019 USA Rugby National Championship.
AJ was born in Apia, Samoa, and attended James Cook High School before beginning his rugby career with local side Tafuna RFC.
His impressive performances have seen him earn selection for the Samoan national team and he is currently looking to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games.
Alongside his rugby commitments, AJ also works as a firefighter – one of many examples of his work ethic which has helped him achieve so much on the field of play AJ Alatimu is a talented rugby league player who has played for the Perth Spirit in the NRL. AJ Alatimu was born in Samoa and moved to Australia when he was young.
AJ Alatimu started playing Rugby League at an early age and quickly developed into one of the best players in his country. AJ Alatimu signed with the Perth Spirit in 2016 and has since become a key part of their squad.
AJ Alatimu is known for his powerful running attack which makes him very difficult to defend against, both on offense and defense.
Ajaltimu is also a skilled goal kicker, which has helped him score several crucial goals during his career thus far. In 2020, AJ Alatum joins the Western Force as their first-ever Samoan international player
14. Rhyno Herbst
Career
- 2012–2017: Golden Lions
- 2017–2018: Golden Lions XV
- 2017–2020: Golden Lions
- 2019–2020: Lions
- 2020: Seattle Seawolves
Rhyno Herbst is a lock for the South African rugby union team. He first played for their Under-16 and Under-18 sides before making his debut in 2014 against Wales.
He has since made 22 appearances, scoring two tries, and was part of the Springboks side that won the 2017 World Rugby Championship title in Japan. Rhyno also competed at the Rio Olympics where he helped his country to fourth place in the men's competition.
In December 2018, it was announced that Rhyno would join Premiership side Wasps on a three-year contract from January 2019 onwards.
A hard worker off the pitch as well, Rhyno owns his own barber shop which he runs with two friends full time. Although born in South Africa, Rhyno grew up in Roodepoort – giving him an intimate knowledge of both home grounds.
Outside of rugby union, you can find Rhyne enjoying spending time with family and friends or hitting some weights - keeping himself fit whilst honing his skills onfield.
Rhyno Herbst is a professional rugby union player who has played for the Lions since 2012. He made his senior debut in 2017 and has enjoyed some success with the team, including winning the Currie Cup in 2018.
However, he will be joining up with Seattle Seawolves next season after they secured his signature earlier this year. Rhyno is known for his powerful running style and strong defense, making him a valuable member of any side.
He is currently studying business at university to further enhance his career prospects outside of rugby union football.
15. Martin Iosefo
Career
- 2015: Denver
- 2022: Seattle Seawolves
- 2016–2019: United States
- 2014–2021: United States
Martin Iosefo is a 31-year-old American rugby union player who currently plays for Seattle Seawolves in the PRO D2 division of USA Rugby.
Martin first started playing rugby at the age of 13 and quickly progressed through the ranks, eventually making his debut for Denver Broncos as a 16-year-old center in 2015.
In total, Martin has played over 100 games for various clubs across North America and has scored over 1,000 points during his career to date.
With an impressive list of accolades already under his belt including two National Championship titles with Denver Broncos (2015 & 2017) and three championships with Seattle Seawolves (2017, 2018 & 2019), there's no doubt that Martin is one of the most successful players in American rugby history.
Martin Iosefo was born on 17 October 1992 in Kenya. He attended Mount Saint Scholastica College and played for the school's rugby team as a fly half or fullback.
In 2016, he moved to Seattle, Washington to play for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR). After one season with the Seawolves, Iosefo signed with London Irish of Aviva Premiership Rugby for the 2017–2018 season.
With London Irish, Iosefo won two Anglo-Welsh Cup titles: in 2018 and 2019; and made three appearances during England's tour of Australia later that year where they lost all four tests by an average score of 73 points each game.
On 5 April 2022, Martin Iosefo was named captain of the USA Eagles Sevens side ahead of their appearance at the Paris Sevens tournament which will be his first international sevens cap since making his debut against Portugal back in December 2020 during America's failed bid to qualify for Rio de Janeiro Olympics as part of Olympic Qualifying Tournament II.
16. James Malcolm
James Malcolm was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 23 September 1994. He attended Hutchesons' Grammar School before going to the University of Strathclyde to study medicine.
However, James became interested in rugby union and decided to give it a try at the age of 21 while still studying for his medical degree.
He made his professional debut with Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians in 2017 and has since played for Ayr RFC, Marr RFC, and Glengarry County Rugby Club as well as representing Scotland U20s and U21s internationally.
In 2018 he signed a new contract with Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians that will keep him at the club until the 2020-21 season. James Malcolm was born in Ayr, Scotland on 26th October 1995.
He made his debut for the Glasgow Warriors during the 2014-15 season and has since played a total of 13 games for them. Malcolm also played for London Scottish from 2015-2018 before moving to Dallas Jackals in 2019.
In 2020, he moved to Seattle Seawolves and has been a regular member of their squad ever since. Malcolm is an explosive player who loves running at defenders and making yards after contact; this makes him very difficult to stop when he is in the form.
He is currently contracted with Glasgow until 2021 but there are rumors that he could be offered a contract extension by the Warriors soon after this year's World Cup campaign finishes.
17. Dewald Donald
Career
- 2018: Blue Bulls
- 2021: Blue Bulls
Dewald Donald is a South African rugby union player who plays as a lock. He attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool before joining University of Pretoria, where he played for the university's team.
Donald made his debut for the Springboks in 2008 and has since represented them at the international level, winning 15 caps to date.
In 2013, he joined French side Racing 92 on a two-year contract but left after one season having failed to make an appearance for the club.
Donald returned to South Africa in 2016 and currently plays with Western Province Rugby Club in the Currie Cup competition; he also represents Griquas at the national level. Dewald Donald is married and has three children.
His eldest child was born while he was playing for the Springboks in their victory over England at Twickenham Stadium during the 2017 Six Nations Championship Dewald Donald played for the Blue Bulls in 2018 and 2019.
Dewald has a youth career that stretches back to 2017 when he made appearances for the U18s. In 2021, Dewald made his senior debut for the Blue Bulls and scored five points in 1 game during the season.
Dewald is not only an accomplished player on the court but also holds down a spot on their leadership group as well; having been named captain of their Varsity Cup side in 2020. As one of South Africa's brightest young talents, we can expect big things from Dewald Donald going forward - both domestically and internationally.
18. Dan Kriel
Career
- 2010: Sharks
- 2013–2015: Blue Bulls
- 2015–2016: UP Tuks
- 2015–2016: Blue Bulls
- 2016: Blue Bulls XV
- 2016: Bulls
- 2017–2019: Stormers
- 2017–2019: Western Province
- 2020–2021: Lions
- 2020–2021: Golden Lions
- 2022: Seattle Seawolves
- 2014: South Africa Under
Dan Kriel is a rugby union player who currently plays for the Seattle Seawolves in the North American Rugby Premiership (NAP). Dan first rose to prominence as a youngster with the Sharks, before joining Blue Bulls in 2013-15.
