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Nese Malifa will join the staff of a second Major League Rugby expansion side for the 2021 season. Having guided Rugby ATL through their inaugural campaign as Backs Coach in 2020, the former US Eagles flyhalf will now assume the same role for the Dallas Jackals.
Since retiring as a player in 2013 Malifa has been busy. After shadowing Mike Friday with the Eagles Sevens, he took charge of the USA Falcons in their 2015 South American trip. Malifa joined Tiger Rugby later that year and also coached the Life West women’s side to a D1 national championship.
It’s not the first time a coach has switched teams in MLR. Most notably Kees Lensing took over as Head Coach for the Seattle Seawolves in 2020, having previously acted as Forwards Coach for Rugby United New York during their first season in 2019.
Malifa’s twin brother Ata has been an active player with the Glendale then Colorado Raptors during their three MLR campaigns. It’s not clear if he will continue in 2021.
