Tavite Lopeti
United States rugby union player
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Tavite Lopeti (born 20 November 1998) is a United States rugby union player, currently playing for the Chicago Hounds of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States national team. His preferred position is centre.[1]
| Born | 20 November 1998 Hayward, California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (15.0 st; 209 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Saint Mary's College of California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby career
Seattle Seawolves
In 2021, Lopeti was the third overall pick in the Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft and signed for the Seattle Seawolves for the 2022 MLR season.[2] His MLR debut was against the Toronto Arrows on 06 February, playing inside center for the full 80 minutes. Lopeti was awarded MLR's Rookie of the Year honors in 2022,[3] and would go on to score 40 points in 44 appearances during his two years in Seattle.
San Diego Legion
In the fall of 2024 Lopeti played with Mystic River Rugby Club in the American Rugby Premiership, helping them to an ARP title before signing with the San Diego Legion ahead of the 2025 Major League Rugby season. On 16 February 2025, Lopeti would make his Legion debut at outside center, in a 45–33 win over his former club, Seattle.[4]
United States
Lopeti debuted for United States against New Zealand during the 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[5][6]