A versatile player, Dan has also featured at center and wing for his career so far. In 2018, he was named captain of the Seattle Seawolves ahead of their inaugural season in the NAP.
Daniel has represented South Africa at the youth level and made one appearance off the bench during their 2015 Under 20 World Cup campaign.
Having grown up in Cape Town, Dan is passionate about representing his home country on the international stage - something that he looks forward to doing again soon.
Outside of rugby, Daniel enjoys spending time with family and friends - including his twin brother Jesse - enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking Dan Kriel is a talented rugby player who has enjoyed success at both provincial and national levels.
He first represented South Africa at the under-20 level, before making his full international debut in 2014. Since then, Dan has won 15 caps for the Lions and helped them to win the Currie Cup in 2018.
He also played a key role in South Africa's victory over New Zealand in the 2019 Rugby World Cup qualifying series. Dan is now focused on helping Western Province reach their first Super Rugby final – something he believes they can achieve this season.
19. Sam Matenga
Career
- 2019: Tasman
- 2022: Seattle Seawolves
Sam Matenga is a 24-year-old rugby union player from New Zealand. He played for Gisborne Boys' High School and represented the national side, the All Blacks U20s, in 2015 and 2016.
In 2017 he moved to England to play for Sale Sharks RFC in the RFU Championship. He made his debut for Sale against Bristol on 28 October 2017 and scored his first try four days later against Gloucester Rugby Union Club at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucestershire.
On 10 January 2018, it was announced that he had agreed on terms with Japanese Top League side Zama Bears after impressing during a trial period earlier in the year.
which included him making an appearance off the bench against Auckland Blues RFC at Eden Park stadium on 16 November 2017 scoring two tries within ten minutes of each other as part of their 40–26 victory).
Sam has since returned back to England where he currently plays for Harlequins Rugby Club which competes in The English Premiership competition (the top tier of English rugby).
Sam Matenga has been a stalwart for the Tasmanian Tigers since he joined the team as a junior. The 22-year-old center has played in 32 games for Tasmania, scoring zero points and averaging 20 minutes per game.
He made his professional debut with Seattle Seawolves in 2020, playing 12 matches and scoring 20 points. A powerful forward who can score from anywhere on the ground, Sam Matenga is an exciting player to watch heading into his senior season with the Tasmanian side next year
20. Duncan Matthews
Duncan Matthews was born in Atlantis, South Africa on 24 February 1994. He attended Hoërskool Swartland and played rugby union for the school's first XV from 2009-2011 before moving to Malmesbury to play provincial rugby with the Boland Cavaliers.
Matthews made his Super Rugby debut for the Western Force in 2014 and has since featured for the Seattle Seawolves, who he joined ahead of their inaugural season in 2017.
A versatile fullback or winger, Duncan is one of only two players (the other being Quade Cooper) to have represented both Australia U20s and Wallabies at the senior level.
In October 2018 it was announced that Duncan had signed a three-year contract extension with Seattle Seawolves which will keep him with the team through the 2022 season Duncan Matthews was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and moved to the United States when he was 6 years old.
He played for both high school teams in the US before attending Princeton University where he became one of the most highly decorated American rugby players of all time.
After graduating from Princeton, Duncan Matthews joined Wasps RFC in England where he would make over 100 appearances for them between 2013 and 2015.
In January 2016, Duncan Matthews signed with Blue Bulls Rugby club in North America and made his debut a few months later against Austin Elite Rugby Club scoring 2 tries on debut His signing reunited him with the former head coach at Wasps RFC David Wallace who had been appointed as head coach of Blue Bulls at the beginning of 2016.
During his two seasons playing for Blue Bulls, Duncan Matthews won both The Currie Cup (the main domestic cup competition) and The Super 14 (the top level provincial championship).
On 19 June 2022 it was announced that after two successful seasons with Blue Bulls XV, Duncan Matthews had agreed to join Seattle Seawolves for their inaugural season in Major League Rugby
21. Mzamo Majola
Career
- 2013–2016: Sharks
- 2015–2018: Sharks XV
- 2015–2021: Sharks (Currie Cup)
- 2017: Southern Kings
- 2018–2021: Sharks
- 2022: Seattle Seawolves
- 2022: Cheetahs
- 2015: South Africa Under-
Mzamo Majola is a prop for the Seattle Seawolves in the American rugby union league. He was born on 20 February 1995 in Durban, South Africa, and attended Westville Boys' High School before going to Varsity College.
Majola made his debut for Sharks at the age of 18 in 2013 and has since played over 100 matches for them including winning two Currie Cup titles as well as playing in both Super Rugby tournaments.
Mzamo Majola also represented Zimbabwe at the U20 level and is currently contracted with Seattle through the 2020 season Mzamo Majola is a powerful and experienced prop who has represented the Sharks XV in Super Rugby.
He made his Currie Cup debut for the Sharks this year, starting all six of their matches in the competition. Mzamo Majola is also a regular for Southern Kings in African rugby, having played 19 times for them since 2017.
The 29-year-old will join Seattle Seawolves next season after being released by the Sharks at the end of this campaign. Mzamo Majola has an impressive 21 appearances for the Shark's Super Rugby team over two seasons - scoring zero points during that time.
With experience at both provincial and national levels, it is hoped that Mzamo Majola can have more success with Seattle Seawolves where he will be playing alongside some quality players including former Springboks stars Francois Louw and Siya Kolisi
22. Setefano Funaki
Flanker
Career
- 2019–2021: Northland
- 2022: Seattle Seawolves
- 2021: Tonga
Setefano Funaki is a Tongan international rugby union player. He has played for the Chiefs and the Blues in New Zealand, as well as Racing 92 in France.
In November 2017, Setefano signed with Italian side Benetton Treviso on a two-year deal. As a lock or flanker, he is known for his powerful running and tough tackling style of play.
Born in Tonga, Setefano represented his country at the under-20 and under-23 levels before making his full international debut in 2016 against Samoa. He has also been part of the team that competed at the Pacific Nations Cup (2017), where they reached the final but lost to Fiji.
At 30 years old, Setefano still has plenty of potentials to offer both club and national sides; he will be looking to continue developing his skills during his time with Benetton Treviso Setefano Funaki is a Tongan international footballer who plays as a forward for Seattle Seawolves in the National Women's Soccer League.
Setefano was born and raised on the island of Tonga, playing football from an early age with local club Nuku'alofa FC before signing with Australian side Melbourne Victory in 2016. After impressing during her time at Melbourne Victory.
