Justus Tavai

California crossover athlete Justus Tavai played in Major league Rugby between 2025-2026. He represented Rugby FC LA (2025) and the California Legion (2026).

A native of Inglewood, CA, Justus Tavai grew up playing gridiron football. He played as a defensive tackle at the University of Hawai’i from 2018-2021, and San Diego State in 2022. He entered the 2023 NFL draft but went undrafted, signing with the New England Patriots as an undrafted Free Agent in 2023 joining his brother, Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai. Their other brother, J.R. Tavai, also played football through college and has been in both the NFL and CFL. Justus Tavai’s rugby journey started when he joined the American Raptors and was named on their roster for the 2024 Super Rugby Americas season. Following the demise of the Raptors, Tavai continued to play with Belmont Shore RFC in California.

Listed as a tighthead prop, Tavai signed with Rugby FC LA on 20th April, 2025. Brought in to assist in an LA front row that was down 4 props due to injury. Tavai started on the bench for LA’s Rd 11 midweek clash with the New England Free Jacks, earning his debut as a replacement. Tavai would earn 4 appearances and his first career MLR start for RFCLA during the 2025 campaign, scoring 2 tries and 12pts in total. He remained in California following the merger of RFCLA with San Diego, and was confirmed by the new team, the California Legion, on 7th February, 2026.

NARDB Player #1,560

Kristen Siano

Tennessee native Kristen Siano played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Bay Breakers for her entire WER career.

Kristen Siano earned her WER debut when she was named in the Bay Breakers starting lineup for their Round 4 clash with the New York Exiles. She has previously played with the Berkeley All-Blues in the WPL, and played through her time at Rutgers University.

NARDB Player #1,559

Sierra Watkins

Tennessee native Sierra Watkins played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Bay Breakers for her entire WER career.

Sierra Watkins earned her WER debut when she was named in the Bay Breakers starting lineup for their Round 4 clash with the New York Exiles. She has previously played with the Berkeley All-Blues in the WPL.

NARDB Player #1,558

Justine Perl

Arkansas native Justine Perl played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Denver Onyx for her entire WER career.

Justine Perl earned her WER debut when she was named on the Denver Onyx bench for their Round 4 clash with the Chicago Tempest. She has previously played with the Colorado Gray Wolves in the WPL, as well as the University of Cincinnati. She has also coached with the Glendale Youth Raptors U14 side.

NARDB Player #1,557

Jeanna Beard

American front row Jeanna Beard played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Denver Onyx for her entire WER career.

Jeanna Beard earned her WER debut when she was named on the Denver Onyx bench for their Round 4 clash with the Chicago Tempest. She previously represented the Colorado Gray Wolves and was named in an TRB WPL All-Tournament team for uncapped test players. Although uncapped by the Eagles, she has represented the USA internationally in rugby league.

NARDB Player #1,556

Alessandra Bender-Cruz

Mexican American winder Alessandra Bender-Cruz played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Denver Onyx for her entire WER career.

Alessandra Bender-Cruz earned her WER debut when she was named in the Denver Onyx starting lineup for their Round 4 clash with the Chicago Tempest. She has previously captained the Mexico national 7s team.

NARDB Player #1,555

 

Jake Kinneeveauk

Alaskan back row Jake Kinneeveauk played in Major League Rugby between 2025-2026. He represented the Chicago Hounds for his entire MLR career.

Raised in Anchorage, AK, Jake Kinneeveauk attended the University of Utah, playing rugby through his time there. He was named in the All-Conference team for the 2022/23 season, and graduated in 2024. Kinneeveauk declared for the 2024 MLR Collegiate Draft and was invited to MLR Rising, a combine that gave MLR teams a chance to see 50 of the top college prospects in action. Kinneeveauk clearly impressed at MLR rising, as he was selected in the 2nd Round, 22nd overall by the Chicago Hounds.

Kinneeveauk spent the fall season with the Chicago Lions club side, as well as the Hounds Academy team where he earned a MLR roster spot for the 2025 season. He appeared in his first matchday 23 during Round 10, starting on the bench as the league-leading Hounds faced the Seattle Seawolves on the road. This was his only MLR appearance of his rookie season, however he spent the fall of 2025 with the Chicago Hounds Autumn Performance Squad and on 5th January, 2026, the team announced his return for the 2026 MLR season.

achievements

NARDB Player #1,554

Amaryha McGowan

Illinois native Amaryha McGowan played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Chicago Tempest for her entire WER career.

Amaryha McGowan earned her WER debut when she was named on the Tempest bench for their Round 3 clash with the Boston Banshees in Chicago. She has previously played with the Rockford Ravens, and represented the University of Iowa Women’s Rugby Team.

NARDB Player #1,553

Maria Bashmakov

Indiana native Maria Bashmakov played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Chicago Tempest for her entire WER career.

Named as an ‘on-call’ player for the 2025 season, Maria Bashmakov earned her WER debut when she was named on the Tempest bench for their Round 3 clash with the Boston Banshees in Chicago. She played for the Women’s Rugby team while attending Queen’s University of Charlotte, and has previously represented Chicago North Shore in the WPL

NARDB Player #1,552

Rebecca Tillman

Iowa native Rebecca Tillman played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. They represented the Chicago Tempest for their entire WER career.

Named as an ‘on-call’ player for the 2025 season, Rebecca Tillman earned their WER debut when they were named in the Tempest starting lineup for their Round 3 clash with the Boston Banshees in Chicago. They has previously represented the Milwaukee Scylla and toured with the Midwest Thunderbirds. Tillman has also played with Chicago North Shore in the WPL.

NARDB Player #1,551