Sebastien Zaridze

Italian center Sebastien Zaridze played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 season. He represented Anthem RC for his entire MLR career.

Zaridze played rugby with Capitolina Rugby Union growing up in Rome, and was invited to tour with the Italian U18 side in 2016. He played in the Italian domestic competition, the Top 10, for 5 seasons between 2019-2024. He represented Rugby Viadana 1970 for his first 3 seasons in the league, before moving to Rugby Lyons Piacenza for the 2022/23 & 2023/24 seasons. 

On 16th May 2024, Anthem RC announced the signing of Sebastien Zaridze for the remainder of the 2024 season. Given that the MLR signing and trade deadline for 2024 was 13th May, it is assumed that Zaridze signed before then.

NARDB Player #1274

Alu Taito

Hawaiian prop Alu Taito played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 season. He represented the Chicago Hounds for his entire MLR career.

A crossover athlete, Taito played gridiron football through high school in Washington state and at through college. He signed with the American Raptors as a crossover-athlete in 2022, playing in Super Rugby Americas. Taito entered the MLR on 13th May 2024, when the Chicago Hounds announced his signing for the remainder of the 2024 season to help cover some injuries in the front row.

NARDB Player #1273

Juan Pen

Ohio Native Juan Pen played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 season. He represented Anthem Rugby Carolina and was loaned to the Chicago Hounds for the second half of the 2024 season.

Pen was drafted in the 2nd Round of the 2023 MLR Collegiate Draft by the Chicago Hounds (16th Overall) out of St. Bonaventure, but due to a ‘logjam’ at the front row, was sent to Anthem RC (a joint USA Rugby, World Rugby, and MLR development side for the USA Eagles) for the 2024 season. On 13th May 2024, just before the 2024 MLR Trade & Signing deadline, Pen was loaned back to the Chicago Hounds for the remainder of the 2024 season due to a few injuries that the Hounds had suffered in the front row.

Achievements

NARDB Player #1272

Willis Goodwin

Illinois native Willis Goodwin played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 season. He represented the Chicago Hounds for his entire MLR career.

A John Carroll University alum, Goodwin was signed with the New England Free Jacks in 2023 but spent the season in their academy system, and is now a graduate of the Chicago Hounds academy system, with the Hounds announcing his signing in late April 2024. He appeared in the matchday 23 for the Hounds’ 11th May clash with Old Glory DC in Round 11.

NARDB Player #1271

Jay Renton

New Zealand scrum-half Jay Renton played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2026. He represented the Houston SaberCats (2024-2025) and Old Glory DC (2026).

Renton, a former New Zealand U20s player, played rugby with the Southland Stags in New Zealand’s Bunnings NPC since 2017. The Houston SaberCats announced the signing of Renton in mid-April 2024 for the remainder of the 2024 campaign, and he earned his MLR debut as a starter against Anthem RC on 10th May 2024, during Round 11 when he was named to the MLR Team of the Week for his performance. Renton would score 1 try in 2 games (both starts) for the SaberCats in 2024, helping them to record a league-best 14-2 record during the regular season.

On 10th June 2024, the Southland Stags announced that Renton would return to the team for their 2024 season, following the conclusion of the MLR season. On December 12th, 2024, the Houston SaberCats announced that Renton would return for the team for the 2025 season. Renton became a regular in the SaberCats lineup during the 2025 season, appearing in 17 of their 19 games and all 3 of their playoff games including the 2025 Championship Game against the New England Free Jacks, coming off the bench in reserve for Andre Warner. Renton earned 7 starts in 2025, scoring a 2nd try and gaining just under 250m in possession. When the Houston SaberCats withdrew from MLR to the surprise of many, it appeared that Renton’s time in the competition had come to an end. However, following the shock departure of starting Old Glory DC scrum-half Connor Buckley on February 26th, 2026, he was announced by the Flags for their 2026 campaign the very next day.

achievements

  • MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 11

NARDB Player #1270

Graeme Pedegana

South African back row Graeme Pedegana played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2025. He represented Anthem RC for his entire MLR career.

A native of Cape Town in South Africa, Pedegana played rugby for his high school, Rondebosch Boys High School until 2022, representing the Western Province U18 team that same year. Following high school, Pedegana headed to France, joining US Carcassonne in the French third tier, the Nationale. He played with Carcassonne through the 2023/24 season before heading stateside and joining Anthem RC mid-way through the 2024 season.

Pedegana was able to earn 2 appearances for Anthem (1 start) in their tough inaugural season in 2024, and was included in the Anthem RC squad when they revealed their full roster for the 2025 season on January 21st, 2025.

NARDB Player #1267