Setefano joined Seattle Seawolves ahead of the inaugural NWSL season in 2017. In her debut season with Seattle, Funaki helped guide the team to their first-ever playoff appearance – eventually losing 2-1 to Portland Thorns FC after extra time in the semi-final round.
Having established herself as one of Washington state's most important players over two seasons with Seawolves (and having been named MVP twice), it was announced earlier this year that Funaki had signed a long-term contract extension with Seattle through 2020 - cementing her place as one of America's top women's footballers
23. Sean McNulty
Career
- 2006–2007: Bahrain RFC
- 2011–2014: Munster Rugby
- 2015–2016: Leinster Rugby
- 2016–2018: Leinster A
- 2019–2020: New England
- 2019: RUNY (loan)
- 2021: LA Giltinis
- 2013: Ireland Schoolboys
- 2014: Ireland U19
- 2014–2015: Ireland U20
Sean McNulty is a hooker for Munster Rugby and Leinster Rugby. He made his senior debut for Munster in 2016 and has since played 26 games for the province.
Sean was born in London, England, in 1995. After playing rugby union at Rockwell College and University College Dublin (UCD), he joined Bahrain RFC in 2015 as a development player before moving to Munster the following year.
In 2018 he signed with Worcester Warriors on a two-year contract from 2019 onwards. Sean McNulty is a professional rugby player who has played for both Ireland and Leinster. Sean McNulty was born in Co Carlow, Ireland on 5 January 1998.
Sean McNulty first came to prominence as a schoolboy with Ireland, playing in the Under-18 Junior World Championship and then captaining the side at the Under-20 level before graduating to senior status with Leinster A in 2018.
In his debut season with Leinster A, Sean McNulty helped guide the team to promotion from the PRO12 competition.
Their first-ever league title - culminating in him being named Player of the Year awardee by both his club and country following an impressive year that also saw him make his international début against Wales at Aviva Stadium on 6 September 2018.
Ahead of the 2019–20 season, it was announced that McNulty had signed a loan deal with New England Patriots based out of Boston until May 2020 whilst he continues preparations for selection for Ireland’s forthcoming Six Nations campaign which begins against Italy on 2 February 2020.
24. Taniela Tupou
Career
- Seattle Seahawks (2016)
- Atlanta Falcons (2017)
- Arizona Cardinals (2018
- San Diego Fleet (2019)
- Seattle Dragons (2020)
- St. Louis BattleHawks (2023-present)
Taniela Tupou was born on December 13, 1992, in Marysville, Washington. He attended Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, Washington before going to college at Washington.
Taniela Tupou did not receive any draft picks during his career and retired after the 2016 season. In his career, Tani played for the St Louis BattleHawks of the NFL and recorded 48 tackles and one sack during his time with them.
After retiring from professional football, Tani now works as a personal trainer in the Seattle area Taniela Tupou is an exciting young player with a lot of promise.
He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft and has been playing for their practice squad ever since. The Falcons picked him up as a free agent this past offseason, and he's started nine games so far this season.
He's done well both on defense and offense, but his biggest asset may be his versatility – he can play anywhere along the line, including at linebacker or defensive end. If he continues to develop at this rate, Tupou could become one of the top players in the league very soon.
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25. Lauina Futi
Lauina Futi is a forward who joined the Seattle Seawolves in 2017. She has played for various clubs throughout her career, including Auckland Blues and Bay of Plenty Black Ferns.
Lauina has represented New Zealand at the international level on several occasions, most notably at the 2015 World Cup and 2019 Women's Rugby World Cup.
In 2018 she was named to the squad for the Pacific Nations Cup, where she scored a try against Fiji to help seal victory in their semi-final match.
The Seattle Seawolves are set to play their first season in 2020 and have announced that Lauina will be captain of their side along with Riekert Hattingh Lauina Futi is a professional rugby player who plays for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby.
She was born on July 10, 1998, in Tonga and has represented her country at under-19, under-21, and senior levels over the past two years.
Lauina is an athletic forward with good ball control and speed which makes her difficult to defend against on the ground or up close. The Seattle Seawolves are currently 5th in the Western Conference standings after 4 matches this season.
26. Shalom Suniula
Career
- 2011: Belmont Shore RFC
- 2018: Seattle Seawolves
- 2014–2016: United States
- 2008: United States
Shalom Suniula is a professional rugby league footballer who plays for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Shalom Suniula was born in American Samoa and raised in Australia.
He began his professional rugby league career with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2008. Shalom Suniula has played for the Australian national team, including at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and the 2016 Four Nations tournament.
In 2012, he won The Humanitarian of the Year Award from The NRL Players’ Association (NRLPA). Shalom Suniula married his wife Leah in 2017 after being together for two years prior to that date Shalom Suniula is a scrumhalf who has played for Seattle Seawolves in the Major League Rugby competition.
Shalom Suniula represented his country at both the under-20 and senior levels, playing 18 games with the United States rugby team between 2014 and 2016.
His experience of playing in America's top league will be invaluable to Seattle Seawolves as they look to challenge for honors this season. Shalom Suniula comes from a rugby pedigree - his father was a long-serving international player and coach who helped develop Shalom's skills as a youngster.
With plenty of talent amongst Seattle Seawolves' squad, Shalom Suniula is an important member of their side which looks set to compete for silverware this year.
27. George Barton
George Barton is a 25-year-old Canadian rugby union player who currently plays for Rugby ATL. George started playing rugby at the age of six, and quickly progressed through the ranks, eventually joining Clermont Auvergne as a senior in 2017.
In his two seasons with Clermont Auvergne, Barton has amassed 29 appearances and scored 118 points – making him one of the most promising young centers in Europe.
With Seattle Seawolves set to join Major League Rugby next season, Barton will have an opportunity to showcase his talents on a much larger stage – and he’s not afraid of taking it on.
Outside of rugby, George enjoys spending time with friends and family – which you can often find him doing outdoors hiking or camping during summertime months in British Columbia.
George Barton is a Canadian rugby player who has represented his country at both the junior and senior levels. He first came to prominence when he was called up to Canada's under-20 side, which competed in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2018.
He made an immediate impact, scoring two tries as Canada reached the final of the tournament before losing out to England by 17 points. Barton went on the play for his provincial side British Columbia Bears during the 2019 season, impressing with his potent running game and accurate passing skills.
The 22-year-old is currently contracted to join Harlequins RFU Premiership club from 2020 onwards, providing him with valuable experience playing top-flight rugby in England – a goal he has set himself following some impressive displays for Quins' development squad over recent months.
28. Allen Clarke
Allen Clarke was born in 1967 and started playing rugby union at Royal School Dungannon. He played for Dungannon from 1989 to 1995, during which time he made 85 appearances and scored 184 points.
