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It’s been a whirlwind off-season for James Vaifale but the former Utah Warriors winger has finally found his new team for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. He was initially traded to NOLA, then selected by Chicago in the Expansion Draft, then returned to the Gold after no deal was agreed with the Hounds.
Vaifale, who turns 28 next week, has now been traded to the Dallas Jackals along with a 3rd round pick in the 2023 Collegiate Draft in exchange for salary cap considerations. The recent acquisition of Jordan Trainor by the Gold meant that Vaifale was suddenly surplus to requirements. He had recently appeared for NOLA’s academy side in the American Rugby Premiership.
Originally from Chandler, Arizona, Vaifale played for the USA u20s but then opted to represent American Samoa at an Olympic Qualifying event in 2019. He will once again be US-eligible for the 2023 season using the Union Transfer regulation after observing the three-year stand-down period.
