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major-league-rugby
Former international referee Glenn Jackson has been named the new head coach of the California Legion, ahead of the 2027 competition. Major League Rugby campaign.
The Legion, who finished as the runner-up in the 2026 season, will have Jackson’s extensive experience to draw on in 2027, following a career as a player, referee and head coach.
Jackson heads to California after starting his coaching career in what is now Queensland Red head coach Vern Cotter from Fiji, before moving to Fijian Drua the role of head coach.
A former judge was appointed New Zealand Referee of the Year on five occasions, having refereed 88 Super Rugby matches and 32 Tests, across a range of competitions including 2015. Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations.
Jackson made 60 appearances for the Bosses in Super Rugby, before deciding to move overseas to continue his career with Saracens, amassing over 1500 points.
The new Legia head coach is the first New Zealander to ever play 100 first-class games before refereeing 100 first-class games.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining California Legion and to have the opportunity to lead the club into the 2027 season,” Jackson said.
“I’ve been fortunate that rugby has allowed me to experience the game from a number of different perspectives – as a player, referee and coach – and you learn something different from each of those environments.”
The 50-year-old is excited about the state of the game in the US, with the 2031 Rugby World Cup on the horizon.
“California has tremendous potential as a rugby state. There is a strong rugby community, an incredible base of athletes and players, and a market that has the potential to become truly significant for the sport.
“What the organization has achieved in 2026, bringing together rugby communities across California and reaching the MLR final in its first season, provides a great platform.
“I look forward to working with the players, coaches and staff and becoming a part of the rugby community across California. We want to play rugby that people enjoy watching, develop players and ultimately compete for championships.”
The California-based Major League Rugby franchise finished the 2026 regular season with five wins from ten games in third place before earning a spot in the grand final with a narrow 43-34 victory over Seattle Seawolves in the semi-finals.
The Chicago Hounds, who won all ten regular-season contests, were too strong for the Legion in the 2026 grand final, defeating the underdogs, 35-17, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.