Payton Telea-Ilalio

Nationality: United States
Position: Prop
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 245lbs
Current Team: Legion
Past Teams: Gilgronis

California native Payton Telea-Ilalio played in Major League Rugby during the 2022 season, and again between 2024-2025. He represented the Austin Gilgronis (2022), and the San Diego Legion (2024-2025).

While playing with St. Mary’s College, the American prop won the Rudy Scholtz award during the 2019/20 season, recognising the best collegiate rugby player in the US. He was signed by the Austin Gilgronis in April 2022 for the remainder of that year’s MLR season, and earned 5 appearances (2 starts), scoring 2 tries. Following Austin’s disqualification and subsequent cessation of operations following the 2022 season, Telea signed with the American Raptors for their inaugural season in Super Rugby Americas in 2023.

Telea-Ilalio earned 12 appearances (8 starts) and scored 2 tries for the Raptors in the predominantly South American competition. Following his season with the Raptors, a then-25yo Payton Telea-Ilalio returned to MLR and signed with the San Diego Legion ahead of the 2024 season. This signing was announced by the Legion on 3rd November 2023. Telea scored 1 try in 14 games (10 starts) for San Diego in 2024 as the Legion qualified for the playoffs with a 11-5 record, where he earned a MLR Team of the Week selection for his performance in Round 10. He started their Western Conference Semifinal clash with the Seattle Seawolves, as they fell 30-28 to their MLR rivals.

Following the 2024 MLR season, Telea was included in the USA Eagles squad for their 2024 PNC campaign, and earned his debut as Eagle #580 off the bench in the PNC 3rd place playoff, as the USA fell 18-13 to Samoa in a tight game in Japan. On 1st November 2024, the San Diego Legion announced the return of Payton Telea-Ilalio for the 2025 MLR season.