TUKWILA, WASHINGTON (February 14, 2021) – The Seattle Seawolves have signed former Utah Warrior and USA Rugby League Tomahawk Les Soloai for the 2021 Major League Rugby (MLR) season.
Born in Auckland, New Zealand but raised in Gold Coast, Australia, the opportunity to play sport at the highest levels became an apparent option for Soloai in high school. Attending Keebra Park State High School, a well-known rugby league school, Soloai played basketball and rugby league. BYU Hawaii provided a pathway with his basketball skills, but eventually walked on to the University of Hawaii football team successfully. Playing defense end, Soloai becomes the second Warrior Football alumni to suit up for the Seawolves. During his time on island, he continued to play rugby league for the local side, the Hawaii Chiefs, in the American National Rugby League.
Another move lined up as Soloai headed to England to play rugby league professionally for the Featherstone Rovers. Strong showings during his time in Hawaii
and the United Kingdom alike earned him selection to the USA Rugby League team and competed in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. Although Soloai and
USA were knocked out in the quarter finals after wins in pool play, the time on the big stage landed him another rugby league contract – this time
back in Australia with the Tweed Heads Seagulls.
With Major League Rugby’s arrival, a new code of the game in rugby union intrigued Soloai back to America, signing with the Utah Warriors and playing for
them in 2018 and 2019. He started at eight-man numerous times, including when Utah traveled to Seattle in 2019 in a 27-27 draw. Relocating in 2020,
Soloai was training with the Seawolves and set to debut until the cancelation of the MLR side in March 2020. The 6’5, 260 lb. athlete by all standards,
Soloai provides depth the Seawolves forward pack with the ability to play lock and eight man alike. “I’m excited to be part of a great organization
and the winning culture that has been built here in Seattle,” said Soloai.
The 2021 MLR season is set to kick off March 20, 2021 with the Seawolves on the road to face the Houston SaberCats. TV and broadcast information will be announced soon via our official social media channels. Follow us on Facebook ,
Instagram , and Twitter to stay up to date with all things Seattle Seawolves as we head into the season.
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