mens
major-league-rugby
Former new England Patriots player Justus Tavai joined Seattle Seawolves ahead of 2027 Major League Rugby season, following a career-best campaign with the California Legion, which included an appearance in the championship final.
Tavai wasn’t the only former Patriots player to suit up for the Legion, with 2020 NFL draftee Cassh Maluia lining up at linebacker. But California fell short of Major League Rugby’s top prize Chicago Hounds completing an undefeated 35-17 season.
The prop brings 16 games of MLR experience to Seattle, after making a dozen appearances for Legia last season. Prior to that, Tavai made four appearances as an MLR rookie for Rugby Football Club Los Angeles, including his first start against Anthem RC on 11 May 2025.
Tavai had quite an exciting journey to the Seawolves, which included football careers at the University of Hawai’i and San Diego State. The defensive lineman was picked up by the Patriots in 2023, but was released before the regular season.
After connecting to American Raptors ahead of the Super Rugby Americas campaign two years ago, Tavai went on to play for Los Angeles and California. But a new chapter is waiting to be written, as the Seawolves chase their first championship since 2019.
“I am grateful for every opportunity that has brought me to this point, and I am excited for this next chapter with the Seawolves,” Tavai said.
“I look forward to embracing the culture, building genuine relationships with my teammates and working every day to contribute to something bigger than myself. I can’t wait to get started.”
Allen Clarke, director of rugby and head coach, added: “Justus is a physical, hard-working stalwart with a great attitude and a real desire to improve. We see a lot of upside in his game and look forward to helping him develop into the player we believe he can be.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Justus, his wife Selina and their three wonderful children to the Seawolves family.”
