Tavite Lopeti
| Date of birth | 20 November 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Hayward, California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (15.0 st; 209 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Saint Mary's College of California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tavite Lopeti (born 20 November 1998) is a United States rugby union player, currently playing for the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States national team. His preferred position is centre.[1]
Rugby career
[edit]Seattle Seawolves
[edit]In 2021, Lopeti was the third overall pick in the Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft and signed for the Seattle Seawolves for the 2022 MLR season.[2] His MLR debut was against the Toronto Arrows on 06 February, playing inside center for the full 80 minutes. Lopeti was awarded MLR's Rookie of the Year honors in 2022,[3] and would go on to score 40 points in 44 appearances during his two years in Seattle.
San Diego Legion
[edit]In the Fall of 2024 Lopeti played with Mystic River Rugby Club in the American Rugby Premiership, helping them to an ARP title before signing with the San Diego Legion ahead of the 2025 Major League Rugby season. On 16 February 2025, Lopeti would make his Legion debut at outside center, in a 45–33 win over his former club, Seattle.[4]
United States
[edit]Lopeti debuted for United States against New Zealand during the 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[5][6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Tavite Lopeti". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Seattle signs new Eagles cap Tavite Lopeti to long-term deal". Americas Rugby News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "Seattle Seawolves' Tavite Lopeti Receives MLR Rookie of the Year Award". Major League Rugby. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ "MLR 2025: San Diego Legion vs Seattle Seawolves – ARN Guide". Americas Rugby News. 15 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
- ^ "USA Eagles announce match-day roster to face All Blacks at FedExField in Washington, DC". USA Rugby. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ "All Blacks put century on Eagles in DC". Americas Rugby News. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
External links
[edit]- Tavite Lopeti at ItsRugby.co.uk