Christian Leali’ifano

New Zealand born, Australian raised Samoan fly-half Christian Leali’ifano played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented Rugby FC LA for his entire MLR career.

Born in New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland, Leali’ifano moved to Australia with his family at the age of 7. He attended the Peter Lalor Secondary College and represented the Australia Schoolboys side in 2004 & 2005, before entering the Brumbies pathway system in 2006. That same year, he was chosen to represent the Australia U19 side, winning the IRB Junior World Championship, also playing with the Australia U21 side. The following year, 2007, the Brumbies signed Leali’ifano to a rookie contract and he spent that year with the Australia Sevens team as well as the Canberra Vikings in the Australian Rugby Championship. He earned his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies during the 2008 season, and played fly-half as well as centre alongside Matt Giteau at the Brumbies, who he represented on-and-off through 2019. During his time at the Brumbies, he also spent time with the Toyota Shuttles and the NTT Shining Arcs in Japan, as well as Ulster in the Pro14 (at the time) on loan. Leali’ifano returned to Super Rugby in 2022 with the Moana Pasifika, and in May 2022 he became the 7th player in Super Rugby history to reach 1,000pts scored in Super Rugby, the vast majority of which were scored during his over 100 appearances with the Brumbies. He played with Auckland in the 2024 Bunnings NPC.

Internationally, Leali’ifano made his test debut for the Wallabies against the British & Irish Lions in 2013, but was knocked unconscious very early in his debut. Despite the ominous start to his test career, Leali’ifano went on to earn over 25 caps for Australia between 2013-2019 and, after switching unions, made his test debut for Samoa in 2023, representing them at the Rugby World Cup in France. He is one of very few players to have represented two nations at test level in the modern era.

On December 20th, 2024, Rugby FC LA announced the signing of 37yo Christian Leali’ifano for the 2025 MLR season. He scored 2 tries and 95pts in 15 games (all starts) during the 2025 season, helping RFCLA to their first ever postseason appearance. He started the team’s first playoff game, a 27-21 defeat to the Houston SaberCats in the Western Conference Semifinal. For his efforts, Christian Leali’ifano was named as Rugby FC LA’s Clubman of the Year for 2025 and was an All-MLR Honorable Mention.

achievements

NARDB Player #1,361

Lautaro Soto

US-born Argentinian centre Lautaro Soto Ansay played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the Miami Sharks for his entire MLR career.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Lautaro Soto was raised in Tigre, just north of Buenos Aires in Argentina. He played rugby from a young age, starting with Club San Andrés in 2007 and captaining the U16 side in 2017 and the U17s in 2018. He continues to play for Club San Andrés when in Tigre. In 2010 Soto joined Chaltel College, playing there from 2010-2019 where he Captained the rugby team in 2018 & 2019, also winning back-to-back Player of the Year Titles.

In 2021, Soto headed to the US and to the rugby powerhouse Lindenwood University, studying and playing with the Lions until his graduation in May 2024. Soto declared for the 2024 MLR Collegiate Draft, and was selected in the 3rd Round, 27th Overall, by the Miami Sharks. On December 20th, 2024, the Sharks confirmed the signing of Lautaro Soto Ansay for the 2025 season.

Achievements

NARDB Player #1,360

Matt Carrion

Pennsylvanian back row Matthew Carrion played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the New England Free Jacks for his entire MLR career.

A native of Carlisle, PA, Carrion attended Carlisle high school before enrolling at Life University in 2019. In his first year with the Running Eagles, he helped the team to an ARP title and was selected to represent the USA U18 side. He continued to excel at Life, and was invited to the MLR Rising combine ahead of the 2024 Collegiate Draft, in which he was selected in the 2nd Rd, 14th overall, by the New England Free Jacks.

On December 19th, 2024, the New England Free Jacks confirmed the signing of Matt Carrion for their 2025 season.

achievements

NARDB Player #1,359

Kaipono Kayoshi

Californian back row Kaipono Kayoshi played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 MLR season. He represented the New England Free Jacks for his entire MLR career.

San Francisco native Kaipono Kayoshi played with Granite Bay, winning a national High School Championship before represented the USA U18s in 2018, and the U20s in 2020. He attended St. Mary’s College in California and was named a CRAA All-American three years running between 2022-2024. He captained the SMC Gaels to a D1A title, and was selected by the New England Free Jacks 4th overall in the 2024 MLR Collegiate Draft.

On December 19th, 2024, the New England Free Jacks confirmed the signing of Kaipono Kayoshi for the 2025 MLR season. He started 1 of his 3 MLR appearances during his rookie season, recording 17 tackles to help the Free Jacks completed the Threepeat with their 3rd Shield in as many seasons. Following the season on December 19th, 2025, NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu in Division 2 of the Japan Rugby League One announced the addition of Kaipono Kayoshi for the 2025/26 seaosn.

achievements

NARDB Player #1,358

Jake Negrete

Californian utility back Jake Negrete played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 MLR season. He represented the Houston SaberCats, as well as the Miami Sharks.

A native of Fresno, CA, Negrete attended San Joaquin Memorial High School, playing rugby while there before attending St. Mary’s College and playing with the Gaels. Negrete declared for the 2024 MLR Collegiate Draft and was selected in the 2nd round, 20th overall, by the Houston SaberCats. He was one of six SMC Gaels drafted into MLR in 2024.

On December 19th, 2024, the Houston SaberCats confirmed the signing of Jake Negrete for their 2025 season. Negrete did not appear in a matchday 23 for the SaberCats and on May 13thm 2025, the Miami Sharks announced the addition of Jake Negrete for the remainder of the 2025 season. It is unclear if this is a loan or a permanent move, and if this was agreed prior to the trade/signing deadline or if Negrete is joining the Sharks as injury cover.

achievements

NARDB Player #1,357

Liam Fletcher

Australian prop Liam Fletcher played in Major League Rugby between 2025-2026. He represented the Chicago Hounds (2025) and Old Glory DC (2026).

