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Richard Judd will soon be back in a San Diego Legion jersey. The 32-year-old scrumhalf from New Zealand returns for a second Major League Rugby campaign after playing with the Hurricanes of Super Rugby this past year. Judd is one of six senior halfbacks confirmed by the Legion for the upcoming campaign.
Incumbent starter Connor Tupai will return after impressing in his first season in California, and will now have stiff competition for the No9 shirt. The third option is Aidan Konja, a newcomer to the professional ranks. Konja is a recent graduate of San Diego State University but was exempt from the College Draft after being claimed from the Legion’s Academy program using the homegrown policy.
With Matt Giteau and Josh Henderson both opting for retirement, the No10 shirt will be contested by two returnees and one newcomer in 2025. Lincoln McClutchie will be expected to be the frontrunner after playing second-fiddle to Giteau down the stretch this past year, while US-eligible Scottish age-grade international Harris Rutherford should take on a larger role.
The new name in the flyhalf depth chart is Inoke Waqavesi. An All-American standout at Saint Mary’s College, the 24-year-old Sacramento native was the 7th overall choice in the 2024 Draft. He represented the USA in rugby sevens at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
