New Zealander Todd Thornley coached in Major League Rugby during the 2026 season. He briefly served as Assistant Coach for the California Legion, before joining the New England Free Jacks as General Manager.

A long-time Collegiate coach, Todd Thornley served as Head Coach of the Central Washington University Wildcats Men’s side from 2016-2025, turning CWU into a powerhouse of Collegiate Rugby, producing 5 USA Eagles and 15 Major League Rugby players during his time in charge. Despite this transformation, CWU discontinued it’s Varsity Rugby program at the end of the 2024/25 season, and in October of that year, Todd Thornley had joined the UCLA Bruins Men’s side as Forwards and Defence Coach under MLR alumni Harry Bennett.

Mere months after joining a very impressive UCLA program in January 2026, the California Legion announced their coaching team for their inaugural Major League Rugby season in 2026, naming Todd Thornley as Assistant Coach – Forwards. However, in mid-March of 2026, Thornley instead headed to join New England as the new General Manager of the Free Jacks following the departure of long-time GM Tom Kindley.