New ZealandNew Zealand Utility back Te Rangatira Waitokia played in Major League Rugby from 2021-2024. He represented Rugby ATL (2021-2023), and Anthem RC (2024)
Waitokia is a strong runner and prolific try scorer. At the conclusion of the 2023 season he was Rugby ATL’s 3rd highest try scorer (all-time), with 14 tries in 42 MLR games. On 2nd August 2023, MLR announced that Rugby ATL had changed ownership and would be leaving Atlanta (destined for Los Angeles, as announced on 17th August 2023 and would become Rugby FC LA). Shortly after this, on 11th August 2023, Waitokia was traded to the Toronto Arrows in exchange for 2024 Salary Cap Considerations (details undisclosed). He has a good relationship with Manawatu teammate and Toronto Arrows legend Sam Malcolm, which may have influenced his decision to sign in Toronto.
Waitokia’s contract (signed with Rugby ATL but traded to the Arrows) runs through the 2025 MLR season. When the Arrows announced that they were unable to compete in the 2024 MLR season, Waitokia signed with Anthem RC for their inaugural season, a partnership between World Rugby, USA Rugby, and MLR. He was a standout on a valiant Anthem side that went 0-16 in 2024, and played in 15 games (14 starts) scoring 7 tries and running for a PB 1,246m gained, finishing 6th in MLR that season and surpassing his 1,179m effort from 2022 when he finished 10th in MLR. For his efforts in 2024, Waitokia was named as Anthem RC‘s Back of the Year.
He has played with Manawatu in New Zealand’s NPC since 2017 and on 14th June 2023 Manawatu announced that Waitokia would be returning for the 2023 NPC season.