American Samoa

Former NFL running back Joey Iosefa has re-signed with the Seattle Seawolves for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 250-pound (114kg) center can now add international to his CV having represented his native American Samoa at the Oceania Olympic Qualifier event hosted by Fiji in 2019. Iosefa, 29, left …

The LA Giltinis have confirmed the signing of Belmont Shore winger Visesio Leasi for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. An imposing figure at 6’2″ (1.88m) and 240lbs (110kg), it’s the first professional contract for the 23-year-old. Leasi was born in American Samoa and played for Samoa Schools against Australia …

The Utah Warriors have added seven players to their senior pre-season training roster ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Among them are former NFL signings Aaron Wade and Logan Tago. All seven appeared for the Warriors Selects during their fall exhibition campaign. Wade signed for the Cleveland Browns …

The idea of a Major League Rugby Sevens tournament continues to make the rounds. A short time ago we posted Jonny Craenen’s fantasy kit designs and the most recent edition of the Rugby Wrap-Up featured a detailed discussion of what the concept might look like. We’re taking it one further …

The newest American professional competition – Major League Rugby – officially begins regular season play on Saturday. As there was in PRO Rugby, a number of athletes from outside of the USA have arrived to not only bolster the quality of play but also to experience the American lifestyle. In …

A 24 Team Rugby World Cup is ‘Far Away’. Unión de Rugby del Uruguay (URU) President Sebastián Piñeyrua noted to Ignacio Chans of Referi that the chances of expanding from 20 to 24 teams is unlikely. “I don’t believe that it would be so simple, the World Cup is already …

The pools are in. Rugby World Cup 2019 will be as exciting as any before. The spread of teams across the pools is relatively even, albeit there are winners as there are losers. In this special edition of Up and Under we put them under the microscope. UP Pool C It’s official, …

The votes are in, and the changes promised and spearheaded by World Rugby Vice-Chairman Agustín Pichot have been made. In fact the changes to Regulation 8 regarding international regulations have gone beyond what was hoped. The changes not only affect residency but also the ‘capturing’ of u20 and sevens players. …

Set your alarm clocks. The draw for Rugby World Cup 2019 is to take place tomorrow morning. With the tournament being played in Japan the draw is to take place at 5pm local time. For the rugby public in the Americas it will require an early morning mid-week alarm. When? …

Rugby has been given a wake-up call as the FIFA World Cup has expanded to 48 teams. Tuesday’s announcement that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be increased from 32 to 48 participants sees it having more than double that of rugby’s showpiece event. FIFA World Cup Expansion The FIFA …