After leaving Dungannon, Clarke moved to England and joined Northampton University RFC. With Northampton, Clarke won the 1998–99 British Universities Cup and 1999 Varsity Cup titles before moving to France in 2001.
where he continued his rugby career with Racing 92 until 2004 when he retired due to injury Allen Clarke played for Northampton Saints and Ulster during his career. Allen was a part of the Ireland team that won the 1995 World Cup. He retired from playing in 2012 after 15 years with Northampton Saints, which included five seasons as captain.
Allen has since become an assistant coach at Ulster under Les Kiss, helping them reach their first-ever Pro14 Final in 2018. Allen is one of Irish rugby's most decorated players, having won 58 caps and scored 14 tries between 1995 and 2007, including three Six Nations titles with Ireland and two European Cups with Racing 92 (2004 & 2006).
His coaching credentials are equally impressive; he served as forwards coach on Louis van Gaal's staff at Manchester United before joining Ulster earlier this year. Allen was born in Dublin but raised in County Down where he started playing rugby for Lisburn RFC aged 10 before moving to Belfast to play for Ravenhill Rugby Club aged 12.
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29. Jake Ilnicki
Career
- 2014-2015: Eastern Suburbs
- 2014: NSW Country Eagles
- 2016: San Diego Breakers
- 2016: Manawatu
- 2016-2017: Northampton Saints
- 2017-2018: Newcastle Falcons
- 2018: Yorkshire Carnegie
- 2019-2021: Seattle Seawolves
- 2022-: Old Glory DC
- 2012: Canada U20
- 2013: Canada
Jake Ilnicki is a rugby union prop who has been playing professionally since 2016. He began his career with Eastern Suburbs in 2014 and played for them until 2017 when he joined the Sydney-based side Waratahs.
Jake finished the 2018 season with the Western Force and is currently looking to extend his contract with them for next year.
Jake has represented Canada at the Under 20 level and was part of their World Cup squad in 2015 where they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by England.
His father, George, also played professional rugby league as a fullback for several teams including Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm, and Newcastle Knights between 1985-1994).
Jake married fellow Australian soccer player Emily van Egmond in February 2019 Jake Ilnicki is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Newcastle Falcons in the Super League.
Jake was born on the 6th of July, 1995 in Townsville, Queensland, and played his junior Rugby League for the Norths Devils before making his first-grade debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2015.
In 2018, Jake moved to England to join English side Hull Fc where he made 17 appearances scoring 2 tries during his two seasons at The KCOM Stadium.
On 23rd August 2019, it was announced that Jake had signed a 3-year deal with Premiership side San Diego Breakers ahead of their inaugural season in 2020 which kicks off on Saturday 9th April against Seattle Seawolves at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Jake has represented Australia at under 20's level and captained both Queensland State of Origin sides (2016 & 2017) as well as winning back-to-back Australian Captains’ Shields (2018&2019).
He also won a title with the National Rugby Championship club Melbourne Rebels earlier this year. Jake is an exciting young player who will be looking to take SAN DIEGO BREAKERS all the way this season.
30. Ben Cima
Career
- 2015–2017: Rocky Gorge
- 2018: San Diego Legion
- 2018: New England Free Jacks
- 2019: Seattle Seawolves
- 2019: Viadana
- 2020: Ohio Aviators
- 2014–2016: United States U20
- 2016–2017: USA Selects
- 2017: United States
Ben Cima is a fly-half who played for the United States national rugby union team. Ben was born in Argentina and attended Gonzaga College before transferring to the University of Maryland where he played for the university's rugby club.
Ben made his international debut for the USA against Uruguay in 2018, scoring two tries in their victory. Ben has since been named in their squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where they will play Japan and Australia during group stages.
Ben Cima is a forward who was born and raised in San Diego, California. He attended high school at La Jolla Country Day School where he helped lead the varsity soccer team to back-to-back state championships.
Ben played college soccer at the University of Southern California (USC) before being drafted by New England Free Jacks in the fourth round of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
In his rookie season with New England, Ben made 12 appearances and scored one goal helping lead the club to their first-ever USL Cup title. On January 13th, 2019, it was announced that Ben had been signed by Seattle Seawolves ahead of their inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS).
His debut for Seattle came on March 3rd against LA Galaxy II where he started and played 74 minutes before being substituted off for fellow new signing Jalen Browning late into the second half; Sounders lost 2–1 after leading 1–0 through 73 minutes thanks to an Andrew Jacobson strike just after halftime.
31. Joey Iosefa
Career
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015)*
- New England Patriots (2015)
Joey Iosefa was born on June 19, 1991, in Pago Pago, American Samoa. He attended high school at Faga'itua and played football for the Tigers before transferring to Hawaii in 2011.
Iosefa played college football for the Rainbow Warriors where he totaled 218 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns as a senior in 2013. The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Joey Iosefa with the seventh-round pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season with Pittsburgh, he appeared in eight games and recorded one tackle before being released during final cuts ahead of the 2016 season. Joey re-signed with Pittsburgh later that year but did not make any appearances this season due to injury or suspension.
Iosefa is currently rehabilitating from surgery on his left shoulder which will sideline him for 6–8 weeks; however, it's unknown if he'll be able to participate when training camp begins next month Joey Iosefa is a rookie fullback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He was undrafted out of Fresno State in 2015 and signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent.
Iosefa has played in six games this season, totaling 26 rushing yards on nine carries (3.4 average) and one touchdown. Joey Iosefa will likely see increased playing time as injuries pile up at fullback for the Bucs, who are currently 2-5 on the season
32. Vili Tolutaʻu
Career
- 2012: Maui Warriors
- 2018–2020: Seattle Seawolves
- 2021-: New England Free Jacks
- 2013–2014: United States U19
- : United States U20
- 2018–: United States U23
- 2018–: USA Selects
- 2018: United States
Vili Toluta'u is a 28-year-old hooker who has played for the New England Free Jacks in the American Rugby Premiership. Toluta'u was born and raised on the Hawaiʻi island of Kahului, where he attended Baldwin High School before attending Central Washington University.
After playing 2 seasons with Maui Warriors, Toluta'u signed with the NEFJ's inaugural season in 2018. A powerful scrum half or flanker, Vili is known as an aggressive player who excels at getting his side over the advantage line to set up tries.
In 2017, he helped lead Central Washington to their first-ever D1 national title game appearance – losing 21-14 to Brigham Young University in Provo Utah – earning him All-American honors along the way.
His rugby career appears destined for success; having been called up by both Tonga and Samoa for international duty (Toluta’u made his debut against Fiji in 2016), it seems inevitable that he will make an impact on both club and international level during his time.
He was professionally Born in Tonga, Vili Tolutaʻu played rugby union for the country at both junior and senior levels before being signed by New Zealand's Super Rugby side the Crusaders.
