Former New England Patriots player joins Major League Rugby giant

Former New England Patriots player Justus Tavai has joined the Seattle Seawolves ahead of the 2027 Major League Rugby season, following a career-best campaign with the California Legion, which included an appearance in the Championship Final.

Tavai wasn’t the only former Patriots player suiting up for the Legion, with 2020 NFL draftee Cassh Maluia lining up in the midfield. But California fell just short of Major League Rugby’s top prize, with the Chicago Hounds completing an undefeated season 35-17.

The tighthead prop brings 16 games of MLR experience to Seattle, having featured a dozen times for the Legion last season. Before that, Tavai made four appearances as an MLR rookie for Rugby Football Club Los Angeles, including a maiden start against Anthem RC on May 11, 2025.

Tavai has travelled a fairly exciting path to the Seawolves, which included a collegiate American football career at the University of Hawai’i and San Diego State. The defensive lineman was picked up by the Patriots in Mau 2023, but was released before the regular season.

After linking up with the American Raptors ahead of the Super Rugby Americas campaign two years ago, Tavai would go on to play for Los Angeles and California. But a new chapter is waiting to be written, as the Seawolves chase their first championship since 2019.

“I’m grateful for every opportunity that’s brought me to this point, and I’m excited for this next chapter with the Seawolves,” Tavai said.

“I’m looking forward to embracing the culture, building genuine relationships with my teammates, and putting in the work every day to contribute to something bigger than myself. I can’t wait to get started.”

Allen Clarke, Director of Rugby and Head Coach, added: “Justus is a physical, hardworking tighthead with a great attitude and a real desire to improve. We see plenty of upside in his game and look forward to helping him develop into the player we believe he can be.

“We’re delighted to welcome Justus, his wife Selina and their three wonderful children into the Seawolves family.”