Jordan Trainor

New Zealander Jordan Trainor played in Major League Rugby in two stints between 2022-2026. He represented the LA Giltinis in their controversial 2022 season, the NOLA Gold (2023), the Utah Warriors (2025), and Anthem RC (2026).

Auckland native Trainor has been a regular in New Zealand’s NPC competition since 2015. He represented Waikato (2015-2016) and his home side of Auckland (2017-2022) as well as a stint with the Blues in Super Rugby. His entrance into Major League Rugby was announced by the LA Giltinis in December 2021.

Jordan Trainor earned 13 MLR caps (all starts) and scored 3 tries with LA during their 2022 season until their disqualification shortly before the beginning of the Championship Series. This proved to be the last season for both LA and Austin and as of the conclusion of the 2023 MLR season, teams have not returned for those cities. Nevertheless, Trainor earned a pair of MLR Team of the Week selections in his debut MLR season, and was chosen by the NOLA Gold in the subsequent dispersal draft in November 2022. He signed with the Gold for the 2023 MLR season a few weeks later.

Jordan Trainor added another 10 caps and 2 tries for the Gold in the 2023 MLR season, racking up over 1000m gained. He was selected for the MLR Team of the Week 3 times for his strong performances. On July 23rd 2023, Trainor was included in the Northland squad for their 2023 NPC season. Trainor’s contract with the Gold ran through 2024 but he did not return to MLR that season, instead staying in New Zealand with Northland in the NPC. On October 28th, 2024, the Utah Warriors announced the signing of Trainor for the 2025 season, marking his return to the league after not featuring in 2024. Trainor was a standout at the back for the Utah Warriors during their best-ever season in 2025. They finished as the top regular season team and earned their first ever postseason victory to advance to the Western Conference Final, where they fell to the Houston SaberCats. Trainor started all 16 of his appearances in 2025 including both playoff games, setting career highs across the board. He recorded his 2nd 1000m+ season with a career high 1,117m gained and 8 tries scored, while completing over 50 tackles on defence. Trainor finished as MLR’s 2nd highest Meter Eater for 2025, and was one of only 3 players to gain over 1000m.

Following the withdrawal of the Utah Warriors from Major League Rugby after failing to secure additional funding, Jordan Trainor headed east and signed with Anthem RC on 30th December, 2025.

Achievements:
  • 2nd in MLR Meters Gained: 2025 (1,117m)
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 17
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 6
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 4
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 13
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Rd 8

Tasman Smith

US born Australian scrum-half Tasman Smith played in Major League Rugby in 2022, and again between 2024-2025. He represented the LA Giltinis (2022), Rugby FC LA (2024-2025), and the California Legion (2026).

Born in New York while his parents were working there, Smith was raised in Australia where he captained the Cranbrook High School first XV while also playing cricket. He was selected for the USA U20s in May 2020, as well as an Australia U20s camp in early 2021, but both were cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Smith attended the University of Sydney from 2020-2023, earning 6 starts in 14 games for the LA Giltinis during the 2022 MLR season in between his studies. Smith returned to MLR and to a newly established LA franchise following the relocation of Rugby ATL for the 2024 season, appearing in all 16 games (8 starts) for Rugby FC LA during their inaugural MLR season. On December 6th, 2024, RFCLA announced the return of Tasman Smith for 2025, alongside four other players. In his 2nd season with RFCLA, Tas Smith earned an additional 16 appearances (2 starts) and scored his 3rd career MLR try, recording over 200m gained and passing 550m gained in his career.

Having played under Stephen Hoiles at both the Giltinis and later at Rugby FC LA, it is no surprise that on 15th February the California Legion, with Stephen Hoiles as Head Coach, announced the addition of Tas Smith for his 4th season in the competition in 2026.

Cyrille Cama

Fijian born US-eligible back row/hooker Cyrille Cama played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2022, and again between 2024-2026. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021-2022), the San Diego Legion (2024-2025), and the New England Free Jacks (2026).

Born and raised in Fiji, Cama moved to the US in 2013. He has represented the USA U20s as well as the Rhinos Rugby Academy in Sacramento, California, with whom he played in the World Tens Series in Bermuda in 2020, and in the Rugby Tens Championship (R10C) in South Africa in 2022.

Cama signed with the LA Giltinis on a short term contract as injury/Olympics coverage, earning his MLR debut during the regular season as the Giltinis were crowned MLR champions in their inaugural season following a 31-17 victory over Rugby ATL in the final. Cama re-signed with the Giltinis for the 2022 season, earning an additional 12 appearances and scoring 1 try. Following the disqualification of the Giltinis prior to the 2022 playoffs, and their subsequent cessation of operations post-season, Cama moved to Australia to play with the prestigious Randwick club in the Shute Shield competition.

On 8th November 2023, the San Diego Legion announced the signing of Cyrille Cama ahead of the 2024 MLR season. In his first season with Legion, Cama set career highs across the board, earning his first two MLR starts and appearing in 16 games, scoring 3 tries for 17pts and running for almost 300m gained while completing 60 tackles. On November 21st, 2024, the San Diego Legion announced the return of Cyrille Cama for their 2025 MLR season, although he did not feature at MLR level. Following the 2025 season, the San Diego Legion and Rugby FC LA announced that the two sides were merging to create the California Legion for the 2026 season. Following this news, Cyrille Cama headed to the East Coast, and signed with the reigning Champion New England Free Jacks on 19th November 2025.

Achievements:

Watson Filikitonga

Tongan born, US raised center Watson Filikitonga played in Major League Rugby in 2021, and again in 2025. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021), and Anthem RC (2025).

Although born in Tonga, Uatesoni ‘Watson’ Filikitonga was raised in San Mateo, CA where he attended San Mateo High School, playing gridiron football as a running back and middle linebacker while there. He was finally convinced to try rugby by his brother, USA Eagle #470 Lemoto Filikitonga, just before he graduated high school in 2015. He was recruited by Bruce McLane, the head coach of Iona College, to play in the Gaels midfield, which he did.

Filikitonga was the very first signing announced by the LA Giltinis ahead of their inaugural season in 2021. He appeared in two MLR games off the bench during the Giltinis Shield-Winning season, before signing with the American Raptors following the MLR season. Filikitonga played with the American Raptors from 2021-2024, playing in the Super Rugby Americas competition. When the Raptors announced that they would not play professional rugby in 2025, Filikitonga returned to MLR after 3 seasons, signing with Anthem RC for their sophomore season in the competition.

This signing was confirmed when Anthem RC revealed their complete 2025 roster on January 21st, 2025. Filikitonga earned his first MLR start with Anthem RC during their 2025 campaign, starting 4 of his 7 appearances for the Rising Stars. He gained 132m with ball in hand and completed 45 of his 47 career tackles

achievements