After a season with Canterbury, he moved to Seattle Seawolves in North America's top-flight Pro Rugby league competition for the 2018 season.
He has already made an impression on his new team scoring two tries in five appearances so far this year. A hard-running forward, Toluta'u is looking to add more points to his tally as Seattle's head into their final game of the regular season this weekend against Houston Saber Cats.
33. Alipate Tuilevuka
Career
- 2005–2006: BYU
- 2007–2008: Galwegians RFC
- 2009: Provo Steelers
- 2010–2012: OPSB
- 2007: Connacht
- 2006–2010: United States
- 2019–2021: Seattle Saracens
- 2021: Present Seattle Seawolves
Alipate Tuilevuka is a rugby union player who has played for several teams over the years. He was born in Fiji and began playing rugby at a young age.
Alipate Tuilevuka is best known for his time with Provo Steelers, where he helped them to win the 2010–12 American Rugby Premiership (ARU).
In 2013, Tuilevuka moved to France to play for Stade Français but left after one season due to injury. He returned home to Fiji in 2014 and joined Southern Suburbs Magpies in Sydney's Sh-B-C Super League competition before retiring from professional rugby later that year.
Alipate Tuilevuku now works as a coach with Southern Suburbs Magpies' underage team and also coaches junior players on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji's Western Divisional Rugby Union Championship Competition.
As well as coaching, he continues to play club rugby occasionally for Southern Suburbs Magpies 2nd XV or Galwegians RFC 1st XV respectively Tuilevuka is a Tongan international and played for the United States national team from 2006 to 2010.
He began his coaching career in 2019, coaching Seattle Saracens of the Premiership Rugby league competition. In 2021, he was hired as head coach of the Seattle Seawolves in the National Women’s Rugby League (NWL).
As a player, Tuilevuka was known for his speed and strength at prop forward and helped lead Connacht to promotion to Europe during his time with them. After leaving Connacht, Tuilevuka coached Japanese side Kobe Steel FC before joining Seattle Saracens earlier this year.
34. Cam Polson
Career
- 2016–2018: Castaway Wanderers RFC
- 2018–2019: Seattle Seawolves
- 2016–2019: BC Bears
- 2018: Canada
Cam Polson is a Canadian rugby union player who has played for Canada since 2009. He first appeared for Claremont Secondary School in 2006 and then played for the University of Victoria RFC before joining the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in 2010 where he was part of the 2012 RMC Cup-winning side.
Cam Polson made his debut for Canada against Scotland on 7 February 2009 and has gone on to play 78 times, scoring 19 tries including 3 during their 2015 Six Nations Championship campaign which saw them reach the semi-finals.
In addition to playing rugby, Cam Polson also plays ice hockey as well as being an accomplished boxer having won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games level and one silver medal at the Pan American Games level while representing Ontario.
Outside of sport, Cam is known as an entrepreneur with companies such as Roosters Rugby Limited which manufactures rugby equipment, and Rumble Energy Drink which he co-founded with Olympic Gold medallist rower Adam Kreek in 2016.
Cam Polson is a Canadian rugby player who currently plays for the Seattle Seawolves in the PRO Rugby competition. He made his debut for Canada against Uruguay in 2018. Cam was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he played rugby from an early age with the local club Castaway Wanderers RFC.
In 2016, Cam moved to Ireland to study at Trinity College Dublin, where he played for the University of Dublin side St Michael’s College RFC and joined the Leinster Senior Team on a dual-status deal.
After two years of studying and playing rugby in Ireland, Cam returned to Canada and signed with BC Bears ahead of the 2018 season; during his time there he also represented Canada at the international level twice – against Uruguay (2018) and Wales (2019).
On January 10th, 2019 it was announced that Cam had signed with Seattle Seawolves as their first signing in PRO Rugby – making him one of just ten players competing in America’s top professional league when it kicks off later this year.
35. Phil Mack
Career
- 2013: Ospreys
- 2018–2020: Seattle Seawolves
- 2009–2018: BC Bears
- 2009–2020: Canada
- 2006–2016: Canada
- 2006–2016: Canada
- 2018: Seattle Seawolves
- 2019–20: Seattle Seawolves (Assistant)
- 2020: Pacific Pride (Assistant)
- 2021: Pacific Pride
Phil Mack was born in Victoria, British Columbia on September 18th 1985. He attended Oak Bay Secondary School and played rugby union for the University of Victoria RFC.
Phil made his debut for the Ospreys in 2013 and has since been a regular member of their squad, playing 25 games (15 as scrumhalf) scoring 15 points during his senior career with the team.
In 2018-19 he joined Seattle Seawolves after being released by Ospreys at the end of the 2017-18 season, making an immediate impact by starting all 7 matches he appeared in helping them reach the Americas Rugby Championship quarter-finals before losing to Argentina XV 31-14..
Phil is currently contracted to Seattle Seawolves until 2020 and has stated that if things don't work out with Seattle then he would like to return to Wales later in his career where he started playing rugby union at the schoolboy level.
Phil Mack is a retired Canadian rugby union player, who most notably played for the BC Bears during their time in the top division of domestic rugby.
In 2009, Mack was called up to Canada's senior men's side and made his debut against France that same year. He went on to make 59 appearances for Canada over six years before retiring from international play in 2016.
After his retirement from playing, Mack transitioned into coaching with the Seattle Seawolves where he currently serves as an assistant coach under head coach Andy Friend.
36. Jeff Hassler
Career
- 2013–2018: Ospreys
- 2019: Seattle Seawolves
- 2011-2012,2018: Prairie Wolf Pack
- 2010–2011: Canada U20
- 2012: Canada
- 2012–2013: Canada
Jeff Hassler was born on 21 August 1991 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Jeff started playing rugby union at the age of 14 and has since played for several different teams including Foothills Lions and James Bay AA.
He made his senior debut with Seattle Seawolves in 2019. Jeff is a wing who primarily plays as a center but can also play on the wing or at fullback if needed.
His strength lies in his speed and ability to break through tackles, making him an effective attacking player.
Jeff has represented Canada at the youth level and won a gold medal during the U20 World Championships in the 2015-16 season where he scored two tries en route to victory against the France XV side coached by Philippe Saint-Andre.
In 2018 he earned a selection for Team Canada for their tour of Europe despite not having competed internationally since 2016 due to injury concerns; however, he did not feature in any of their matches.
Outside of rugby union, Jeff works as a software engineer for Amazon Web Services. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music while exercising outdoors (especially running), watching sports events, cooking food from around the world, traveling, reading books about history or business topics, and learning new languages fluently.
Jeff Hassler is a rugby sevens player for Canada and was part of the team that competed at the 2017 Rugby World Cup. He began playing rugby in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta before moving to study at McGill University in Montreal.
