Fijian centre Filimone Waqainabete played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2024. He represented the San Diego Legion for his entire MLR career..

Waqainabete joined the Legion from Naitasiri Rugby Club in Fiji, having previously represented the Panasonic Wild Knights and Shimizu Blue Sharks in Japan, and Canterbury in New Zealand’s NPC competition. He earned 3 MLR caps (all starts) for the San Diego Legion in his debut season in North America, recording over 200m gained during the Legion’s 15-1 season, the best regular season record in MLR history. Waqainabete and the Legion fell just short of the Shield following a 24-25 loss to the New England Free Jacks in Chicago.

On July 22nd, 2023, White Plains RFC announced Waqainabete in a ‘player spotlight’ suggesting that he will be spending the offseason playing with the American Rugby Premiership side. He will join fellow Fijian Apisai Naikatini there. On 23rd December 2023, the San Diego Legion announced the return of Filimone Waqainabete for the 2024 MLR season, where he improved almost across the board, scoring 2 tries in 7 games (6 starts) and ran for over 600m gained, helping the Legion secure a solid 11-5 record. Waqainabete gained 75m during the Legion’s Western Conference Semifinal clash with the Seattle Seawolves, which he started, but the Legion were defeated 30-28 as their comeback fell just short.

Achievements

• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 18
• MLR Runner-Up: 2023 (San Diego Legion)