Will Tucker

New Zealand lock Will Tucker played in Major League Rugby during the 2022 season. He represented Rugby New York for his entire MLR career.

The younger brother of fellow MLR-er Brad, Will Tucker played with Canterbury in New Zealand’s NPC between 2018-2019 and was a part of the New Zealand U20s side in 2018. He moved to play with Otago from 2020 onwards, and still plays with the province in the NPC as of 2025.

Rugby New York signed Tucker in late 2021 for the upcoming 2022 season following his NPC season with Otago. Tucker started 11 of his 14 appearances for New York, helping them to claim their first and only MLR Shield in 2022, marking the first time an Eastern Conference side has lifted the Shield. He scored 4 tries and made an even 400m in possession while completing just shy of 100 tackles. At 6’8, Tucker is one of the tallest players to have ever played in MLR.

Following their Shield winning 2022 season, Rugby New York announced the signing of Will’s brother Brad Tucker for the 2023 season, which would have made them the first set of brothers to play for the team. However, Will Tucker’s performance in MLR caught the eye of the Highlanders in Super Rugby and he returned to New Zealand, representing the Highlanders from 2023-2024 before signing with the Hurricanes in 2025.

achievements
  • 2022 MLR Champion: Rugby New York

Jack Heighton

New Zealand fullback/fly-half Jack Heighton played in Major league Rugby between 2022-2023. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers for his entire MLR career.

Fly-half Heighton joined the Ironworkers ahead of the 2022 MLR season from North Bay, where he had played in NZ’s NPC competition since 2020. In his debut season Heighton earned 14 MLR caps including 11 starts, and scored 67pts including a memorable penalty kick with the clock in the red to secure a victory over the San Diego Legion. He was a core piece of the Rugby New York squad that raised the MLR Shield at the end of the 2022 season. Heighton’s 2023 season was heavily impacted by injury, and he only earned an additional 6 caps for New York but still recorded 33pts in total including a hattrick and 22pts in a single game.

On July 17, 2023, Heighton was announced as part of the North Harbour squad for their 2023 NPC season, and following news that the Ironworkers would not compete in the 2024 MLR season, did not return to North American rugby.

Achievements:

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Week 3
  • 2022 MLR Champion – Rugby New York
  • 10th in MLR Scoring: 2022 (67pts)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Week 13

 

Ed Fidow

Samoan winger Ed Fidow played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers (2022-2023) and the NOLA Gold (2024).

Fidow had a prolific career prior to making the move stateside. He represented the Samoan Sevens side on the World Rugby Sevens Series between 2015-2017. In 2017 he signed with Bordeaux in the French Top 14 as injury coverage, before signing with Provence in the Pro D2 for the 2018/19 season. Between 2019-2021, Fidow played in the English Premiership with the Worcester Warriors. At international level, 2018 Fidow make his debut with the Manu Samoa Fifteens in a Pacific Nations Cup game against Fiji. Since his debut, Fidow has represented Samoa at the 2019 RWC in Japan and the 2023 RWC in France. Between 2019-2021, Fidow played in the English Premiership with the Worcester Warriors.

Rugby New York announced the signing of Fidow in January 2022 ahead of that year’s MLR season. He earned 15 appearances for New York (all starts) as they advanced to the MLR Championship Final, where they defeated the Seattle Seawolves 30-15 to lift the 2022 Shield. Fidow finished the season with a league-leading 12 tries, all of which came in the regular season, and ran for 1,418m gained putting him 4th in MLR. Fidow earned a further 13 caps (all starts) in his sophomore season in MLR, scoring 4 additional tries and racking up over 1,150m gained with ball in hand (1,167, finishing 9th in MLR).

In early December 2023, MLR announced that the Rugby New York Ironworkers would not compete in the 2024 season due to financial issues. The league held a Dispersal Draft for NY and Toronto players (the Arrows announced they would not be competing in 2024 a week prior to NY) and NOLA Gold selected Ed Fidow 5th overall, making his 2024 salary exempt from the Gold’s salary cap that season. On 14th December 2023, the Gold announced that they had signed Ed Fidow on a long term contract through the 2026 MLR season. In his first season with the Gold Fidow was hampered by injury, but still scored 5 tries in 7 games (all starts) as the Gold qualified for the playoffs for the first time in club history, but did not feature in their first ever MLR Playoff game due to injury.

On January 4th, 2025, the NOLA Gold announced the return of Ed Fidow for his 4th MLR season and 2nd with the Gold.

achievements

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 13
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 6
  • 9th in MLR Meters Gained: 2023 (1,167m)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 1
  • 2022 MLR Champion: Rugby New York
  • 1st in MLR Try Scoring: 2022 (12)
  • 4th in MLR Meters Gained: 2022 (1,418m)
  • 2022 All-MLR First XV Selection: Rugby New York
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 17
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 14
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 2

Kaleb Geiger

Colorado native Kaleb Geiger played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2026. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers (2021-2023) and the New England Free Jacks (2024-2026).

