California native Viliamu (Vili) Helu played in Major League Rugby between 2020-2025. He represented Rugby ATL from their inaugural MLR season in 2020 until 2023, and the San Diego Legion between 2024-2025.

Helu’s signing was announced in late December 2019, ahead of the RATLers first season in Major League Rugby. Helu earned 3 MLR caps (2 starts) in the COVID-Shortened 2020 season, but scored his first MLR try in 2021, when Rugby ATL finished as MLR Runners-up after falling to the Giltinis 31-17 at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Helu earned 16 more MLR caps (8 starts) in ATL’s strong 2021 season.

Throughout his first 4 years in MLR (all with Rugby ATL), Helu earned an impressive 44 caps (32 starts), starting all 14 games he featured in in the 2023 season, and scored a total of 4 tries in those 44 games. Following news that Rugby ATL had come under new ownership and was relocating to LA, Vili Helu was traded to the San Diego Legion in his home state, in exchange for 2024 Salary Cap Considerations (unknown). In his first season in California, Helu appeared in all 17 games for the Legion (12 starts), scoring 2 tries and completing 130 tackles while carrying for just under 450m gained. The Legion made the playoffs again and Helu started the Western Conference Semifinal, where the Legion fell to the Seattle Seawolves. For his efforts in the 2024 season, Helu was named to the All-MLR Honorable Mention XV.

On November 6th, 2024, the San Diego Legion announced the return of Vili Helu for the 2025 MLR season.

Achievements:

• 2024 All-MLR Honorable Mention XV
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 14
• 2021 MLR Runner-Up – Rugby ATL
• MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Rd 17