Samoa-born, California raised crossover athlete Junior Gafa playing in Major League Rugby during the 2024 season. He was drafted in the 2nd Rd (23rd Overall) of the MLR Collegiate Draft by the New England Free Jacks, and represented Anthem RC for his entire MLR career.

The Brown University alum played both football and rugby at University between 2019-2023, and played with the Peaks at the Collegiate Rugby Shield in 2023. He was drafted 23rd overall by the New England Free Jacks, and was then signed for the 2024 MLR season on 25th October 2023, along with fellow draftee Gabe Casey and US-born Irishman Killian Coghlan. Following the hasty introduction of Anthem RC to the 2024 season, Gafa was sent to North Carolina on 9th February 2024 on short term loan to pick up some regular minutes. On 8th April, Anthem RC & the NE Free Jacks agreed to extend this loan for the 2024 season and threw in their 2024 1st Rd Pick and 2024 Salary Cap Considerations (Unknown).

Gafa had a phenomenal season for Anthem RC, scoring 4 tries in 13 games (all starts) and running for 1,062m with ball in hand (finishing 10th in MLR). Despite their 0-16 record Anthem RC, a partnership between World Rugby, USA Rugby, and MLR, put together admirable performances and Gafa was one of the standouts of that side, earning Anthem RC Back of the Year honors and was named to the All-MLR Honorable Mention XV. He was a clear front runner for the MLR 2024 Rookie of the Year award, which he was awarded on 17th August 2024. On 24th September 2024, Anthem RC announced that they had acquired Gafa from the New England Free Jacks on a permanent basis, in exchange for the 2nd pick in the 2025 MLR Collegiate Draft (TBD), 2025 Salary Cap Considerations (Unknown), and an International Player Spot in the 2026 MLR season.

Achievements:

• 2024 MLR Rookie of the Year
• 2024 All-MLR Honorable Mention XV
• Anthem RC Back of the Year: 2024
• 10th in MLR Meters Gained: 2024 (1,062m)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 11
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 9
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 6
• MLR Draftee: 23rd Overall (2nd Rd) – 2023 (New England Free Jacks)