A Crossover athlete, Geiger is a product of the American Raptors crossover program having previously played football. He joined New York during the 2021 season but did not make his MLR debut until 2022, instead playing with the NY academy team. When he became a regular matchday presence in 2022, Geiger earned 17 caps during New York’s 2022 season in which they advanced to the MLR Championship Final, defeating the Seattle Seawolves 30-15 to lift the 2022 Shield. He followed this up with another 16 caps in 2023, and a career-high 11 starts, racking up 480m gained and completing 156 tackles.

In early December 2023, MLR and the Ironworkers announced that they would not be competing in the 2024 season. Geiger opted in to the subsequent Dispersal Draft for NY and Toronto players (the Arrows had announced that they would also not compete in 2024, a week prior to NY) and was selected 11th by the New England Free Jacks, who confirmed Kaleb Geiger’s signing on 20th December, 2023. Geiger earned 14 appearances for the Free Jacks in 2024, serving mainly as a replacement. He came off the bench in the 2024 MLR final and completed 13 tackles to help the Free Jacks to a 11-20 victory over the Seattle Seawolves in San Diego, claiming both New England’s and Geiger’s 2nd Shield.

On 29th October, 2024, the New England Free Jacks announced the return of Geiger for their 2025 MLR campaign, where he equalled his career high of 17 appearances for the 3rd time and recorded over 100 tackles for the 3rd time in his career, completing 140 tackles to pass 500 in his career. Geiger was a regular in the Free Jacks’ Shield winning 2025 season, claiming his 3rd Shield and 2nd with New England.

achievements

Nic Mayhew

New Zealand prop Nic Mayhew played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2023. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers for his entire MLR career.

Nic Mayhew comes from a rugby family. His English father John was a doctor with the New Zealand Warriors NRL side, and his brothers Mike & Richard both playing in the English Premiership, where Nic also spent a 3 year stint with the Harlequins. Nic is eligible to play for England, Australia, or New Zealand and also represented both the Blues and Brumbies in Super Rugby. This wealth of experience is a rarity in the fledgling MLR.

Nic joined New York from NPC side North Harbour, starting 8 of his 17 appearances during his debut MLR season in 2022 and scoring the only try of his MLR career in the 2022 Final to help the Ironworkers secure victory over the Seattle Seawolves and lift the 2022 MLR Shield. Mayhew returned to New York for the 2023 MLR season, adding another 7 starts in 10 games to his resume. In total, he completed 159 tackles and gained over 300m in possession (high for a front row) in 27 MLR games, starting 15 times. After spending the MLR offseasons back with North Harbour, he returned to New Zealand for their 2023 NPC season on July 18th, 2023 and following the withdrawal of the Ironworkers from MLR in November 2023, did not return stateside.

Achievements:

 

Andrew Coe

Canadian wing/fullback Andrew Coe played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2025. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers (2022-2023) and Rugby FC LA (2024-2025).

Born in British Columbia but residing in Ontario, Andrew Coe represented the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds while attending between 2014-2018, winning back to back Canadian University Men’s Championships in 2017-2018. Coe represented Canada at U18 & U20 levels, winning a silver medal with the U20s at the World Rugby Trophy competition in Lisbon. He earned his full international test debut for Canada in June 2017 against Georgia and has since represented Canada at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. He is a regular selection for Canada, playing in the November 2022 tour as well as summer tests in 2023 and 2024. Coe is also an accomplished Sevens player, having represented Canada at the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2018, as well as playing in the World Sevens Series between 2018-2020 and representing his country at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Following his Sevens stint, Coe entered MLR with Rugby New York for their 2022 season. He scored 6 tries in 17 games (16 starts) and gained just shy of 1,000m in possession as New York defeated the Seattle Seawolves 30-15 to become the first Eastern Conference team to lift the Shield. He improved in 2023, scoring 7 tries in 15 games and gaining a PB 1,195m to finish 8th in MLR in that stat. After the announcement in December 2023 the Ironworkers announced that they were not able to compete in the 2024 MLR season, Coe joined Rugby FC LA (recently relocated from Atlanta and under new ownership) for their inaugural season in 2024. He scored 7 tries in 12 games during a valiant first season for the club.