There he played club rugby with the local side Westmount RFC and made his debut for Canada's national side in 2010. Hassler represented Canada at both the junior level (2010-2012) and senior level (2012-present), winning medals at both levels including gold at the 2013 Pan American Games and a silver medal at the 2015 Americas Rugby Championship.
In May 2019, Jeff announced his retirement from professional rugby following an injury suffered during training camp for Team Canada's preparations for upcoming tournaments including The Rugby Championships and Tokyo Sevens International competition later this year.
Outside of rugby, Jeff works as a software engineer with Cisco Systems where he focuses on developing machine-learning models used by their customer support teams
37. Brock Staller
Career
- 2018: Seattle Seawolves
- 2016: Canada
Brock Staller was born in Surrey, British Columbia on 24 March 1992. He attended Kitsilano Secondary and played rugby union for Meraloma RFC. In 2017, Brock joined the Seattle Seawolves of Major League Rugby (MLR).
He has made 10 appearances for the Seawolves so far this season, scoring 2 tries and contributing 21 points overall.
Brock is a versatile player who can play as a wing or full-back, which may be why he has been so successful in MLR thus far; his pace and ability to break through tackles make him difficult to stop even from close range.
With two more seasons remaining on his MLR contract, it is likely that we will see more of Brock Staller in the near future - whether with Seattle Seawolves or another team within MLR or professional rugby league altogether.
Brock Staller is a powerful and athletic fullback/flanker who has represented Canada at the senior level. He played for Seattle Seawolves in the USA's PRO Rugby league before moving to UBC Thunderbirds in 2019.
Staller has been very productive for both sides of his career, scoring 307 points over 28 appearances with Seattle Seawolves and 190 points in 25 appearances with UBC Thunderbirds so far this season.
His speed, power, and aggression make him an exciting player to watch on the pitch, and he will be looking to continue his good form when Vancouver Whitecaps take on Toronto FC next weekend
38. Devereaux Ferris
Career
- 2014: San Diego Old Aztecs
- 2015–2019: Life West
- 2016: San Francisco Rush
- 2020: San Diego Legion
- 2021: Seattle Seawolves
- 2022-: NOLA Gold
- 2017: USA Islanders
- 2017: USA Selects
- 2018: United States
Devereaux Ferris was born in Auckland, New Zealand on October 24th, 1994. He played rugby union for Mid Northern RFC and San Diego Old Aztecs before being signed by NOLA Gold in 2019.
Devereaux is a scrum half who has represented his country at the youth level and currently plays for NOLA Gold in the United States Professional Rugby League (USPRL).
Outside of rugby, Devereaux is studying Business at Life West where he achieved First Class Honours with distinction in both his undergraduate degree and postgraduate diploma courses.
Having had an illustrious amateur career, Devereaux looks forward to representing NZ internationally once again as well as continuing to play top-level rugby league professionally around the world. Devereaux Ferris is a midfielder who has played for the U.S.
Women's National Team since 2017 and was part of their victory in the 2019 World Cup. She started her career with FC Kansas City before joining Seattle Reign FC in 2016 and then San Francisco Rush in 2020.
Ferris scored four goals during her time with the national team, including two at the World Cup which helped them to victory over Japan: Ferris tallied twice on assists from Abby Wambach as the USA routed defending champions Japan 5-2 on Wednesday night to secure its first-ever world title.
After leaving San Francisco Rush, she signed with NOLA Gold in 2021 where she continued playing until 2022 when she retired from professional soccer altogether after appearing for SF Rush again that season but not making an appearance due to injury.
39. Peter Tiberio
Career
- 2018: Seattle Seawolves
- 2009: United States U20
- 2017: United States
- 2011–2016: United States
Peter Tiberio was born on April 26, 1989, in New York. He attended the University of Arizona where he played rugby union for the Wildcats. In 2016, Tiberio joined Seattle Seawolves and has since made a name for himself as one of their most potent wingers.
Peter is married with two children and lives in Seattle with his family. Peter Tiberio, also known as "Pete" is a rugby union player who currently plays for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby.
Pete was born and raised in San Francisco, California where he played youth rugby with the Mission Blues club before attending UC Berkeley.
After graduating from college, Pete moved to London to play for Wasps RFC and then Harlequins FC before signing with the Seawolves ahead of their inaugural season in 2017.
In his seven seasons playing professionally across Europe, South Africa, and North America, Peter has won titles including Premiership Rugby (England), Currie Cup (South Africa), and Amlin Challenge Cup (United States).
Pete is a hard-nosed back-row forward who excels at breaking through tackles and creating opportunities for himself or his teammates on the attack.
40. Karsten Leitner
Career
- 2021: Seattle Seawolves
- 2015: Canada U20
- 2017: Canada A
- 2016–2017; Canada Sevens
Karsten Leitner was born in Canada on 4 June 1995. He played rugby union for Seattle Seawolves from 2021 to 2024, scoring no points during his time with the team.
Leitner is now a wing player for RC Toulon and has made over 60 appearances for them since joining in 2019. Karsten is married and has two children - one of which he helped coach at RC Toulon's junior academy this season.
Karsten Leitner is a Canadian rugby union player who has represented his country at the youth and senior levels. He made his debut for Canada in 2017, playing in their victory over Australia A during the Americas Rugby Championship.
He also played for Canada A during their run to the IRB Junior World Cup final, where they were narrowly beaten by New Zealand. In 2018 he was named in Canada's squad for the men's sevens world cup, although he did not feature in any of their matches as they finished bottom of their group stage pool.
Outside of rugby, Leitner studies business administration at Simon Fraser University and is set to graduate later this year with a degree in hand. With rugby now occupying a backburner position on Karsten’s agenda, he will be looking towards pursuing other interests such as running and working out extensively; both pursuits that have become synonymous with him since arriving on campus.
41. Les Soloai
Career
- 2012: Featherstone Rovers
- 2014: Tweed Heads Seagulls
- 2013: United States
- 2018–20: Utah Warriors
- 2020: Seattle Seawolves
Les Soloai is a New Zealand prop who has played for the Melbourne Storm and the Newcastle Knights in Australia. He was also named in the NZ squad for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup but did not play in any of their matches.
In February 2017, he signed with Tweed Heads Seagulls on a 2-year deal. Les Soloai primarily plays as a front rower but can also fill in at lock or second row.
He is known for his powerful running game and aggressive defense which has led to him being described as one of NRL's most promising young props.
Les Soloai completed his tertiary education through online study while playing rugby league full time, an accomplishment that has impressed many observers within rugby league circles Les Soloai is a rugby union player who has represented the United States national team.
