Utah Native Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Mahu’inga played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 MLR season. He represented the Utah Warriors for his entire MLR career.

The Herriman, UT native grew up playing club rugby with Herriman Rugby Club while also wrestling and playing football at Herriman High School where he was named a High School All-American in 2017. He attended the Eagles Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA) in 2015 & 2016. Mahu’inga enrolled at Brigham Young University and continued his rugby journey during his time there, where he was named a D1A Collegiate All-American in 2022, representing the USA U23s that same year.

Upon his graduation, Mahu’inga declared for the 2023 MLR Collegiate Draft where he was selected in the 1st Round, 11th Overall by the NOLA Gold. On 13th December 2023, the NOLA Gold traded Mahu’inga to the Utah Warriors (Mahu’inga’s hometown team) in exchange for the 6th overall pick in the 2023 Dispersal Draft for NY & Toronto Players (used to select Nate Augspurger who was subsequently traded to the Chicago Hounds). He did not sign with the Warriors however, and on 11th January 2024, Mahu’inga was included on the American Raptors roster for their 2024 Super Rugby Americas season.

Achievements

• 2023 MLR Draftee: 1st Round (11th Overall) – NOLA Gold