Through his 3 seasons in MLR, Coe has scored 20 tries in 44 games (42 starts), gaining over 3,000m and completing just over 200 tackles. On November 28th, 2024, Rugby FC LA announced the return of Andrew Coe for their 2025 season, alongside fellow Canadian international Conor Young. Coe enjoyed another strong season in 2025, scoring 4 tries in 14 games (all starts) to help RFCLA qualify for the postseason for the first time in team history. Coe started LA’s first ever playoff game, a 27-21 defeat to the Houston SaberCats in the Western Conference Semifinal. Coe was an All-MLR Honorable Mention for his 2025 season, his 3rd All-MLR selection.

achievements
  • 2025 All-MLR Honorable Mention
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 5
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 14
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 1
  • 2023 All-MLR Honorable Mention
  • 8th in MLR Meters Gained: 2023 (1,195m)
  • 2022 All-MLR Second XV Selection
  • 2022 MLR Champion: Rugby New York

Jason Emery

New Zealand utility back Jason Emery played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2026. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers (2022-2023), Rugby FC LA (2024), and Old Glory DC (2025-2026).

Emery represented the New Zealand Schools team in 2010, before playing with the New Zealand U20 side at the Junior World Cup in 2012, finishing 2nd. That same year he made his NPC (then the ITM Cup) debut for Manawatu, with whom he played through 2017, also earning 35 Super Rugby appearances with the Highlanders between 2013-2017 before heading to Japan to play with their Super Rugby side, the Sunwolves, from 2018-2019. While with the Sunwolves he also played with Munakata Sanix Blues in the Japanese domestic league, representing them until 2021 when he returned to the Manawatu Turbos. Emery has also played with the Maori All Blacks inconsistently since 2014.

Emery headed stateside to join the Rugby New York Ironworkers ahead of their 2022 MLR season, where he scored 2 tries and 45pts in 17 games (16 starts) as New York ran to the Championship Final, comfortably defeating the Seattle Seawolves 30-15 to claim their first and only MLR Shield. He returned for a 2nd season with New York in 2023, and earned a total of 33 appearances (29 starts) in 2 seasons, scoring 123pts including a high of 6 tries and 75pts in 2023, finishing T-9th in MLR Scoring. Following the withdrawal of Rugby New York from the 2024 MLR season on financial grounds, Emery joined the newly established Rugby FC LA side (relocated from Atlanta with a new ownership group) for their inaugural season in 2024. With RFCLA, Emery scored a further 15pts in 10 games (9 starts), stepping into the fly-half role after injuries hit the LA 10 shirt.

On 13th June 2024, the Manawatu Turbos announced that Emery would be returning for their 2024 NPC season and on 7th August 2024, RFCLA traded Emery to Old Glory DC for the 2025 season in exchange for Salary Cap Considerations (Unknown). Emery returned to MLR following the NPC season, and started 13 of his 16 appearances for the Flags primarily in the 10 shirt after a season-ending injury to regular fly-half Jason Robertson. He scored 73pts from the tee during 2025 with a 65.96% success rate from the tee to take his career total over the 200pt milestone, and he recorded just shy of 100 tackles to take his career total to 390. On 14th November 2025, Old Glory DC announced that they had re-signed Jason Emery for their 2026 campaign.

achievements

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 14
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 12
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 14
  • T-9th in MLR Scoring: 2023 (75pts)
  • MLR Champion: 2022 (Rugby New York)

Brendon O’Connor

New Zealand flanker Brendon O’Connor played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2023. He represented the Rugby New York Ironworkers for his entire MLR career.

Qualified to represent England through his grandmother, O’Connor was born and raised in New Zealand, playing rugby while attending Gisborne Boys’ High School. He represented the New Zealand U20 side as they won the IRB Junior World Championship in 2009, before joining Canterbury in the ITM Cup (later the Mitre 10 Cup, now the NPC) whom he represented between 2010-2011, winning back-to-back championships, and was a member of the Crusaders squad in 2012, earning 2 Super Rugby appearances before returning to the ITM Cup with Hawke’s Bay, where he played from 2013-2015.

O’Connor signed with the Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2015/16 Premiership Rugby season in England, and represented them through 2019 earning over 70 Premiership appearances. Following this impressive stint in the English top flight, O’Connor returned to Hawke’s Bay to play in the NPC between 2019-2021, before joining Super Rugby Side the Sunwolves in Japan for 2020, and a return to the Crusaders in 2021.

O’Connor joined Rugby New York ahead of their 2022 season, and was a stand-out in his debut season in North America. He started all 17 of his appearances, scoring 2 tries and gaining over 600m with possession. On defence he completed 238 tackles finishing 3rd league-wide as the Roosters advanced to the Championship Final, lifting the shield after a controversial playoffs and a 30-15 victory over the Seattle Seawolves. For his efforts in 2022 O’Connor was named MLR Forward of the Year. O’Connor would return to New York (now the Ironworkers) for the 2023 season, earning an additional 8 appearances.

After New York announced it would not be competing in the 2024 season, O’Connor returned to his native New Zealand.

achievements