The Seattle Seawolves have signed prop Justus Tavai for the 2027 Major League Rugby season. He joins Seattle from the California Legion after making 12 appearances during their 2026 campaign, including the MLR Championship Final.

A native of Inglewood, California, Tavai brings two seasons of MLR experience to Seattle’s front row. He made his league debut with Rugby FC Los Angeles in 2025 before joining the Legion for 2026.

Tavai’s path to professional rugby included college football and time with the New England Patriots. After attending Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, he began his college career at El Camino College in 2017. He then moved to the University of Hawai‘i, where he spent four seasons before finishing his college career at San Diego State in 2022.

The Patriots signed the defensive lineman as an undrafted rookie free agent in May 2023. He spent two periods with the organization during the offseason before his release in August, ahead of the regular season.

Tavai continued his athletic career in rugby with the American Raptors, earning selection to their squad for the 2024 Super Rugby Americas season. He later played for Belmont Shore RFC in California before signing with Rugby FC Los Angeles in April 2025.

He made four MLR appearances in his first season, including his first league start. With the California Legion in 2026, he played tighthead prop and contributed across 12 appearances as a replacement, scoring one try. His season included appearances in both the semifinal against Seattle and the Championship Final against the Chicago Hounds.

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

Justus Tavai, Prop

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

Allen Clarke, Director of Rugby and Head Coach

Tavai now joins the Seawolves as Seattle builds its squad for the 2027 Major League Rugby season.

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