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The Utah Warriors have added a big name to their roster, both figuratively and literally. Former Chicago Bears running back Paul Lasike has signed for the 2018 Major League Rugby season. The 27-year-old powerhouse played 10 games for the Bears during the 2016 regular season before becoming a free agent in May of this year.
Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, Lasike attended Brigham Young University on a rugby scholarship but was quickly recruited for gridiron after being spotted by members of the football team. He was signed as a free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015 but did not make the final roster, instead joining the Bears’ practice roster.
It won’t take long for Lasike to return to rugby mode, though he will have to shed some extra weight that saw him balloon up to 125kg (275lbs). Despite his bulk he is an agile runner with deceiving pace and a decent left-footed goal kicker. He has been signed as a midfielder.
Lasike is the first official signing by the Warriors, though many players within the Rugby Utah Selects program have been linked to the new MLR side. Among those expected to join the team are US Eagles locks John Cullen and Matt Jensen, Eagles 7s cap Don Pati, and USA Select XV tourists Jackson Kaka and Josh Whippy. The team will be coached by New Zealander Alf Daniels.