A native of Brisbane, Fletcher has played rugby from a young age, but began making waves in 2016. Fletcher Capricornia Schools Under-17s program and the Central Queensland Bushrangers U17 team, earning a spot in the Queensland U17 team. The following year, Fletcher entered the Western Force system, co-captaining the U19s and captaining the U20s. Fletcher joined the Souths Rugby Club in 2020, the same club that has seen Hounds Head Coach Chris Latham and Forwards Coach Todd Dammers represent them. Representing Souths until 2022, Fletcher joined Brothers Rugby Club in 2023, helping the teams to back-to-back Hospital Cups in 2023 and 2024.

On December 19th, 2024, the Chicago Hounds announced the signing of 25yo Liam Fletcher for their 2025 season. He scored 1 try on over 100m gained in 12 appearances as a reserve for the Hounds in his debut season including both of their playoff games, making 12 of his 60 tackles in the Chicago Hounds’ heartbreaking Eastern Conference Final defeat to the New England Free Jacks. Following the 2025 season, Liam Fletcher headed east to the nations capital, signing with Old Glory DC. This signing was announced by the Flags on 28th January, 2026.

NARDB Player #1,356

Vilimone Koroi

New Zealand utility back Vilimone Koroi played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the NOLA Gold for his entire MLR career.

Of Fijian heritage, Vilimone Koroi grew up in Whanganui on the North Island of New Zealand. He attended Feilding High School and joined the Otago team in New Zealand’s NPC in 2016, when he was 18. Koroi has played with Otago in the NPC on and off until 2024. In his 2nd year with Otago, Koroi earned his debut for the All Blacks Sevens team at their home stop of the World Sevens Series, the Wellington Sevens. Koroi represented the New Zealand Men’s Sevens team at 23 competitions between 2017-2020, also winning a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Additionally, he represented the New Zealand U20 side in 2018, while still playing in the NPC with Otago.

Koroi clearly impressed with Otago, as in 2019 he earned his Super Rugby debut with the Highlanders whom he represented from 2019-2023, splitting time with Otago. On December 19th, 2024, the NOLA Gold announced the signing of Vilimone Koroi for their 2025 MLR season.

NARDB Player #1,355

Declan Leaney

Australian front row Declan Leaney played in Major League Rugby between 2025-2026. He represented Rugby FC LA (2025) and the California Legion (2026).

A native of New South Wales, Declan Leaney played with the Randwick Galloping Greens between 2019-2023 and was a part of the Shute Shield winning Randwick team in 2023, playing through injury after entering the Championship game early.

On December 19th, 2024, Rugby FC LA announced the signing of Declan Leaney for the 2025 season. He is one of a number of RFCLA players from Randwick, following Nick Chan, Matias Jensen, and Ben Houston. He was a regular reserve during the early part of the 2025 season, and earned his first start in RFCLA’s gutsy victory over the Houston SaberCats in Round 8, for which he was selected for the Team of the Week. In total, Leaney earned 7 appearances, starting twice and scoring his first MLR try on over 50m gained, completing 57 tackles to help Rugby FC LA earn their first and only playoff appearance. After RFCLA became a part of the California Legion, Leaney remained in the Golden State for a 2nd MLR season in 2026, and was announced by the team on 26th February, 2026

achievements
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 8

NARDB Player #1,354

Ed Timpson

English back row Ed Timpson played in Major League Rugby between 2025-2026. He represented Rugby FC LA (2025) and the California Legion (2026).

Timpson attended the University of Nottingham in England, playing in the British Universities league, BUCS, until his graduation in 2023, playing alongside fellow RFCLA player Ben Sugars. Following his graduation, Timpson headed down under to Sydney, joining the Northern Suburbs in the Shute Shield. Returning to England following a year in Australia, Timpson signed a short-term contract with the Bristol Bears until early 2025, representing the Bears in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

On December 18th, 2024, Rugby FC LA announced the signing of Ed Timpson for their 2025 MLR season. He scored an impressive 7 tries in 15 games (13 starts) during his debut MLR season, completing 164 tackles as Rugby FC LA finished 3rd in the West and qualified for the postseason for the first time in their history. They fell 27-21 in a hard fought Western Conference Semifinal to the Houston SaberCats, a game in which Timpson played the full 80 minutes. For his efforts, he was named as Rugby FC LA’s 2025 Forward of the Year in their end of season awards. Following the merger of RFCLA with San Diego to form the California Legion, Ed Timpson remained in California, signing with the new iteration of the Legion for the 2026 season. This was announced by the team on 30th January, 2026.

achievements
  • Rugby FC LA2025 Forward of the Year
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 7
  • MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 4

NARDB Player #1,353

Jacob Merklinger

California native Jacob Merklinger played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the Houston SaberCats for his entire MLR career.

A native of Carlsbad in Southern California, Merklinger has played rugby since a young age. He played through high school at La Costa Canyon, also playing his club rugby with the Carlsbad Thunder, winning a national Championship in 2021. Merklinger was selected to the San Diego Legion U18 academy as an Elite Academy Player (EAP).

Merklinger joined the Houston SaberCats academy and played there at the start of 2024, before representing the San Clemente Rhinos at the World Rugby Tens in California in the fall of 2024. On December 17th, 2024, the Houston SaberCats announced the signing of academy product Jacob Merklinger for their 2025 season.

NARDB Player #1,352