California-born Washington State native Olive Kilifi played in major League Rugby between 2018-2023. He represented the Seattle Seawolves (2018-2020) and the Utah Warriors (2021-2023).

Kilifi played rugby through High School in Washington, starting at centre before moving to the front row and became a USA High School All-American. He was a long-time player with Seattle RFC and his skill in the scrum earned him his test debut for the USA as Eagle #447 in November 2013 against Georgia. He earned over 30 test caps for his country between 2013-2019, representing the USA at two Rugby World Cups, in 2015 in England and in 2019 in Japan.

Kilifi played in the United States’ first professional rugby competition in 2016, representing the Sacramento Express in the short-lived PRO Rugby competition (the spiritual predecessor to MLR). When professional rugby returned to the USA with Major League Rugby, Kilifi signed with his local club the Seattle Seawolves. Through 2 seasons with the Seawolves, Kilifi earned 17 MLR caps (13 starts) and scored 1 try as the Seawolves captured back-to-back MLR Shields in 2018 & 2019, putting Kilifi among an exclusive group of players who have lifted the MLR shield multiple times.

Kilifi did not compete in the 2020 season due to injury sustained for the USA Eagles at the 2019 RWC in Japan, from which he had not recovered before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the MLR season down after only 5 rounds. Instead, Kilifi coached with Seattle RFC, a long-time club of his (2012-2020). Kilifi moved from Seattle to the Utah Warriors, signing ahead of the league’s return in the 2021 season. Kilifi earned 39 appearances (17 starts) for the Warriors over 3 seasons between 2021-2023, scoring 4 tries. He was also the Utah Warriors Selects (The academy side) head coach during his time in Utah. Thanks in part to this commitment to grassroots, Kilifi was named the Warriors’ Community Man of the Year following the 2023 season.

In total, Olive Kilifi earned 56 MLR caps across 5 seasons, starting 30 times and scoring 5 tries. On May 6^th 2023, Kilifi became the 49^th player in MLR history to reach 50 caps in the competition. Following the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Utah Warriors thanked Olive Kilifi for the impact he had with the club and although it was not explicitly stated, it is believed that the 37yo Kilifi has hung up his boots.

achievements

• MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Round 12
• MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Round 8
• MLR Champion: 2019 (Seattle Seawolves)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2019 – Round 4
• All-MLR 2nd XV Selection: 2018
• MLR Champion: 2018 (Seattle Seawolves)