He first gained prominence as a member of the Featherstone Rovers side that won the 2012 Championship. In 2014, he moved to Tweed Heads Seagulls where he continued to play until 2018 when he joined Utah Warriors in America's Premier Rugby League (APRL).
es Soloai primarily plays as a fullback or full-back and his main strength lies in his speed and agility which allows him to cover large distances quickly on the pitch.
At the international level, Les Soloai has played six times for the United States and has scored one try during his time with them, making him an important part of their squad.
42. Ben Mitchell
Ben Mitchell was born in Nottingham, UK on 6 April 1994. He attended Midleton College in Ireland before enrolling at University College Cork in Ireland to study rugby union.
Ben Mitchell made his professional rugby union debut for Youghal RFC during the 2016 season and has since represented Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR). Ben Mitchell is a lock who typically plays as part of the first-five side and is renowned for his strength and aggression on the field.
Ben Mitchell currently holds the record for most points scored by an Irish player in MLR with 97 points from 30 appearances so far during his career.
In addition to playing professionally, Ben also works as a personal trainer off-field and enjoys spending time with family and friends outside of rugby matches or training sessions Ben Mitchell is a rugby player who has represented both Midleton College and University College Cork RFC.
In 2018, Ben Mitchell was part of the Austin Elite squad which won the USA Selects championship in Florida. Ben Mitchell also played for San Diego Legion in the inaugural season of Major League Rugby (MLR).
At present, Ben Mitchell is contracted to play for Seattle Seawolves in MLR's second season. Having made his debut at just 18 years old, Ben Mitchell looks set to continue his impressive rugby career into his thirties.
43. Kees Lensing
Career
- 2001–10: Castres Leeds Carnegie
- 2002–09: Namibia
- 2018–19: Rugby United New York
- 2020–2021: Seattle Seawolves
Kees Lensing was born in Keetmanshoop, Namibia on 1 June 1978. He played prop for Castres from 2001 to 2010 and amassed over 200 appearances for the club.
Kees retired from rugby union after playing his final match for Castres against Racing 92 in October 2010.
In between his spell at Castres, he also represented Namibia internationally and won a silver medal at the 2003 World Cup in Australia as well as two Africa Championship medals (in 2000 and 2002).
After retiring from rugby, Kees started working as a civil engineer but now works as an event planner specializing in rugby tournaments and events worldwide.
In 2009, he married fellow professional Rugby player Sonja van der Walt; they have one child together named Hendrikus ("Koos"). Kees Lensing is a retired Namibian rugby player who represented his country in 24 international matches.
After retiring from playing, Kees took up coaching as he felt that the game was an important part of developing young athletes and helping them build character.
He has coached Rugby United New York (RUNA) in the USA since 2018 and helped the team to win back-to-back National Championship titles in 2020 and 2021. Kees is also the head coach of Seattle Seawolves, which competes in Major League Rugby (MLR).
The Seawolves are one of only two franchises from North America currently competing in MLR. In recognition of his achievements both on and off the pitch, Kees was named Coach Of The Year for MLR's inaugural season in 2019
Also Played For: namibia rugby
44. Stephan Coetzee
Career
- 2008–2013: Western Province
- 2013–2014: Western Province
- 2014: Stormers
- 2015: Griquas
- 2015: Cheetahs
- 2016–2017: Sharks XV
- 2017: Sharks
- 2017–2018: Southern Kings
- 2019: present Seattle Seawolves
Stephan Coetzee was born in Worcester, South Africa on 9 January 1992. He attended Paarl Boys' High School where he played rugby union for the school team and also represented his country at the Under-17 level.
After graduating from high school, Stephan studied philosophy at Cambridge University before turning a professional with Seattle Seawolves in 2016. In 2018, Stephan signed a two-year contract extension with Seattle Seawolves that will see him remain with the team until at least 2020.
Outside of rugby union, Stephan is known for his book The Life of Animals which was published in 2013 to critical acclaim and has since been translated into over 20 languages worldwide.
As well as writing, Stephan enjoys painting and cycling – both sports he started playing during his time studying philosophy at Cambridge University.
Stephan Coetzee is a talented rugby player who has represented Western Province and the Stormers in recent years. Stephan Coetzee has been successful with his club sides, scoring 25 tries in 23 appearances for Sharks XV and 18 points in 18 matches for Seattle Seawolves so far this season.
Stephan Coetzee has had some injury problems over the past few seasons but he looks to be back to his best now and could well feature prominently at the Rugby World Cup later this year.
45. Olive Kilifi
Career
- 2016: Sacramento Express
- 2018–2019: Seattle Seawolves
- 2021: Utah Warriors
Olive Kilifi is a rugby union player who has played for the Sacramento Express in the United States. She was born in Huntington Beach, California, on September 28th, 1986.
Olive started playing rugby at an early age and became a prop specialist later in her career. Olive made her international debut for Kenya in 2012 and went on to play 56 matches for her country over the course of three years before retiring from international duty earlier this year.
Sacramento, California with her husband and two children. Olive Kilifi is a Kenyan runner who has represented her country at the Olympic Games twice, most recently in the Rio de Janeiro 2016 games.
She was born in Eldoret and grew up running on dusty roads near her home. In 2014 she became the first female African-born athlete to win an international marathon title when she won the New York City Marathon with a time of 2:22:57.
At just 26 years old, Olive Kilifi is one of Kenya’s top athletes and will be looking to add to her medal collection at this year's World Championships in Doha, Qatar
46. Djustice Sears-Duru
Career
- 2016–17: Castaway Wanderers
- 2014: North Otago
- 2016–17: Glasgow Warriors
- 2017–18: Ealing Trailfinders
- 2018: Ontario Arrows
- 2019–2021: Seattle Seawolves
- 2022: LA Giltinis
- 2013–14: Canada U20
- 2014: Canada
Djustice Sears-Duru is a prop who played for Canada in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta and currently plays for Castaway Wanderers in the Ontario Rugby Union (ORU).
Sears-Duru made his senior debut with Ayr during the 2014 season and has since accumulated over 50 appearances for them across two seasons.
In 2016 he moved to Oakville Crusaders, where he started all five of their matches during their inaugural campaign in the Canadian Premiership – finishing as joint top scorer alongside teammate Jebb Sinclair on 8 points each.
Sears-Duru is an extremely athletic player who uses his size well to power through opposing defenses; this attribute has seen him earn selection at the international level on several occasions including Canada's 2017 tour of Europe and Africa, as well as their appearance at this year's Rugby World Cup.
where they reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Wales Djustice Sears-Duru a talented scrumhalf who has represented both Scotland and Canada at the international level.
