New Zealand back row Dan Pryor played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2024. He represented the San Diego Legion (2021-2023) and the Miami Sharks (2024).

An Auckland native, Pryor played with Northland in New Zealand’s ITM Cup (later the Mitre 10 Cup, then the NPC) between 2010-2017. He earned his Super Rugby debut in 2011 for the Blues, but would have to wait a few years before he became a Super Rugby regular, when he played with the Highlanders between 2015-2018, and the Sunwolves in Japan in 2019. He stayed in Japan to play with the Munakata Spinx Blues in the Japanese League One between 2018-2021. Dan’s brother Kara Pryor also played in MLR, representing the Rugby New York Ironworkers.

The San Diego Legion initially signed Dan Pryor late in the 2021 season. He earned 2 MLR caps towards the end of the season and re-signed for the 2022 season where he appeared in 14 regular season games for the Legion, starting 12 and scoring his first MLR try. Pryor stayed with the Legion for their record-breaking 2023 season, earning a further 8 caps (6 starts) and scoring 4 tries during their 15-1 regular season. The Legion advanced all the way to the MLR Championship Final, falling to the New England Free Jacks 24-25 in Chicago.

On December 25th, 2023 (Christmas Day), the Miami Sharks announced the signing of then-35yo Dan Pryor for the 2024 MLR season, the first in Sharks history. Pryor earned 12 appearances for the Sharks in their admirable inaugural season, serving as part of the team’s leadership. He recorded a PB of 358m gained, and over 110 tackles completed. Pryor was named to the MLR Team of the Week for Round 5.

achievements

• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 5
• MLR Runner-Up: 2023 (San Diego Legion)