He made his debut for Glasgow Warriors in 2016 and quickly emerged as one of the club's stars, helping them to win the Scottish Premiership that season. In 2017 he was called up to represent Canada at the World Rugby U20 Championship.
where they reached the final but were beaten by England. Sears-Duru spent 2018 on loan with Ealing Trailfinders, helping them reach the Challenge Cup semi-finals before being controversially banned from playing in their final match due to concussion symptoms.
He returned to Glasgow in time for the 2019/20 campaign where he started off well but suffered an ankle injury that ruled him out for a month or so; once he had recovered from his impact was felt again as Glasgow went on to complete a domestic treble.
This included another title victory over Edinburgh and qualification for Europe's top competition - Champions League rugby.
As the regulation play ended this year Djustice announced his retirement from professional rugby citing ongoing health concerns stemming from concussions sustained during his career thus far (he will continue playing club rugby).
47. Ryno Eksteen
Career
- 2010–2012: Blue Bulls
- 2015: Western Province
- 2014: Stormers
- 2015: Western Province
- 2017–2018: Free State XV
- 2017: Free State Cheetahs
- 2018: Cheetahs
- 2020: Seattle Seawolves 1
- 2020: Stormers 1
- 2012: South Africa Schools
Ryno Eksteen is a fly-half and full-back who plays in the South African Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup. He was born in Centurion, South Africa on 3 October 1994 and attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria before joining Western Province in 2015.
Eksteen made his first-class debut for Blue Bulls at the age of 18 during the 2010 season and went on to make 68 appearances over two seasons with them before moving to Western Province later that year.
In total, he has made 131 senior appearances across all three codes – comprising 73 Currie Cup matches (35 starts), 20 Super Rugby matches (8 starts) and 10 Vodacom Cups appearances (6 starts).
The flyhalf is currently contracted until 2019 with Western Province but could be available for selection by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus should he wish to call him up for international duty in the future. Eksteen was born and raised in the Free State.
He started playing rugby at a very young age, often representing his school team. Eksteen made his provincial debut for Western Province in 2013 and went on to make nine appearances for them over the following two seasons.
In 2017, he joined Free State side Free State Cheetahs on a four-year deal; however, he only played four games during that time due to injury. Eksteen rejoined Western Province ahead of their 2018 Currie Cup season; with him now back fit, they reached the final – where they lost to The Stormers – before winning promotion back up to Super Rugby after defeating Griquas in the Promotion/Relegation play-offs.
In 2020, Eksteen will join Seattle Seawolves as part of their inaugural season in the PRO14 competition; he is also contracted to represent South Africa until 2021
48. Aladdin Schirmer
Career
- 2010–2012: Blue Bulls
- 2015: Western Province
- 2014: Stormers
- 2015: Western Province
- 2017–2018 Free State XV
- 2017: Free State Cheetahs
- 2018: Cheetahs
- 2020: Seattle Seawolves
- 2020: Stormers
- 2012: South Africa Schools
Aladdin Schirmer is a flanker who has played for Seattle Saracens and Seattle Seawolves in the USA Rugby Premiership. Aladdin was born in North Bend, Washington and attended Mount Si High School where he started playing rugby union.
He made his professional debut with Seattle Saracens during the 2018-19 season and scored two tries in eight appearances. In January 2019, Aladdin joined the Seattle Seawolves ahead of their inaugural season in Major League Rugby (MLR).
He represented Eastside Lions RFC throughout his youth career before joining amateur side Seattle Saracens in 2016-17 while still attending high school - scoring 55 points from 21 appearances over that period of time.
With experience at both club and international levels, Aladdin is looking to continue developing as a player and help lead Seattle Seawolves to success this year Aladdin Schirmer was born in Denver, Colorado on October 10th, 1993.
Aladdin started playing rugby at a young age and quickly became one of the top players in his area. He attended the University of Utah where he played for the varsity team as well as represented his country in international tournaments.
In 2016, Aladdin signed with USA Rugby's national team program and has since been a key part of their success both domestically and internationally. He has represented the United States at multiple junior levels as well as sevens competitions including the Rio Olympics where they finished 4th overall.
Outside of rugby, Aladdin is also a fitness enthusiast who enjoys snowboarding and mountain biking - two activities that have served him well on the rugby field.
49. Harry Davies
Harry Davies is a rugby union player who has represented Wales at Under-20 and senior level. Harry Davies started his career with Llantrisant RFC before transferring to the Scarlets in 2014.
Davies made his debut for the Scarlets against Newport Gwent Dragons in October 2014, scoring two tries on his way to becoming a key part of the team.
In March 2016, it was announced that Harry Davies had signed a new contract extension with the Scarlets which would keep him with the club until 2020.
During his time with Llanelli RFC, Harry Davies won three Welsh Cup titles (2013–15) as well as being crowned champions of Europe twice (in 2015 and 2017).
At the international level, Harry Davies has represented Wales at U20s and senior levels since making his debut in 2013 – he scored a try during their September 2018 win over Tonga.
He is a Wales international and started his career with Cardiff Blues before moving to Bath in 2014. Davies has scored 26 tries in 47 appearances for the Seattle Seawolves, helping them qualify for the playoffs each year since their inception.
He was named Player of the Year by both the North American Rugby Football Union (NARFU) and USA Rugby after he led all forwards with 7 try assists in 2016.
Davies will represent Wales at this year's World Cup, where they are grouped alongside Ireland, Scotland and Italy
50. Ben LeSage
Career
- 2016: Calgary Canucks
- 2016–19: 2016–19
- 2019: 2019
- 2020–21: Toronto Arrows
- 2022: LA Giltinis
- 2017: Prairie Wolf Pack
- 2016: Canada
Ben LeSage is a 27-year-old Canadian rugby union player who currently plays for the UBC Thunderbirds. Ben has represented Canada at the youth level and was part of the Calgary Canucks side that won the 2016 Amway Cup.
After graduating from the University of British Columbia in 2017, Ben joined UBC Thunderbirds where he has made 11 appearances so far this season. Ben is known for his powerful running game and strong defense which have seen him become a key member of the team during his time there thus far.
With several years of experience under his belt, Ben looks to continue to develop as both a player and person in order to reach even greater heights in his rugby union career Ben LeSage is a dynamic forward who has been playing in the Canadian Premier League for two seasons now.
He has scored 25 goals in 18 appearances with the Toronto Arrows and his performances have caught the eye of many teams across North America.
Ben is an excellent finisher, able to score from close range or from further out on the pitch, and he will be a valuable player for whichever team signs him next season.
Le Sage is also good at creating chances for others, whether that's through taking on defenders one-on-one or by setting up teammates with accurate passes.
His hardworking attitude and willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win make him a popular member of any squad he joins and he should continue to develop as a professional footballer over time.
Final Words
. . Seattle Seawolves have had some of the most successful players in rugby union history. From standout forwards to world-class backs, these are the best Seattle Seawolves players of all time.